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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 10:23 | O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself... | Jeremiah 10:23 (Foundation Verse) |
| Proverbs 3:5-6 | Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding... | Proverbs 3:5-6 (Leaning not on understanding) |
| Isaiah 55:8-9 | For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways... | Isaiah 55:8-9 (Divine vs. human perspective) |
| Psalms 37:23 | The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD... | Psalms 37:23 (Divine ordering) |
| Jeremiah 17:9 | The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? | Jeremiah 17:9 (Man's inherent failing) |
| Romans 3:23 | For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. | Romans 3:23 (Universal sinfulness) |
| 1 Corinthians 1:25 | Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. | 1 Corinthians 1:25 (God's superior wisdom) |
| Job 38:2, 4-5 | Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: ... Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? | Job 38:2, 4-5 (God's sovereignty) |
| Genesis 6:5 | The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth... | Genesis 6:5 (Man's pervasive wickedness) |
| Ephesians 2:10 | For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works... | Ephesians 2:10 (God's creation and purpose) |
| Acts 17:24-28 | The God who made the world and everything in it... | Acts 17:24-28 (God's sustenance of all) |
| John 15:5 | I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit... | John 15:5 (Dependence on Christ) |
| Philippians 2:13 | for it is God who works in you, both to will and to do for his good pleasure. | Philippians 2:13 (God's work in believers) |
| Colossians 1:17 | And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. | Colossians 1:17 (Christ's upholding power) |
| Psalms 127:1 | Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. | Psalms 127:1 (Lord's foundational role) |
| Isaiah 40:28 | Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. | Isaiah 40:28 (God's infinite understanding) |
| 1 Samuel 2:3 | Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. | 1 Samuel 2:3 (God's knowledge and judgment) |
| Jeremiah 2:13 | for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. | Jeremiah 2:13 (Forsaking the true source) |
| Matthew 7:24-27 | Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man... | Matthew 7:24-27 (Wisdom of hearing/doing God's word) |
| Romans 11:33 | Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! | Romans 11:33 (Inscrutability of God's ways) |
| Galatians 5:25 | If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. | Galatians 5:25 (Walking by the Spirit) |
Jeremiah 10 verses
Jeremiah 10 23 Meaning
The LORD is acknowledging that the destiny of humankind is not controlled by human wisdom or direction, but by divine guidance and authority. Man's understanding is insufficient to direct his own steps reliably.
Jeremiah 10 23 Context
Jeremiah 10:23 is part of a prophetic oracle delivered by Jeremiah to the people of Judah. This chapter directly confronts and debunks the idolatry prevalent among them. Jeremiah contrasts the impotence and worthlessness of idols made by human hands with the absolute power and sovereignty of the true God, the LORD. He has been systematically dismantling the religious practices of the people, which were deeply influenced by surrounding pagan cultures and their worship of various deities. This particular verse serves as a profound declaration of faith, recognizing that the ultimate direction and outcome of human life are not in the hands of flawed humanity or their fabricated deities, but solely in the hands of God.
Jeremiah 10 23 Word Analysis
- "O LORD":
- Hebrew: YHWH (Yahweh)
- Meaning: The personal covenantal name of God, signifying His eternal existence, faithfulness, and redemptive power. The prophet directly addresses God.
- "I know":
- Hebrew: yada‘ (יָדַע)
- Meaning: To know, to be acquainted with, to understand deeply, to have knowledge of. It signifies a deep, experiential certainty, not mere intellectual assent.
- "that the way":
- Hebrew: derek (דֶּרֶךְ)
- Meaning: Path, road, way, journey, manner of life. Refers to the course of action, conduct, or destiny.
- "of man":
- Hebrew: ’ādām (’ָדָם)
- Meaning: Man, humankind, person. Refers to humanity in general.
- "is not in himself":
- Hebrew: lo’ (לֹא) – no, not; bîyô (בּוֹ) – in him.
- Meaning: Does not belong to him, is not self-originated or self-controlled. It highlights the dependence and limitation of human agency.
- "it is not in man that walketh":
- Hebrew: lo’ (לֹא) – not; goër (גֹּאֵר) – to walk, to direct one's steps, to guide.
- Meaning: It is not within human power or ability to direct their own steps or guide their path. This emphasizes the absence of autonomous self-direction.
- "to direct his steps":
- Hebrew: lāḵên ’êš ’ādām ‘ālîyô (לָכֵן אִישׁ אָדָם עָלָיו) – not for man that he directs his step. (Literal interpretation).
- Meaning: To ordain, establish, or guide his path. The idea is that humans lack the inherent capacity to determine their own course of life and its ultimate outcome.
Jeremiah 10 23 Bonus Section
The acknowledgment by Jeremiah is crucial in understanding the biblical worldview, which consistently presents God as the sovereign Creator and sustainer. Human autonomy, while present in the ability to choose, is ultimately bounded by and subject to God's plan and power. This verse contrasts sharply with philosophies or ideologies that promote absolute human self-determination or the idea that one's destiny is solely determined by personal choices independent of divine influence. The prophet's statement reflects a deep spiritual maturity, recognizing the profound limitations of human understanding and will when measured against the infinite wisdom and power of God. This truth is foundational for developing faith, as it fosters a posture of trust and submission to God's unfolding purposes.
Jeremiah 10 23 Commentary
This verse articulates a profound theological truth about divine sovereignty and human limitation. Jeremiah acknowledges that despite human intentions and efforts, the ultimate direction of life's journey rests not with man, but with God. This is a rejection of self-reliance and an embrace of dependence on the Almighty. In a cultural context rife with polytheistic beliefs that attributed control over human affairs to various gods and destiny, Jeremiah emphasizes that the true God, Yahweh, is the sole controller of all human paths and destinies. This understanding leads to humility and a reliance on divine wisdom rather than human presumption. It's a call to align one's life with God's will, trusting His ultimate guidance.