Jeremiah 10:7

7 Who should not fear You, King of the nations?^[a] It is what You deserve. For among all the wise people of the nations and among all their kingdoms, there is no one like You.

Jeremiah 10:7 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 10:7

Who would not fear thee, O King of nations?
&c.] Not that the fear of him among the nations was general, or that he was owned by them as their King; but inasmuch as of right he was their King, so he ought to have been feared and reverenced by them; and it was an instance of great stupidity and ingratitude not to do it. The Targum renders it,

``King of all people;''

and the Syriac version, "King of all worlds"; some reference seems to be had to this passage in ( Revelation 15:3 Revelation 15:4 ) , where, instead of "King of nations", the Lord is called "King of saints"; and there refers to a time when he will be feared, that is, worshipped and served by all nations, as he ought to be: for to thee doth it appertain;
that is, fear belongs to him, it is his due; and this, with keeping the commandments of God, is the whole duty of man. The Vulgate Latin version is, "thine is the glory"; honour or praise, as the Syriac version; and so Jarchi interprets it of beauty or glory; but the Targum,

``thine is the kingdom;''

and so Kimchi; and to which agrees the Arabic version. Forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their
kingdoms, there is none like unto thee;
that is, among all the wise kings of the nations, and all their wise counsellors, there is none like unto God for wisdom, or for glory and majesty; there is none of them that has such a kingdom as he has, or that governs it as he does; and as all their power and government, so all that wisdom by which they manage their political affairs, are from him.

Jeremiah 10:7 In-Context

5 Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them for they can do no harm- and they cannot do any good.

6 Lord, there is no one like You. You are great; Your name is great in power.

7 Who should not fear You, King of the nations? It is what You deserve. For among all the wise people of the nations and among all their kingdoms, there is no one like You.

8 They are both senseless and foolish, instructed by worthless idols [made of] wood!

9 Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz from the hands of a goldsmith, the work of a craftsman. Their clothing is blue and purple, all the work of skilled artisans.

Footnotes

• [a]. Jr 8:19; Ps 22:28; 47:7-8