דברים, פרק ד׳, פסוק י״ח

The absolute ban on creating idols spans the entire spectrum of the natural world, reaching from animals that roam the earth down to the creatures dwelling in the ocean depths. Various cultures viewed these different forms of life as physical symbols of hidden powers, prompting the strict need to avoid recreating them.

The warning against crafting images of creeping animals extends to figures that might have had historical significance. For instance, the prohibition includes objects like the copper snake, which over the years eventually devolved into a target of forbidden worship itself [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Similarly, the restriction regarding aquatic life is entirely comprehensive. It serves as a collective prohibition against making an image of any individual creature within the vast category of sea life [ביאור יש״ר]. This broad ban ensures that even grand figures like the ancient Leviathan, which served as prominent religious symbols among other nations, are strictly forbidden from being crafted [ביאור שטיינזלץ].