Chapter Ten

1–9. The worthlessness of idols. 10–16. The greatness of Jehovah. 17–25. One must bow before the decree of Jehovah.

Jer 10:1-9. All pagan omens and pagan worship of gods, especially the worship of various idols, is exceedingly senseless. With irony the prophet speaks of how these idols are made.

Jeremiah 10:1. Hear the word which the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel. “House of Israel” means the northern tribes found in captivity (see Jer 3:11 and following; Jer 7:12).

Jeremiah 10:2. Thus says the Lord: Do not learn the way of the nations, and do not be dismayed by the signs of the heavens although the nations are dismayed by them. “The ways of the nations” means the manner of life of the nations and especially their religion. “Signs of the heavens” are certain extraordinary phenomena in the world of the heavenly bodies.

Jeremiah 10:3. For the customs of the peoples are futile: they cut down a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of a craftsman with an ax, “Customs” means the basic principles of faith. (Regarding idols see Isa 40:19 and following; Isa 41:7; Isa 44:12 and following)

Jeremiah 10:5. They are like a rounded post and do not speak; they must be carried, because they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, nor can they do any good. “Like a rounded post” more accurately: like a scarecrow for birds in a garden. (Compare Isa 46:7 and Isa 41:23).

Jeremiah 10:9. Silver is beaten into sheets and brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the craftsman and the hands of the goldsmith; their clothing is blue and purple: all of this is the work of skilled craftsmen. “Tarshish” see Isa 23:1. “Uphaz” is Ophir (Targum, Theodotion). Jer 10:10-16. In contrast to the worthlessness of idols, the prophet describes the greatness of Jehovah, before whom all idols fall.

Jeremiah 10:13. When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he makes the clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses. Concerning the storehouses of the wind see Job 38:22. Jer 10:17-25. The prophet foresees the attack of the Babylonians on Jerusalem, the fall of the city, and the leading away of the Judean people into captivity. One should not grumble against such a decision of Jehovah, because the Judeans themselves are guilty of their own destruction. Moreover, it is not necessary to regard the defeat of the Judeans as final.

Jeremiah 10:17. Gather your bundle from the ground, you who are to sit under siege; Here the prophet, apparently, is addressing the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 10:19. Woe is me because of my bruise; my wound is grievous. But I said, surely this is an affliction, and I must bear it; “My affliction” means it is deserved by me. The prophet speaks on behalf of the better part of the Judean people.

Jeremiah 10:24. Correct me, O Lord, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing. The people beseech God to lessen the measure of the punishment they have deserved. Special remarks. The section from verse 1 to verse 16 stands as completely self-contained, whereas verses 17–25 in form and content clearly connect with the previous utterances from the times of Josiah and Jehoiakim and perhaps form the conclusion to the Temple discourse contained in chapters VI–IX. In the LXX text verses 6, 7, 8, and 10 are missing. There is a fairly significant difference between the authentic text and the LXX text also in the section from verses 17 to 25.