Jeremiah 10:8

8 {At the same time} they are stupid and foolish, [in the] instruction of idols, it [is] wood.

Jeremiah 10:8 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 10:8

But they are altogether brutish and foolish
In comparison of the Lord, there is no knowledge and wisdom in them, this is a certain fact; they are verily brutish and foolish; or they are one and all so, there is not a wise man among them: or, "in one thing they are brutish" ^F18; namely, in their idolatry; however wise they may be in other respects, in this they are foolish: or, to give no more instances of their brutishness ^F19 and folly, this one is sufficient, even what follows, the stock is a doctrine of vanities;
or what they teach persons, as to worship the trunk of a tree, or any idol of metal, or of wood, is a most vain and foolish thing, and argues gross stupidity and folly, and proves them to be brutish, and without understanding.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 (wreby txabw) "in hoc uno Munster", Tigurine version; "et certe in una quadem re obbrutescunt", Piscator. So Jarchi and Abarbinel.
F19 The Talmudists seem to take the word (reb) to have the signification of burning; for the sense of these words being asked, it is replied, there is one thing that burns the wicked in hell; what is it? idolatry; as it is here written, "a doctrine of vanities is the stock."

Jeremiah 10:8 In-Context

6 There is none like you, [O] Yahweh, you [are] great and your name [is] great in might.

7 Who would not revere you, O king of the nations? For you it is fitting. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like you.

8 {At the same time} they are stupid and foolish, [in the] instruction of idols, it [is] wood.

9 Silver beaten from Tarshish is brought, and gold from Uphaz, the work of [the] craftsman and [the] hands of the goldsmith. Blue and purple [are] their clothing, all of them [are] the work of skillful people.

10 But Yahweh [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and {an everlasting king}. Because of his wrath the earth quakes, and [the] nations cannot endure his anger.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "And in one"