Jeremiah 16:20
18 And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.
19 O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.
Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods?
21 Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is The LORD.
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
- Can man make gods for himself? Such are not gods!”
- KJV
- Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods?
- WEB
- Should a man make to himself gods which yet are no gods?”
- ASV
- Shall a man make unto himself gods, which yet are no gods?
- DARBY
- Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no-gods?
- BLB
- Can man make gods for himself? And they [are] not gods!”
- ÅB
- Skal et menneske gjøre seg guder? De er jo ikke guder.
- OTB
- Kan et menneske lage guder for seg selv? Men de er ikke guder!
- B1930
- Skal et menneske gjøre sig guder? De er jo ikke guder.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Psalms 115:4–8
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
Read in contextIsaiah 37:19
And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
Read in contextGalatians 4:8
Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
Read in contextActs 19:26
Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
Read in contextIsaiah 36:19
Where are the gods of Hamath and Arphad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?
Read in contextJeremiah 2:11
Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.
Read in contextPsalms 135:14–18
For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.
Read in contextHosea 8:4–6
They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.
Read in context