Jeremiah 10:5
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.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
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.
7 Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”
- KJV
- 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.
- WEB
- They are like a palm tree, of turned work, and don’t speak. They must be carried, because they can’t move. Don’t be afraid of them; for they can’t do evil, neither is it in them to do good.”
- ASV
- They are like a palm-tree, of turned work, and speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.
- DARBY
- They are as a palm-column of turned work, and they speak not; they are carried, for they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
- BLB
- They [are] like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, and they do not speak; They must be carried, because they can not step. You should not be afraid of them, for they can do no harm, and also to do good [is] not in them.”
- ÅB
- Som en dreiet søyle er de ting som blir laget, og de kan ikke tale; bæres må de; for de kan ikke gå! Frykt ikke for dem! For de kan ikke gjøre ondt, og å gjøre godt står heller ikke i deres makt.
- OTB
- De er som en fugleskremsel i en agurkåker, ute av stand til å tale; de må bæres fordi de ikke kan gå. Frykt dem ikke; de kan ikke gjøre noen skade, og heller ikke kan de gjøre noe godt.»
- B1930
- Som en dreiet søile er de ting som blir laget, og de kan ikke tale; bæres må de; for de kan ikke gå! Frykt ikke for dem! For de kan ikke gjøre ondt, og å gjøre godt står heller ikke i deres makt.
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 context1 Corinthians 12:2
Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
Read in contextPsalms 115:5–8
They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
Read in contextIsaiah 41:23–24
Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.
Read in context1 Corinthians 8:4
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
Read in contextHabakkuk 2:19
Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.
Read in contextPsalms 135:16–18
They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
Read in contextIsaiah 46:1
Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.
Read in context