Jeremiah 10 3

Jeremiah 10:3 kjv

For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

Jeremiah 10:3 nkjv

For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.

Jeremiah 10:3 niv

For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.

Jeremiah 10:3 esv

for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman.

Jeremiah 10:3 nlt

Their ways are futile and foolish.
They cut down a tree, and a craftsman carves an idol.

Jeremiah 10 verses

Jeremiah 10 3 Meaning

This verse describes a specific method of idol making, emphasizing the human effort and materials involved. It highlights the crafted nature of idols, contrasting them with the Creator God. The verse details that these crafted figures are made from wood, specifically by a craftsman.

Jeremiah 10 3 Context

Jeremiah 10:1-16 is a prophetic oracle directed against the idolatry of Judah and surrounding nations, specifically highlighting the folly of worshipping man-made gods. At the time of Jeremiah, many Israelites had fallen into syncretism, adopting the idolatrous practices of their neighbors, particularly the Canaanites and later the Babylonians. The chapter serves as a stark contrast between the true Creator God, Yahweh, and the powerless idols that humans fashion. This specific verse, verse 3, details the material and process of creating these idols, aiming to expose their inherent worthlessness and the delusion of those who rely on them. The background is one of religious apostasy and the impending judgment of God that will fall upon Judah due to their disobedience.

Jeremiah 10 3 Word analysis

• “for” (כִּי / ki): A conjunction introducing a reason or explanation. Here it signifies that the following description of idol making explains why the customs are worthless.

• “the customs” (מַעֲשֵׂ֣י / ma'asei): The plural form of “work” or “deed.” It refers to the practices and behaviors of the people, particularly their religious observances and the traditions they follow.

• “of the peoples” (הָעַמִּ֣ים / ha'ammim): Refers to the nations around Israel, who were known for their polytheistic worship and idol cults. This includes nations like the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Canaanites.

• “are worthless” (הֶבֶל / hebel): Means “vapor,” “breath,” “vanity,” or “emptiness.” It signifies futility, transience, and lack of substance or meaning. It emphasizes that these customs and their objects of worship lead to nothing beneficial or lasting.

• “a tree” (עֵץ / ets): Refers to wood, the raw material. It highlights that the object of worship is a natural element, common and mundane.

• “from the forest” (מִיַּ֔עַר / mi-ya'ar): Specifies the origin of the tree, emphasizing that it is a common element of nature, accessible to anyone, not possessing any divine qualities inherently.

• “is cut down” (יִכָּרֵ֑ת / yikkaret): Passive voice of the verb “to cut off” or “to fell.” It describes the act of harvesting the wood from the forest.

• “and worked with” (וְיִתְּבֵ֑נִי / v'yitbe'ni): This phrase is debated in its exact translation and context. Some understand it as "fashioned" or "worked by the craftsman's hands." The Hebrew verb נוֹסֵךְ (nosekh) is related to "founding" or "casting," but in this context with wood, it suggests skilled crafting or working of the material. Other translations suggest "made with tools" or "shaped by skill."

• “the craftsman’s hands” (יְדֵי־חָרָשִׁ֑ים / y'dei-charashim): Refers to the hands of artisans or skilled workers, highlighting that the idol is the product of human labor and skill, not divine power.

• Group Analysis: "the customs of the peoples are worthless" (מַעֲשֵׂי הָעַמִּים הֶבֶל): This collective phrase sets up the central argument against idolatry: the practices of the nations, which are deeply ingrained in their culture and religion, are ultimately futile and empty because their foundation is in the worship of created things rather than the Creator.

• Group Analysis: "a tree from the forest is cut down and worked with the craftsman's hands" (עֵץ מִיַּעַר יִכָּרֵת וְיִתְּבֵנִי יְדֵי חָרָשִׁים): This phrase paints a vivid picture of the genesis of an idol. It emphasizes the earthly, natural origin of the material and the human effort involved in its creation, thereby undermining any claims of divinity. The progression from raw wood to a fashioned image is a tangible demonstration of its manufactured nature.

Jeremiah 10 3 Bonus section

The specific wood used for idol making varied among ancient cultures, often chosen for its perceived symbolic meanings or its durability. In many ancient Near Eastern contexts, trees like cedar, oak, and acacia were often used due to their availability and durability, and some also carried religious or symbolic significance. The meticulous process described, down to the use of nails to secure parts, highlights the physical labor and craft involved, directly refuting any idea of the idol being supernaturally generated or inherently divine. This verse also participates in a broader polemic within the Old Testament against the gods of the surrounding nations, a consistent theme aimed at maintaining the unique covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, distinguishing them from the paganistic practices that were prevalent and tempting. The repetition of this theme, from the golden calf incident in Exodus to Isaiah and Jeremiah's condemnations, demonstrates its crucial importance in Israel's theological identity.

Jeremiah 10 3 Commentary

Jeremiah 10:3 serves as a powerful indictment of idolatry by focusing on the human manufacturing process. It starkly contrasts the pagan nations' religious customs, rooted in the worship of man-made objects, with the supremacy of Yahweh. The verse’s emphasis on a tree from the forest being worked by human hands underscores that idols are entirely earthly creations, devoid of inherent power or divinity. This process, from felling the tree to shaping it, is portrayed as a vain expenditure of effort. It’s not divine craftsmanship but human skill that brings these false gods into existence. This act of creation is inherently flawed because it originates from those who are themselves creations. The utter dependency of the idol on its maker signifies its lack of self-existence and power, a concept directly opposed to the self-existent, sovereign God revealed in the Scriptures. The verse aims to shatter any illusion that these wooden statues possess divine attributes or capabilities, pointing out the absurdity of worshipping something that originates from common, natural resources and human labor.

• Practical application: The verse teaches us to critically examine the foundations of our beliefs and practices. Are we following customs or beliefs that are merely human traditions, lacking true substance or divine authority? It calls us to discern between the authentic work of God and human imitations. We should not place our trust in anything created or fashioned by human hands, whether material possessions, institutions, or even our own achievements, but rather in the living God who created all things.