Jeremiah 10:12-16

12 1It is he who 2made the earth by his power, 3who established the world by his wisdom, and 4by his understanding stretched out the heavens.
13 5When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, 6and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth. 7He makes lightning 8for the rain, 9and he brings forth the wind 10from his storehouses.
14 11Every man is stupid and without knowledge; 12every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, 13and there is no breath in them.
15 They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they shall perish.
16 Not like these is he who is 14the portion of Jacob, for he is the one who formed all things, 15and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; 16the LORD of hosts is his name.

Jeremiah 10:12-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 10

This chapter shows that there is no comparison to be made between God and the idols of the Gentiles; represents the destruction of the Jews as near at hand; and is closed with some petitions of the prophet. It begins by way of preface with an exhortation to hear the word of the Lord, and a dehortation not to learn the way of the Heathens, or be dismayed at their signs, since their customs were in vain, Jer 10:1-3 which lead on to expose their idols, and set forth the greatness and glory of God. Their idols are described by the matter and makers of them, Jer 10:3,4,9 and from their impotence to speak, to stand, to move, or do either good or evil, Jer 10:4,5, but, on the other hand, God is described by the greatness of his name and power, and by the reverence that belongs unto him; in comparison of whom all the wise men of the nations are brutish, foolish, and vain, Jer 10:6-8, by the epithets of true, living, and everlasting, and by the terribleness of his wrath, Jer 10:10, by his power and wisdom, in making the heavens and the earth, in causing thunder and lightning, wind and rain, when the gods that have no share in these shall utterly perish, Jer 10:11-13 their makers being brutish, and brought to shame; and they falsehood and breathless vanity, the work of errors, and so shall come to ruin, Jer 10:14,15, but he, who is Jacob's portion, and whose inheritance Israel is, is not like them; being the former of all things, and his name the Lord of hosts, Jer 10:16 and next follows a prophecy of the destruction of the Jews; wherefore they are bid to gather up their wares, since in a very little time, and at once, the Lord would fling them out of the land, and bring them into distress, Jer 10:17,18, upon which the prophet expresses his sympathy with his people in trouble, and the part of grief he took and bore with them, Jer 10:19, the particulars of his distress, through the desolation of the land, and the captivity of the people, with the cause and authors of it, by whose means these things were brought upon them, are mentioned, Jer 10:20,21, and the Chaldean army, the instruments of their ruin, are represented as just at hand, Jer 10:22, when the prophet, directing himself to God, acknowledges the impotence of man in general to help and guide himself, deprecates correction in anger to himself in particular, and prays that the wrath of God might be poured down upon the Heathens, by whom his people were devoured, consumed, and made desolate, Jer 10:23-25.

Cross References 16

  • 1. For ver. 12-16, see Jeremiah 51:15-19
  • 2. Gen. 1:1, 6, 9; Psalms 104:5; Proverbs 3:19
  • 3. Gen. 1:1, 6, 9; Psalms 104:5; Proverbs 3:19
  • 4. Job 9:8
  • 5. [Job 38:34; Psalms 104:6, 7]
  • 6. Psalms 135:7
  • 7. Psalms 135:7
  • 8. Jeremiah 14:22; Job 5:10
  • 9. Psalms 135:7
  • 10. Job 38:22
  • 11. ver. 8; Proverbs 30:2; [Romans 1:22]
  • 12. See Isaiah 42:17
  • 13. Psalms 135:17; Habakkuk 2:19
  • 14. Psalms 16:5
  • 15. Deuteronomy 32:9
  • 16. Jeremiah 31:35; Jeremiah 32:18; Jeremiah 50:34
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.