Jeremiah 10:23 kjv
O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 nkjv
O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 niv
LORD, I know that people's lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 esv
I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 nlt
I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own.
We are not able to plan our own course.
Jeremiah 10 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. | Guidance when trusting God vs. self-reliance. |
| Prov 16:9 | The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. | God's ultimate sovereignty over human plans. |
| Ps 37:23 | The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when He delights in his way. | Divine direction for those who please God. |
| Is 30:21 | And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. | God promises guidance through His Spirit/Word. |
| Jer 9:23-24 | Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom... but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me..." | Contrast: Human boasting (wisdom, might, riches) vs. knowing God. |
| Rom 8:14 | For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. | Divine leading for God's children. |
| John 14:6 | Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." | Jesus as the sole "way" and ultimate guidance. |
| Deut 5:32 | You shall be careful therefore to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. | Divine commandments as the correct path. |
| Joshua 1:7-8 | Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law... so you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success. | Obedience to God's law ensures a blessed path. |
| Judg 21:25 | In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. | Anarchy when people follow their own desires. |
| Job 32:8 | But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. | True understanding comes from God. |
| Ps 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. | God's Word as essential guidance. |
| Ps 127:1 | Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. | Futility of human effort without divine blessing. |
| Ecc 9:11 | The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong... but time and chance happen to them all. | Events beyond human control; God's hidden counsel. |
| Is 48:17 | Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go." | God's role as the divine teacher and guide. |
| Jer 6:16 | Thus says the Lord: "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls..." | People choosing their own evil ways despite divine offer of good. |
| Matt 6:33 | But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. | Prioritizing God's will for correct living. |
| Acts 16:6-7 | ...they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. | Divine redirection of apostolic missionary work. |
| James 4:13-15 | Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. ...Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." | Humility in planning, acknowledging God's will. |
| Heb 11:8 | By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. | Faith in God's direction, even without full knowledge. |
| Col 2:6-8 | Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him... See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit... | Walking in Christ, avoiding human philosophies. |
Jeremiah 10 verses
Jeremiah 10 23 Meaning
Jeremiah 10:23 expresses a profound spiritual truth and personal confession: humans lack the inherent wisdom, capacity, or authority to fully direct their own life paths or to truly govern their own steps. It is a declaration of human inability to independently navigate life successfully according to God's will, underscoring the absolute necessity of divine guidance and sovereignty over human endeavors.
Jeremiah 10 23 Context
Jeremiah 10:23 is part of a broader prophetic lament and instruction from Jeremiah to the people of Judah, specifically amidst the impending judgment of the Babylonian exile. Chapter 10 opens with a strong polemic against the futility and idolatry of other nations' gods, contrasting them with the living and true God of Israel (v. 1-16). Jeremiah highlights the incomparable power, wisdom, and majesty of the Lord. The passage then shifts to a prophetic declaration of imminent devastation for Judah (v. 17-22), emphasizing that this judgment comes from God.
Verse 23 transitions into a deeply personal prayer and confession by Jeremiah. Having spoken about the divine judgment and the emptiness of relying on human constructs (idols), Jeremiah turns his focus inward and upward, acknowledging universal human limitations. His prayer "Correct me, O Lord" (v. 24) follows this admission, revealing his submission and desire for divine justice, even as he asks for moderation in wrath. It underscores the prophet's personal reliance on God in the face of national crisis and overwhelming challenges.
Jeremiah 10 23 Word analysis
- I know (יָדַע - yada'): Not merely intellectual assent, but a deep, experiential, and acknowledged truth. It's a conviction born of observation, divine revelation, and spiritual insight into human nature.
- O Lord (אֲדֹנָי - Adonai): A title emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty and mastership. It denotes reverent submission and acknowledging His authority over all things, including human destiny.
- the way (דֶּרֶךְ - derekh): Literally "path" or "road," but metaphorically signifies a course of life, conduct, behavior, or destiny. It encompasses decisions, actions, and the general direction of one's existence.
- of man (אִישׁ - 'ish): Refers to mankind, a human being, individual person. It points to humanity in general, not just a specific individual.
- is not (לֹא - lo'; negated existence): A direct, unequivocal denial. It states an absolute impossibility or non-possession.
- in himself (לוֹ - lo'; literally "to him," implying possession or control): Denotes the idea that the "way" is not within the inherent power, capacity, or authority of man. It's not something man possesses or can unilaterally determine.
- it is not (לֹא - lo'): Repetition for emphasis, reinforcing the preceding point.
- in man (אִישׁ - 'ish): Reiteration of the human element, making the truth universal for all humanity.
- who walks (הֹלֵךְ - holekh, participle of halakh, "to walk"): Specifies man in action, engaging in the process of life, moving forward, making decisions. Even in the very act of walking/living, man lacks control.
- to direct (הָכִין - hakhin, Hiphil infinitive construct of kuwn, "to establish, prepare, make firm"): Here, in the Hiphil, it means to "cause to stand firm," "establish," "guide," "direct firmly." It's about ordering, structuring, or ensuring the stability and correct course of.
- his steps (צְעָדָיו - tzə'adav, plural of tza'ad, "step"): Literal movement of feet, metaphorically referring to individual actions, choices, decisions, and the progress through life. It represents the smallest components that make up the "way."
Words-group analysis:
- "I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself": This phrase opens with a personal declaration of a foundational theological truth. It frames human existence and destiny as outside human self-determination, placed entirely under divine sovereignty. The "way of man" signifies the trajectory, choices, and destiny of human life. The emphatic negation "not in himself" challenges all forms of human self-reliance, wisdom, and strength as sufficient guides.
- "it is not in man who walks to direct his steps": This clause deepens the initial statement by adding a crucial explanatory layer. "Man who walks" emphasizes human agency and action; even as people are actively moving through life, making choices ("walking"), the power to "direct his steps"—to determine the right path and maintain that course—does not ultimately reside within them. It highlights the pervasive nature of human limitation in every aspect of life's journey.
Jeremiah 10 23 Bonus section
- This verse can be understood as a contra-argument to the self-assurance often seen in idolatry, where people seek to control their future by manipulating deities or by trusting in human constructs. Jeremiah here points to the ultimate inability of any man, and therefore any human-made idol or system, to truly guide.
- It forms a prelude to Jeremiah's prayer in the following verse (10:24), "Correct me, O Lord, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing." The recognition of human inability to direct oneself naturally leads to a request for divine guidance and correction, though tempered by a plea for mercy.
- The teaching echoes throughout scripture (e.g., Prov 16:9), indicating that it is a universal principle of creation: the creature cannot dictate its ultimate path or meaning apart from its Creator. This applies not only to spiritual salvation but also to everyday decisions and life planning.
- It serves as a theological foundation for understanding the need for divine law, prophetic revelation, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to truly navigate life's complexities and lead a righteous life.
Jeremiah 10 23 Commentary
Jeremiah 10:23 is a profound statement of theological anthropology, recognizing the fundamental dependency of humanity on God for guidance and purpose. In the midst of national turmoil and rampant idolatry, Jeremiah makes a pivotal confession: all human planning, efforts, and self-directed paths are ultimately insufficient and flawed without divine intervention. This truth stands in stark contrast to the human tendency to rely on personal wisdom, power, or even false gods. It’s an acknowledgment that while humans have free will to choose a path, the wisdom to choose the correct path—the path aligned with ultimate truth and righteous purpose—does not originate from within. It exposes the folly of spiritual autonomy, underscoring that genuine direction and stable steps in life derive solely from the Lord. It serves as a call for humility, prayerful reliance, and surrender to God's superior wisdom and sovereignty in every decision and trajectory of life.