GRAVEN IMAGE (פֶּ֫סֶל, H7181, from the root meaning “to carve”). An image carved from wood, stone, or metal. The difference between a graven and a molten image was that the former was carved, and the latter was cast from molten metal.

The Israelites were expressly forbidden to make any idolatrous representations of deity, whether graven (Exod 20:4, 5; Deut 5:8) or molten (Exod 32:4; 34:17). The second commandment in the Decalogue prohibits the making of such images in the form of anything seen in the heavens, on the earth, or in the sea. All ancient peoples except the Israelites made graven images to represent the various gods. The Israelites were commanded by Moses to destroy all Canaanite forms of idolatry, including graven images (Deut 7:5; 12:3). In spite of this, throughout their history (Judg 17:3, 4; 2 Kings 21:7; Isa 42:17), until the return from the Babylonian captivity, they often succumbed to the idolatrous ways of their neighbors.

There has been considerable discussion concerning whether or not all imitative art is forbidden by the second commandment. In deciding this question, it must be kept in mind that certain figures were in fact made by God’s own command. Both the Tabernacle and the Temple contained many objects that required the arts of carving and engraving, e.g. the two cherubim in the holy of holies (Exod 25:18, 20); the floral ornamentation of the golden lampstand (25:34); the embroidered hangings of the sanctuary (ch. 26); and the bronze serpent (Num 21:8, 9). In the Temple, moreover, there were various figures on the walls, and the molten sea rested on twelve bronze oxen.

Bibliography J. Pedersen, Israel: Its Life and Culture, III, IV (1947); W. Eichrodt, Theology of the Old Testament, I (1961), 115-119.