Deuteronomy 4:17

17 The similitude of any beasts, that are upon the earth, or of birds, that fly under heaven,

Deuteronomy 4:17 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:17

The likeness of any beast that is on the earth
As there are scarce any but the likeness of them has been made and worshipped, or the creatures themselves, as the ox by the Egyptians, the sheep by the Thebans, the goat by the Mendesians, and others by different people:

the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air;
as the hawk, and the bird called Ibis, and another by the name of Cneph by the Egyptians, and the eagle by others.

Deuteronomy 4:17 In-Context

15 Keep therefore your souls carefully. You saw not any similitude in the day that the Lord God spoke to you in Horeb from the midst of the fire:

16 Lest perhaps being deceived you might make you a graven similitude, or image of male or female,

17 The similitude of any beasts, that are upon the earth, or of birds, that fly under heaven,

18 Or of creeping things, that move on the earth, or of fishes, that abide in the waters under the earth:

19 Lest perhaps lifting up thy eyes to heaven, thou see the sun and the moon, and all the stars of heaven, and being deceived by error thou adore and serve them, which the Lord thy God created for the service of all the nations, that are under heaven.