Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 49 of 107
Which is the second commandment?
A.The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven 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: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Which Bible passages support this answer?
The Westminster Assembly attached these Scripture proofs to answer 49. Read them together and ask what each one shows about the answer.
- Exodus 20:4-6
4“You shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is on the earth beneath or that is in the water below. 5You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God, responding to the transgression of fathers by dealing with children to the third and fourth generations of those who reject me, 6and showing covenant faithfulness to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. (NET)
What does this answer mean?
The second commandment forbids making graven images to bow down to or serve. It gives a reason: the Lord is a jealous God, who visits the iniquity of those who hate him and shows mercy to thousands who love him and keep his commandments. The first commandment says whom to worship; the second concerns how he is worshiped.
What can we ask our children?
- Can you say the start of the second commandment?
- What does it mean that God is 'jealous' for his people?
- How many generations receive God's mercy, according to this commandment?
Can I print this question?
Yes. Every printable here is free for home, church and co-op use. Press Print on any of these pages for a clean sheet.
- Memory card for question 49 (fold-over card, question on the front)
- Copywork page for question 49 (trace, then copy)
- Memory cards for questions 41 to 50
- Copywork for questions 41 to 50
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Text: The Shorter Catechism, constitutional text of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Public domain (1647). Proof references: Scripture proofs added by the Westminster Assembly, as transcribed by The Westminster Standard. Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible; see permissions.
Checked against a second edition on November 15, 2026. Explanation and questions by Household Theology Press. Last updated November 15, 2026.