Jeremiah 10:4
2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
3 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.
They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter.
- KJV
- They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
- WEB
- They deck it with silver and with gold. They fasten it with nails and with hammers, so that it can’t move.
- ASV
- They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
- DARBY
- they deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
- BLB
- They decorate it with silver and with gold, they fasten [it] with nails and with hammers so that it will not totter.
- ÅB
- med sølv og gull pryder de det; med spiker og hammer fester de det, så det ikke skal falle.
- OTB
- De pynter det med sølv og gull; de fester det med spiker og hammere så det ikke skal falle.
- B1930
- med sølv og gull pryder de det; med spiker og hammer fester de det, så det ikke skal falle.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Isaiah 46:7
They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
Read in contextIsaiah 40:19–20
The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.
Read in contextIsaiah 41:6–7
They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.
Read in contextIsaiah 44:12
The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.
Read in contextPsalms 115:4
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
Read in contextPsalms 135:15
The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
Read in context