Jeremiah 10 13

Jeremiah 10:13 kjv

When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

Jeremiah 10:13 nkjv

When He utters His voice, There is a multitude of waters in the heavens: "And He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, He brings the wind out of His treasuries."

Jeremiah 10:13 niv

When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

Jeremiah 10:13 esv

When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

Jeremiah 10:13 nlt

When he speaks in the thunder,
the heavens roar with rain.
He causes the clouds to rise over the earth.
He sends the lightning with the rain
and releases the wind from his storehouses.

Jeremiah 10 verses

Jeremiah 10 13 Meaning

The thunderous roar of the sky signifies God's power and presence. Rain, lightning, and clouds are all instruments of His divine decree. The verse declares that the Lord alone causes these atmospheric phenomena. He brings the thunder, makes the lightning, and sends the rain, all according to His will. This is not a mere description of weather but a profound statement of divine sovereignty over the natural world.

Jeremiah 10 13 Context

This verse is part of Jeremiah's ongoing prophetic pronouncements against idolatry and false gods, specifically addressing the people of Judah who were tempted by the surrounding nations' practices. In Jeremiah chapter 10, the prophet contrasts the living God with the lifeless idols crafted by human hands. He mocks the futility of worshiping statues made of wood and metal, highlighting their inability to create, sustain, or control anything, especially the fundamental forces of nature. This specific verse serves as a powerful illustration of God's active involvement and absolute dominion over the very elements that pagans attributed to various nature deities. It reinforces the singularity of the true God as the sovereign creator and controller of all that exists, including the majestic and terrifying displays of the sky. The surrounding verses emphasize the emptiness and deception of idols, making this statement about God's power over natural phenomena a key element in the polemic.

Jeremiah 10 13 Word Analysis

• Kȗl (כּוּל): While this Hebrew word can mean "to contain" or "to be contained," in some contexts related to speech and sound, it can carry the nuance of encompassing or comprising. However, the common interpretation leans towards the effect of God's voice on the waters.
• qōl (קוֹל): This is the standard Hebrew word for "voice" or "sound." Here, it signifies the audible manifestation of God's power.
• rûaḥ (רוּחַ): Means "wind," "breath," or "spirit." It points to the invisible forces of nature controlled by God.
• ləbîm (לְבִיבִים): Often translated as "heart." In this context, some interpretations connect it to understanding or perception, but the primary meaning remains "heart." However, the focus here is on God's knowledge, not man's emotion. The verse, however, doesn't contain this word.
• zîqîm (זִיקִים): Translates to "flashes of lightning." It refers to the brilliant, sudden discharges of electricity in the atmosphere.
• mālôah (מַלּוּאָה): Means "fullness" or "abundance." Applied to the clouds, it signifies them being heavy with water.
• mĕṭar (מְטָר): The common word for "rain."

Words-group by words-group Analysis:

• “When he utters his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens...”: This phrase links God's vocal command to the appearance of abundant water in the sky, implying a direct, immediate cause-and-effect relationship. The "multitude of waters" points to heavy rain or possibly even storm clouds gathering.
• “he causes the clouds to ascend from the ends of the earth”: This illustrates God's sovereignty by showing His control over the formation and movement of clouds, drawing moisture from the farthest reaches of the planet.
• “he makes lightning for the rain, and brings forth the wind from his coffers”: This powerfully depicts God as the ultimate provider and controller of weather phenomena. Lightning is sent specifically to accompany the rain, indicating a planned, ordered system, not random chance. The "coffers" implies a storehouse, where God keeps His powerful resources, like wind, ready for deployment.

Jeremiah 10 13 Bonus Section

The concept of God's "voice" in relation to weather is found throughout Scripture, often described as thunder (Psalm 29:3-9). The idea of God having storehouses for natural elements like snow, hail, wind, and rain is also present in Job (Job 38:22-38), underscoring His meticulous planning and control over the created order. This verse forms part of a larger theme in Jeremiah that contrasts the living God with inanimate idols. The power demonstrated here—controlling water, clouds, lightning, and wind—is precisely what pagans often attributed to their gods, and Jeremiah uses it to expose the impotence of those idols and the unique, unmatched power of Yahweh.

Jeremiah 10 13 Commentary

Jeremiah 10:13 emphatically asserts God's supreme authority over the weather. It's a direct rebuke to polytheistic beliefs that ascribed such powers to lesser deities. The verse emphasizes that God's voice commands the storm, His breath (wind) is stored and released from His own treasury, and He orchestrates the lightning to accompany the rain. This is not merely descriptive; it's a polemic designed to make the Israelites recognize the unparalleled power and singularity of the God of Israel, the true Creator who actively governs His creation, contrasting starkly with the inert, lifeless idols they were tempted to worship. The verse encourages faith by reminding believers that the One who controls the mighty forces of nature is their God.

Practical Usage: When facing difficult circumstances or anxieties, remember that God is in control of all aspects of creation, including the unpredictable elements of nature. This understanding can bring peace and strengthen faith, as we trust in His sovereign hand.