Bible Compass
Log inGet started
Back to the chapter

Jeremiah 51:18

16 When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses.

17 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.

They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish.

19 The Portion of Jacob is not like these, for He is the Maker of all things, and of the tribe of His inheritance— the LORD of Hosts is His name.

20 “You are My war club, My weapon for battle. With you I shatter nations; with you I bring kingdoms to ruin.

Read the whole chapter

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 are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish.
KJV
They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
WEB
They are vanity, a work of delusion. In the time of their visitation, they will perish.
ASV
They are vanity, a work of delusion: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
DARBY
They are vanity, a work of delusion: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
BLB
They [are] a vapor, a work of delusion; in the time of their visitation they will perish.
ÅB
De er tomhet, et verk som vekker spott; på sin hjemsøkelses tid skal de gå til grunne.
OTB
Jeg vil gjøre Babylon til en besittelse for pinnsvinet, Og vannbassenger, Jeg vil feie henne med ødeleggelsens kost,’ Sier Herren av hærskarene.
B1930
De er tomhet, et verk som vekker spott; på sin hjemsøkelses tid skal de gå til grunne.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Jeremiah 46:25

    The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I am about to punish Amon god of Thebes, along with Pharaoh, Egypt with her gods and kings, and those who trust in Pharaoh.

    Read in context

  • Jonah 2:8

    Those who cling to worthless idols forsake His loving devotion.

    Read in context

  • Jeremiah 48:7

    Because you trust in your works and treasures, you too will be captured, and Chemosh will go into exile with his priests and officials.

    Read in context

  • Zephaniah 2:11

    The LORD will be terrifying to them when He starves all the gods of the earth. Then the nations of every shore will bow in worship to Him, each in its own place.

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 19:1

    This is the burden against Egypt: Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them.

    Read in context

  • Jeremiah 10:15

    They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish.

    Read in context

  • Jeremiah 43:12–13

    I will kindle a fire in the temples of the gods of Egypt, and Nebuchadnezzar will burn those temples and take their gods as captives. So he will wrap himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself in his garment, and he will depart from there unscathed.

    Read in context

  • Jeremiah 18:15

    Yet My people have forgotten Me. They burn incense to worthless idols that make them stumble in their ways, leaving the ancient roads to walk on rutted bypaths instead of on the highway.

    Read in context