Jeremiah 51:17

¹⁵ He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.

¹⁶ When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.

¹⁸ They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

¹⁹ The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: the LORD of hosts is his name.

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: Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them.
KJV: Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
WEB: “Every man has become stupid and without knowledge. Every goldsmith is disappointed by his image, for his molten images are falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
ASV: Every man is become brutish [and is] without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his image; for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
DARBY: Every man is become brutish, so as to have no knowledge; every founder is put to shame by the graven image, for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
BLB: Every man is brutish, without knowledge; every metalsmith is put to shame by the carved image, for deception [is] his molten image, and no breath [is] in them.

ÅB: Hvert menneske blir ufornuftig, uten forstand; hver gullsmed har skam av sine utskårne bilder, hans støpte bilder er løgn, og det er ingen ånd i dem.
OTB: Da vil jeg sette fremmede over henne, Og de onde vil være i hennes midte; Jeg vil gjøre slutt på deres ondskap, Og lyden av deres sanger vil ikke bli hørt mer.
B1930: Hvert menneske blir ufornuftig, uten forstand; hver gullsmed har skam av sine utskårne billeder, hans støpte billeder er løgn, og det er ingen ånd i dem.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Jeremiah 10:14
Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
Read in context
Habakkuk 2:18–19
What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?
Read in context
Isaiah 44:18–20
They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.
Read in context
Psalms 14:2
The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
Read in context
Romans 1:20–23
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Read in context
Jeremiah 50:2
Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.
Read in context
1 Corinthians 1:19–21
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
Read in context
Psalms 53:1–2
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
Read in context