Jeremiah 10:14 kjv
Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
Jeremiah 10:14 nkjv
Everyone is dull-hearted, without knowledge; Every metalsmith is put to shame by an image; For his molded image is falsehood, And there is no breath in them.
Jeremiah 10:14 niv
Everyone is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. The images he makes are a fraud; they have no breath in them.
Jeremiah 10:14 esv
Every man is stupid and without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, and there is no breath in them.
Jeremiah 10:14 nlt
The whole human race is foolish and has no knowledge!
The craftsmen are disgraced by the idols they make,
for their carefully shaped works are a fraud.
These idols have no breath or power.
Jeremiah 10 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 10:8 | but they are altogether dull and foolish. | Deut. 4:17-18 (Idols' depiction) |
| Isaiah 44:9 | All who make idols are nothing. | Ps. 115:8 (Similar condemnation) |
| Isaiah 45:16 | they will be put to shame and confused. | Ps. 97:7 (Worshippers ashamed) |
| Ps. 115:4-7 | their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak, eyes, but do not see. | Jer. 10:5 (Idol's powerlessness) |
| Habakkuk 2:18 | "What value is an idol, since a craftsman has carved it? | Ps. 135:15-18 (Idols' nature) |
| Acts 17:29 | Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. | Rom. 1:23 (Exchange glory of God for likeness) |
| 1 Cor. 12:2 | Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. | Gal. 4:8 (Former bondage to idols) |
| Ps. 106:36 | And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. | Ex. 23:32 (Warning against idols) |
| Isa. 2:8 | Their land is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made. | 1 Sam. 12:21 (Turning to idols) |
| Jer. 51:17 | Every man is brutish and without knowledge: every goldsmith is confounded by the idols. | Prov. 30:32 (Pride and folly) |
| Deut. 7:25 | Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it. | 2 Kings 23:13 (Manasseh's idols) |
| Isa. 40:19 | What then? what shall be done when God riseth up? | Job 31:24-28 (Financial idols) |
| Ps. 31:6 | I hate them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD. | 1 John 5:21 (Abstain from idols) |
| Jer. 8:2 | and have buried them in the likeness of their idols. | Jer. 14:22 (False hope) |
| Hos. 10:2 | Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty. | Matt. 6:24 (Serving two masters) |
| Isa. 41:24 | Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of naught: an abomination is he that chooseth you. | Ps. 119:104 (Wisdom from precepts) |
| Acts 19:26 | that they be no gods, which are made with hands. | Nahum 1:14 (No more offspring) |
| Jer. 14:8 | O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry only for a night? | Deut. 18:20 (False prophet) |
| 1 Cor. 8:4 | Concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. | Eph. 5:11 (Do not participate in unfruitful deeds) |
| Jer. 2:27 | Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: | Job 28:6 (Gold from the earth) |
| Ps. 96:5 | For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. | 1 Chron. 16:26 (All gods are idols) |
| Ps. 135:6 | Whatsoever the LORD pleased, he hath done, in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and in all deep places. | Gen. 1:1 (God's creation) |
Jeremiah 10 verses
Jeremiah 10 14 Meaning
This verse powerfully condemns the creation and worship of idols. It highlights the vanity and worthlessness of these man-made objects, asserting that they are devoid of intelligence, breath, and life. Their very nature proves they cannot deliver or save their makers.
Jeremiah 10 14 Context
Jeremiah 10 is a polemic against idolatry. In the historical context, Israel was surrounded by nations that worshipped various deities represented by idols. The Babylonian exile was looming, and the people of Judah were tempted to turn to the idols of other nations, seeking their protection. This chapter serves as a stark reminder from God, through Jeremiah, that these idols are powerless and deceptive. God contrasts Himself, the Creator of the universe, with the lifeless, man-made idols that cannot even speak or act. The chapter emphasizes that reliance on idols is a source of confusion, folly, and ultimate destruction, while faith in the true God is the path to salvation and security.
Jeremiah 10 14 Word Analysis
- Therefore (עַל־כֵּ֗ן - 'al-ken): Signifies a consequence or conclusion based on what has been previously stated, specifically the description of idols' lifelessness.
- everyone (אִישׁ֙ - 'ish): Refers to individuals, emphasizing personal responsibility in the act of idolatry.
