Jeremiah 10:6-16

6 non est similis tui Domine magnus tu et magnum nomen tuum in fortitudine

7 quis non timebit te o rex gentium tuum est enim decus inter cunctos sapientes gentium et in universis regnis eorum nullus est similis tui

8 pariter insipientes et fatui probabuntur doctrina vanitatis eorum lignum est

9 argentum involutum de Tharsis adfertur et aurum de Ofaz opus artificis et manus aerarii hyacinthus et purpura indumentum eorum opus artificum universa haec

10 Dominus autem Deus verus est ipse Deus vivens et rex sempiternus ab indignatione eius commovebitur terra et non sustinebunt gentes comminationem eius

11 sic ergo dicetis eis dii qui caelos et terram non fecerunt pereant de terra et de his quae sub caelis sunt

12 qui facit terram in fortitudine sua praeparat orbem in sapientia sua et prudentia sua extendit caelos

13 ad vocem suam dat multitudinem aquarum in caelo et elevat nebulas ab extremitatibus terrae fulgura in pluviam facit et educit ventum de thesauris suis

14 stultus factus est omnis homo ab scientia confusus est omnis artifex in sculptili quoniam falsum est quod conflavit et non est spiritus in eis

15 vana sunt et opus risu dignum in tempore visitationis suae peribunt

16 non est his similis pars Iacob qui enim formavit omnia ipse est et Israhel virga hereditatis eius Dominus exercituum nomen illi

Jeremiah 10:6-16 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.