The art of carving or modeling in relief or in the round. The second commandment’s prohibition of graven (carved) images (Exod 20:4) is thought to have inhibited development of this art among the Hebrews. Most standing images were understood as idols representing foreign gods (including Aaron’s golden calf (Exod 32) and Jeroboam’s calves (1Kgs 12:28-30), but the cherubim in the inner sanctuary of the Temple (1Kgs 6:23-28) were a notable exception. The “sculptured stones” near Gilgal (Judg 3:19; Judg 3:26) may represent memorial stones or carved images in an open-air sanctuary (Josh 2:20).