- is stupid (נִבְעַ֤ר - niv'ar): Denotes profound foolishness, lack of understanding, or being brutish. It suggests a willful ignorance or a mental paralysis that prevents discernment.
- and brutish (וְכְסִ֣יל - v'chesil): "Ksil" also signifies foolishness, dullness, and lack of reason, reinforcing the idea of utter lack of comprehension regarding the nature of God versus idols.
- ashamed (יֵבֹ֔שׁ - yevosh): Expresses disgrace, disappointment, and confusion resulting from relying on something false or empty. It points to the ultimate futility of seeking help from idols.
- for (כִּֽי־ ki): Introduces the reason for the shame.
- his molten image (יְצֻר־ל֔וֹ y'tzur-lo): "Y'tzur" refers to a molded or formed image, a product of human craftsmanship. "Lo" indicates "to him," connecting the idol to its maker/owner.
- is a lie (שֶׁ֤קֶר sheker): Implies falsehood, deceit, and a fundamental untruth. The image is a fabrication that falsely claims power or divinity.
- and there is no breath (וְאֵֽין־בּ֔וֹ v'ein-bo): "Ein" means "is not," and "bo" means "in it." This directly states the absolute lack of life, spirit, or animation in the idol.
- in it (וְאֵֽין־בּ֔וֹ v'ein-bo): A strong negation of any life-giving force.
- and (וְ v'): Conjunction connecting the preceding clauses.
- perish (אָב֔וֹד avod): To be destroyed, to cease to exist, to be lost.
- in (בְּ b'): Preposition indicating the means or place.
- his ruin (בְּאִבּוּד֣וֹ b'ivudo): "Ivudo" refers to his perdition, destruction, or ruin. It emphasizes the catastrophic consequence for the worshipper tied to the idol.
Group Analysis:
- "stupid and brutish": These two terms work together to paint a complete picture of intellectual and moral deficiency. The person relying on idols lacks wisdom and is comparable to an unthinking animal.
- "his molten image is a lie": This phrase directly exposes the deceptive nature of idolatry. The idol, no matter how elaborate, is a falsehood because it misrepresents God and offers false hope.
- "and there is no breath in it": This is a crucial declaration highlighting the fundamental difference between the Creator and created things. Life, symbolized by "breath" (often associated with the Hebrew ruach), belongs to God alone.
- "they shall perish in his ruin": This demonstrates the inescapable consequence of idolatry. The destiny of the idol and its worshipper are intrinsically linked; if the idol is nothing, its follower who places trust in it will also come to nothing.
Jeremiah 10 14 Bonus Section
The concept of "breath" (ruach in Hebrew) in the Bible is often linked to the Holy Spirit, the life-giving power of God. Idols, lacking ruach, are thus utterly devoid of divine life. This contrasts starkly with God, who "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life" (Gen 2:7) and sustains all creation. The verse echoes a consistent theme throughout scripture, condemning any attempt to create a god in man's image, rather than recognizing God in His revealed image and power. The people of Judah were often prone to syncretism, blending their worship of Yahweh with the practices of surrounding nations, and Jeremiah's message here is a strong corrective against such compromising faithfulness. Scholars often point to Assyrian and Babylonian reliefs depicting their gods with vitalistic elements, which the prophet debunks by stripping these man-made gods of all vitality.
Jeremiah 10 14 Commentary
This verse underscores the futility and spiritual danger of idolatry. It's not just a mistaken practice; it's characterized by profound ignorance and delusion. Those who create and worship idols are foolish because their objects of devotion are inherently lifeless. The imagery of an idol as "molten" speaks to its artificiality—it is formed by human hands from raw materials, lacking any divine essence. The critical point is that idols are inanimate; they possess neither the capacity to think, feel, speak, nor animate life ("no breath in it"). Therefore, any hope placed in them is misplaced and destined for disappointment ("ashamed"). The verse powerfully concludes by stating that the worshipper and their idol share a common fate: destruction or ruin. This implies that investing one's trust and identity in something that has no substance ultimately leads to spiritual and perhaps even physical collapse. The act of making idols is presented as inherently flawed, leading to confusion and eventual ruin for the maker.