Jeremiah 10
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Commentaries
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CONTRAST BETWEEN THE IDOLS AND JEHOVAH. THE PROPHET'S LAMENTATION AND PRAYER. (Jer. 10:1-25) Israel--the Jews, the surviving representatives of the nation.
Open source ↗Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel. Or, "upon you"; or, "concerning you" (k); it may design the judgment of God decreed and pronounced upon them; or the prophecy of it to them, in which they were nearly concerned; or the word of God in general, sent unto them by his prophets, which they were backward of hearing; and seems to refer particularly to what follows. (k) "super vos", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus; "de vobis", Vatablus; "super vobis", Cocceius.
Open source ↗Warning against idolatry by means of a view of the nothingness of the false gods (Jer 10:1-5), and a counter-view of the almighty and everlasting God (Jer 10:6-11) and of His governing care in the natural world. This warning is but a further continuation of the idea of Jer 9:23, that Israel's glory should consist in Jahveh who doth grace, right, and justice upon earth. In order thoroughly to impress this truth on the backsliding and idolatrous people, Jeremiah sets forth the nullity of the gods feared by the heathen, and, by showing how these gods are made of wood, plated with silver and gold, proves that these dead idols, which have neither life nor motion, cannot be objects of fear; whereas Jahveh is God in truth, a living and everlasting God, before whose anger the earth trembles, who has created the earth, and rules it, who in the day of visitation will also annihilate the false gods. (Note: This whole passage is declared by Movers (de utr. rec. Jer. p. 43), de W., Hitz., and Ng. to be spurious and a late interpolation; because, as they allege, it interrupts the continuity, because its matter brings us down to the time of the Babylonian exile, and because the language of it diverges in many respects from Jeremiah's. Against these arguments Kper, Haev., Welte, and others have made a Stand. See my Manual of Introd. 75, 1. - By the exhibition of the coherence of the thought given in the text, we have already disposed of the argument on which most stress is laid by the critics referred to, the alleged interruption of the connection. How little weight this argument is entitled to, may over and above be seen from the fact that Graf holds Jer 9:22-25 to be an interpolation, by reason of the want of connection; in which view neither Movers preceded him, nor has Hitz. or Ng.…
Open source ↗The prophet Isaiah, when he prophesied of the captivity in Babylon, added warnings against idolatry and largely exposed the sottishness of idolaters, not only because the temptations in Babylon would be in danger of drawing the Jews there to idolatry, but because the afflictions in Babylon were designed to cure them of their idolatry. Thus the prophet Jeremiah here arms people against the idolatrous usages and customs of the heathen, not only for the use of those that had gone to Babylon, but of those also that staid behind, that being convinced and reclaimed, by the word of God, the rod might be prevented; and it is written for our learning. Observe here, I. A solemn charge given to the people of God not to conform themselves to the ways and customs of the heathen. Let the house of Israel hear and receive this word from the God of Israel: "Learn not the way of the heathen, do not approve of it, no, nor think indifferently concerning it, much less imitate it or accustom yourselves to it. Let not any of their customs steal in among you (as they are apt to do insensibly) nor mingle themselves with your religion." Note, It ill becomes those that are taught of God to learn the way of the heathen, and to think of worshipping the true God with such rites and ceremonies as they used in the worship of their false gods. See Deu 12:29-31. It was the way of the heathen to worship the host of heaven, the sun, moon, and stars; to them they gave divine honours, and from them they expected divine favours, and therefore, according as the signs of heaven were, whether they were auspicious or ominous, they thought themselves countenanced or discountenanced by their deities, which made them observe those signs, the eclipses of the sun and moon, the conjunctions and oppositions of the plan…
Open source ↗10:1-25 This poetic passage has three parts. The first is a contrast between the Lord and pagan idols (10:1-16). The second is a two-part reflection on the destruction that lay ahead for the idol worshipers (10:17-18, 19-22). The third part is a prayer for God to act with restraint in the coming judgment and not to allow the pagan nations to go unpunished (10:23-25). 10:1-16 This poetic passage severely criticizes idol worship and strongly affirms the unity and majesty of the one true God. It is neither a rational discussion of divinity in nature nor a carefully crafted statement about God’s attributes; rather, it is a poem about the foolishness of worshiping idols that the worshipers themselves have made, along with vigorous affirmations of faith that boldly declare who God is. 10:1 As usual, Jeremiah identified the source of his message and urged his audience not simply to hear, but to pay careful attention to the word of the Lord. In Hebrew thought, the person who does not respond has not truly heard.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God לָמַד (lâmad, H3925) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… חָתַת (châthath, H2865) — properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or… אוֹת (ʼôwth, H226) — a signal (literally or figuratively), as aflag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy,… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… הֵם (hêm, H1992) — they (only used when emphatic)
Open source ↗חֻקָּה (chuqqâh, H2708) — {an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)} עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… הֶבֶל (hebel, H1892) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as… כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) יַעַר (yaʻar, H3293) — a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees) מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), חָרָשׁ (chârâsh, H2796) — a fabricator or any material מַעֲצָד (maʻătsâd, H4621) — an axe
