thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I Jehovah thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate me,
Every gesture and form of idolatrous service is banned by this command. God will have His revenge on those who scorn His honour and give it to dead things instead.
AI summary
Both commandments, against other gods and against images, forbid the same sin: worshipping the invisible God under a visible form, which changes His glory into a lie. God is not merely a zealous avenger; He is jealous, refusing to share His honour with another, and directs His hot anger against those who hate Him.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 20:5-6
Bowing, kneeling, lifting hands or eyes to an image, all of it is worship forbidden here, whether by sacrifice, prayer, or trust. God is jealous of His honour as a man enraged at adultery; He will not share His glory with carved stone, and treats such rebellion as high treason against Him.
AI summary