Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Red-State Secession's avatar

The reference to the second commandment is misleading. Reading the whole paragraph of the commandment shows that it's not the creation of images that is forbidden, but bowing down to and worshipping images, and making images for that purpose . It's a ban on idolatry. Indeed, God commanded people to carve many items, including Tabernacle & Temple accoutrements such as the Menorah, the altar, the pool (sea), swords, etc.

Here's the first two commandments, in Exodus 20 (ESV):

1 And God spoke all these words, saying,

2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

3 “You shall have no other gods before me.

4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Grok adds:

Tabernacle:

Cherubim (heavenly beings): Two golden cherubim on the mercy seat/Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:18-22); additional cherubim embroidered/woven into the inner veil and curtains (Exodus 26:1, 31).

Menorah (lampstand): Hammered gold with almond blossoms, buds, flowers, and branches (Exodus 25:31-40; 37:17-24)—highly detailed botanical imagery.

Other elements: Embroidered designs on curtains; the High Priest’s garments included pomegranates (blue, purple, scarlet) alternating with golden bells around the hem (Exodus 28:33-34).

Key Examples from Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 6–7; 2 Chronicles 3–4)

Cherubim: Large olive-wood cherubim in the inner sanctuary; carved figures of cherubim on walls throughout the inner and outer sanctuaries, alongside palm trees and open flowers (1 Kings 6:23-29).

Walls and panels: Carved with cherubim, palm trees, open flowers, lions, and wreaths (1 Kings 6:29, 35; 7:36).

Bronze Sea and stands: Twelve oxen supporting the large basin (“sea”); cherubim, lions, palm trees, and wreaths engraved on the movable stands and panels (1 Kings 7:23-29, 36).

Pomegranates: Hundreds of ornamental pomegranates on the capitals of the two bronze pillars (Jachin and Boaz)—specifically 400 in total (1 Kings 7:18-20, 42; 2 Chronicles 4:13). Also on the High Priest’s robe.

Golden vine with grape clusters: A large, prominent golden vine (or vines) with massive grape clusters (some described as tall as a man) hung as a major decoration, notably over/above the entrance to the sanctuary or on the façade. People added golden leaves, berries, or clusters as offerings, and it was a striking visual feature.

These were all commanded or approved by God as part of proper worship and temple decoration—symbolic, beautiful, and instructional, but never bowed to or served as deities. Other biblical art includes the bronze serpent (Numbers 21:8-9, later destroyed when it became an idol—2 Kings 18:4)

Matthew Thompson's avatar

I’m glad this is back up. I was halfway through when it disappeared last time!

13 more comments...

No posts

Ready for more?