Open source ↗יָפָה (yâphâh, H3302) — properly, to be bright, i.e. (by implication) beautiful כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… מַסְמֵר (maçmêr, H4548) — a peg (as bristling from the surface) מַקָּבָה (maqqâbâh, H4717) — properly, a perforatrix, i.e. a hammer (as piercing) פּוּק (pûwq, H6328) — to waver
Open source ↗מִקְשָׁה (miqshâh, H4749) — rounded work, i.e. moulded by hammering (repousse) תֹּמֶר (tômer, H8560) — a palm trunk דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative צָעַד (tsâʻad, H6805) — to pace, i.e. step regularly; (upward) to mount; (along) to march; (down and causatively)… יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten רָעַע (râʻaʻ, H7489) — properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good… יָטַב (yâṭab, H3190) — to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy,…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… גְּבוּרָה (gᵉbûwrâh, H1369) — force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory
Open source ↗יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… יָאָה (yâʼâh, H2969) — to be suitable חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) מַלְכוּת (malkûwth, H4438) — a rule; concretely, a dominion
Open source ↗אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first בָּעַר (bâʻar, H1197) — to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish כָּסַל (kâçal, H3688) — properly, to be fat, i.e. (figuratively) silly עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) מוּסָר (mûwçâr, H4148) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint הֶבֶל (hebel, H1892) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as…
Open source ↗כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money רָקַע (râqaʻ, H7554) — to pound the earth (as a sign of passion); by analogy to expand (by hammering); by… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) תַּרְשִׁישׁ (Tarshîysh, H8659) — Tarshish, a place on the Mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if… זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky אוּפָז (ʼÛwphâz, H210) — Uphaz, a famous gold region מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… חָרָשׁ (chârâsh, H2796) — a fabricator or any material יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), צָרַף (tsâraph, H6884) — to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally or figuratively) תְּכֵלֶת (tᵉkêleth, H8504) — the cerulean mussel, i.e. the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith אַרְגָּמָן (ʼargâmân, H713) — purple (the color or the dyed stuff) לְבוּשׁ (lᵉbûwsh, H3830) — a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֶמֶת (ʼemeth, H571) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king קֶצֶף (qetseph, H7110) — a splinter (as chipped off); figuratively, rage or strife אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) רָעַשׁ (râʻash, H7493) — to undulate (as the earth, the sky, etc.; also a field of grain), particularly through… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… כּוּל (kûwl, H3557) — properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses) זַעַם (zaʻam, H2195) — strictly froth at the mouth, i.e. (figuratively) fury (especially of God's displeasure…
Open source ↗דֵּן (dên, H1836) — this אֲמַר (ʼămar, H560) — {to say (used with great latitude)} אֱלָהּ (ʼĕlâhh, H426) — God לָא (lâʼ, H3809) — {not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no;} עֲבַד (ʻăbad, H5648) — to do, make, prepare, keep, etc. שָׁמַיִן (shâmayin, H8065) — {the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… אֲרַק (ʼăraq, H778) — the earth אֲבַד (ʼăbad, H7) — {properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative,… אֲרַע (ʼăraʻ, H772) — the earth; by implication (figuratively) low תְּחוֹת (tᵉchôwth, H8460) — beneath אֵלֶּה (ʼêlleh, H429) — {these or those}
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,… כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… תֵּבֵל (têbêl, H8398) — the earth (as moist and therefore inhabited); by extension, the globe; by implication,… חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… תָּבוּן (tâbûwn, H8394) — intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound הָמוֹן (hâmôwn, H1995) — a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… נָשִׂיא (nâsîyʼ, H5387) — properly, an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… קָצֶה (qâtseh, H7097) — an extremity אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application בָּרָק (bârâq, H1300) — lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword מָטַר (mâṭar, H4306) — rain יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,…
Open source ↗אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) בָּעַר (bâʻar, H1197) — to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge צָרַף (tsâraph, H6884) — to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally or figuratively) יָבֵשׁ (yâbêsh, H3001) — to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither… פֶּסֶל (peçel, H6459) — an idol נֶסֶךְ (neçek, H5262) — a libation; also a cast idol שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial) רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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then hear the word of the LORD, O remnant of Judah! This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you are determined to go to Egypt and reside there,
And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as the true word of God—the word which is now at work in you who believe.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land!
Now, therefore, hear the word of the LORD. You say: ‘Do not prophesy against Israel; do not preach against the house of Isaac.’
Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all you families of the house of Israel.
“Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God.
Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!
saying, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, who sits on the throne of David—you and your officials and your people who enter these gates.
Therefore hear the word of the LORD, O scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.