What exactly is a graven image and how does it differ from an idol or false god?

Technically a graven image is anything carved.. I mean if you wanna go by the dictionary's definition of just ';graven';. So that would mean statues of George Washington or anything carved would technically be a graven image which the bible forbids. However, the actual definition of ';graven image'; is anything that deeply impacts your beliefs/thoughts/actions. Basically, it's something you've pretty much made into a god.





So I... I guess what I'm really asking is why are the first and second commandments separated rather than combined when ultimately a graven image is a false god, and thus the two commandments are saying the same thing -- ';have no gods before Me.';What exactly is a graven image and how does it differ from an idol or false god?
In the Scriptures, Hebrew words referring to idols often stress worthlessness, or they are terms of contempt. Among these are words rendered “carved or graven image” (literally, something carved out); “molten statue, image, or idol” (something cast or poured out); “horrible idol”; “vain idol” (literally, vanity); and “dungy idol.” The Greek word ei′do‧lon is rendered “idol.”





Cardinal Gibbons may distinguish between an image and an idol and insist that an image is merely an aid to worship, but when pilgrimages are made to a particular image, then the image has taken on a value of its own, in direct violation of God’s command against giving honor to a graven thing.What exactly is a graven image and how does it differ from an idol or false god?
Basically this commandment was meant to stop people from making images of God in the form of animals, or forces of nature, ect.
The making is equally forbidden as the worshipping.