Jeremiah 10:5

5 in similitudinem palmae fabricata sunt et non loquentur portata tollentur quia incedere non valent nolite ergo timere ea quia nec male possunt facere nec bene

Jeremiah 10:5 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 10:5

They are upright as the palm tree
Being nailed to a post, or fastened to a pillar, or set upon a pedestal, and so stand erect without bending any way; and are like a palm tree, which is noted for its uprightness; hence the church's stature is compared to it, ( Song of Solomon 7:7 ) , here it is a sarcasm, and a bitter one: but speak not;
man, that is of an erect stature, in which he differs from other creatures, has the faculty of speech, which they that go upon four feet have not; but the idols of the Gentiles, though erect, have not the power of speaking a word; and therefore can give no answer to their worshippers; see ( Psalms 115:5 ) ( 1 Kings 18:26 ) , they must needs be borne:
or, "in carrying be carried" ^F17; when being made they are fixed in the designed place, or are moved from place to place; they are then carried in men's arms, or on their shoulders: because they cannot go;
they have no life, and so are incapable of motion of themselves; they have feet, but walk not; and cannot arise and bestir themselves for the help of those that pray unto them, ( Psalms 115:7 ) , be not afraid of them, for they cannot do evil;
that is, inflict judgment, cause drought, famine, or pestilence, or any other evil or calamity: neither is it also in them to do good;
to give rains and fruitful seasons, or bestow any favour, temporal or spiritual; see ( Jeremiah 14:21 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 (awvny awvn) "portando portantur", Schmidt; "portabitur" Pagninus; "portabuntur", Montanus; "omnino portanda sunt", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Jeremiah 10:5 In-Context

3 quia leges populorum vanae sunt quia lignum de saltu praecidit opus manuum artificis in ascia

4 argento et auro decoravit illud clavis et malleis conpegit ut non dissolvatur

5 in similitudinem palmae fabricata sunt et non loquentur portata tollentur quia incedere non valent nolite ergo timere ea quia nec male possunt facere nec bene

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