Jeremiah 10:16

16 The 1portion of Jacob is not like these; For the 2Maker of all is He, And 3Israel is the tribe of His inheritance; The 4LORD of hosts is His name.

Jeremiah 10:16 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 10:16

The portion of Jacob is not like them
Like those idols, vain, and the work of errors, or shall perish; even the true God, who is the portion of his people, of Jacob, whom he has chosen and redeemed; who call themselves by the name of Jacob, and are Israelites indeed, and plain hearted ones; and who have seen the insufficiency of all other portions, and the excellency of this; for there is none like it, none so large, so rich, so satisfying, and so durable; for God is the portion of his, in all the perfections of his nature, which all, some way or other, are for their good and advantage; and in all his persons, and under every character; even all he has is theirs, now and hereafter: for he is the former of all things:
which idols are not, being the maker of creatures themselves; wherefore the Creator must be a better portion than they; and as he has all things at his dispose, he bestows them on his people, and they cannot want: and Israel is the rod of his inheritance;
chosen and possessed by him, and dear unto him; and wonderful this is, that on the one side he should be the portion of his people; and, on the other, that they should be his portion and his inheritance, when so few in number, and despised by and among men, and but sinful dust and ashes; and especially when what follows is considered: the Lord of hosts is his name:
his title is the Lord of armies, above and below; he rules both in heaven and in earth, and has the inhabitants of both worlds, angels and men, at his command; and yet he chooses a handful of people to be his possession and inheritance.

Jeremiah 10:16 In-Context

14 Every man is stupid, devoid of knowledge; Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols; For his molten images are deceitful, And there is no breath in them.
15 They are worthless, a work of mockery; In the time of their punishment they will perish.
16 The portion of Jacob is not like these; For the Maker of all is He, And Israel is the tribe of His inheritance; The LORD of hosts is His name.
17 Pick up your bundle from the ground, You who dwell under siege!
18 For thus says the LORD , "Behold, I am slinging out the inhabitants of the land At this time, And will cause them distress, That they may be found."

Cross References 4

  • 1. Psalms 16:5; Psalms 73:26; Psalms 119:57; Jeremiah 51:19; Lamentations 3:24
  • 2. Isaiah 45:7; Jeremiah 10:12
  • 3. Deuteronomy 32:9; Psalms 74:2
  • 4. Jeremiah 31:35; Jeremiah 32:18

Footnotes 1

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