Jeremiah 10:15 kjv
They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
Jeremiah 10:15 nkjv
They are futile, a work of errors; In the time of their punishment they shall perish.
Jeremiah 10:15 niv
They are worthless, the objects of mockery; when their judgment comes, they will perish.
Jeremiah 10:15 esv
They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they shall perish.
Jeremiah 10:15 nlt
Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies!
On the day of reckoning they will all be destroyed.
Jeremiah 10 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 10:14 | Every goldsmith is put to shame by the idols he makes. | polemic against idolatry |
| Jer 10:3 | Concerning the ways of the peoples: ... no understanding. | condemnation of nations |
| Ps 115:4-7 | Their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. | mockery of idols |
| Ps 135:15-18 | The idols of the nations are silver and gold, images made by human hands. | comparison of idols & God |
| Isa 2:8 | their land is filled with silver and gold; and there is no end to their treasures. | sin of materialism/idolatry |
| Isa 44:9-10 | ... they are all to be put to shame who are the makers of idols. | futility of idol makers |
| Isa 46:1-2 | Bel bows down; Nebo stoops; their idols are on beasts and on wandering animals; your laden beasts are burdened beasts. | futility of idol worship |
| Hab 2:18 | What profit is a graven image, that its maker has carved it, a metal image and a teacher of lies, that its maker trusts in it, to make mute idols? | futility of idols |
| Dan 3:1-7 | King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold... | contrasting with true worship |
| Zech 10:2 | For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie; they tell false dreams, they comfort in vain. | futility of idols/false prophecy |
| Acts 17:29 | Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image or art or device of man's art. | God's nature vs idols |
| 1 Cor 12:2 | You know that when you were pagans you were led away to mute idols... | pagan practices |
| Gal 5:19-20 | Now the works of the flesh are evident: ... idolatry... | spiritual warfare |
| Rev 9:20 | The rest of mankind, who were not slain by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, nor did they repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, nor their thievery. | continued sin/idolatry |
| Ps 106:36 | They served their idols, which became a snare to them. | danger of idols |
| Jer 50:35-38 | A sword against the Chaldeans! ... I will dry up her sea and make her fountain dry. | judgment on Babylon (idolatry) |
| Isa 41:24 | Behold, you are of less account than a wine-skin; you will surely fail because of what you are. | idols are less than worthless |
| Job 28:28 | And he said to man, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.” | true wisdom |
| 1 Thess 1:9 | For they themselves report concerning us what kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. | turning from idols |
| Ps 39:7 | “O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.” | true hope in God |
Jeremiah 10 verses
Jeremiah 10 15 Meaning
This verse describes idols as worthless, deceitful, and incapable of action or survival. They are destined for destruction.
Jeremiah 10 15 Context
This verse is part of Jeremiah chapter 10, which is a strong indictment against the idolatry of Israel and the surrounding nations. Jeremiah is presenting a stark contrast between the true God of Israel and the lifeless, powerless idols worshiped by pagans. The chapter denounces the false religious practices that have become prevalent. Specifically, verses 11-16 (with verse 15 being key) directly speak against the futility and worthlessness of idols, likely a polemic against the practices of Babylonian idolatry that were influencing Judah. The ultimate message is that these idols are foolish and will lead to their worshippers' downfall and destruction.
Jeremiah 10 15 Word Analysis
hebel (Hebrew: הֶבֶל) - Means "vapor," "breath," "vanity," "nothingness," "worthless," "futility."
- Significance: Emphasizes the complete lack of substance and power in idols. They are as insubstantial as a puff of air.
- Usage: Appears multiple times in Ecclesiastes to describe the emptiness of life apart from God.
massəḵâ (Hebrew: מַסֵּכָה) - Means "molten image," "cast image," "idol."
- Significance: Refers to idols made by casting metal, highlighting human craftsmanship in their creation, contrasting with the uncreated God.
bělyiš–`yâ (Hebrew: בְּלִי-יְדִיעָה) - Literally "without knowledge" or "without understanding."
- Significance: Attributes ignorance and lack of intelligence to the idols, reinforcing their lifelessness and inability to discern or act.
lōʾ-`yittĕn–û–mālɛ–ḵûṯ (Hebrew: לֹא-יִתְּנ֣וּ לָמַ֔לְכוּ) - "they will not give mastery" or "they have no power to rule."
- Significance: Highlights the utter powerlessness of idols, especially in the context of God's sovereign rule over creation and history.
’eḏ (Hebrew: אֵ֥ד) - Can mean "unit," "one," "together," but here refers to "alongside" or "with" implying absence of presence. Or translated as "waste" or "emptiness" derived from the root.
- Significance: Adds to the emptiness and desolation associated with idols.
Group: hebel massəḵâ (vanity, a molten image)
- Significance: This phrase encapsulates the entire description of an idol as something made by human hands, devoid of spirit, intelligence, and power, ultimately signifying vanity.
Group: ’ĕlîlîm ’ēṯ–’ēḏ (idols are vain, or idols are an empty thing)
- Significance: Reinforces the uselessness and void nature of all idols.
Jeremiah 10 15 Bonus Section
The concept of "vapor" or "hebel" for idols is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, underscoring their impermanence and the delusion of their worshippers. Scholars note that this poetic language emphasizes not just the material emptiness but the spiritual emptiness they represent. The craftsmanship of idols is a deliberate contrast to the uncreated nature of God, who is eternal and self-existent. The idols' inability to "give mastery" points to their failure as guides or protectors, contrasting with God's sovereign and active role in history. The eventual destruction of these idols signifies the inevitable triumph of the true God over all false deities and human presumption.
Jeremiah 10 15 Commentary
Jeremiah 10:15 starkly condemns idolatry by declaring idols to be worthless "vapor" and "molten images" that lack discernment and ruling power. These deities, painstakingly crafted by human hands, are presented as utterly devoid of spirit, life, or ability to govern. Their existence is a hollow charade, ultimately leading to their own demise. The prophetic assertion here is that no true deity could be so inert or so entirely the product of mortal hands; only a manufactured image would be characterized by such futility. The ultimate futility of idol worship lies in placing trust and hope in that which cannot sustain or save. True salvation and hope are found solely in the living and true God, who is the unmade Creator.