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Jeremiah 18:4 But the vessel that he was shaping from the clay became flawed in his hand; so he formed it into another vessel, as it seemed best for him to do.

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 18:4 But the vessel that he was shaping from the clay became flawed in his hand; so he formed it into another vessel, as it seemed best for him to do.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/18-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/24_Jer_18_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 18:4 - The Potter and the Clay" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But the vessel that he was shaping from the clay became flawed in his hand; so he formed it into another vessel, as it seemed best for him to do." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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(Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter&#8217;s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the vessel that he was shaping from the clay became flawed in his hand; so he formed it into another vessel, as it seemed best for him to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make <i>it</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But the vessel that he was making of clay was ruined in the hand of the potter, so he turned around and made it into another vessel, according to what was right in the eyes of the potter to make.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But the vessel that he was making from clay was spoiled by the potter&#8217;s hand; so he made it over, reworking it and making it into another pot that seemed good to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the jar that he was making from the clay became flawed in the potter&#8217;s hand, so he made it into another jar, as it seemed right for him to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the jar that he was making from the clay became flawed in the potter&#8217s hand, so he made it into another jar, as it seemed right for him to do. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And when the vessel that he made of the clay was marred in the hand of the potter, he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />And whenever the clay would not take the shape he wanted, he would change his mind and form it into some other shape. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And when the vessel that he made of the clay was marred in the hand of the potter, he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/18.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />Whenever a clay pot he was working on was ruined, he would rework it into a new clay pot the way he wanted to make it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Whenever a piece of pottery turned out imperfect, he would take the clay and make it into something else. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But the vessel he was working on with the clay was ruined in the potter's hand. So he remade it into another vessel that seemed appropriate to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the vessel that he was shaping from the clay became flawed in his hand; so he formed it into another vessel, as it seemed best for him to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now and then there would be something wrong with the pot he was molding from the clay with his hands. So he would rework the clay into another kind of pot as he saw fit. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When the vessel that he made of the clay was marred in the hand of the potter, he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When the vessel that he made of the clay was marred in the hand of the potter, he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the vessel that he is making is marred, as clay in the hand of the potter, and he has turned and he makes it another vessel, as it was right in the eyes of the potter to make.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and marred is the vessel that he is making, as clay in the hand of the potter, and he hath turned and he maketh it another vessel, as it was right in the eyes of the potter to make.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the vessel which he made was destroyed as clay in the hand of the potter: and he turned back, and he will make another vessel as was right in the eyes of the potter to make.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the vessel was broken which he was making with clay with his hands: and turning he made another vessel, as it seemed good in his eyes to make it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the vessel, which he was making with his hands out of clay, broke. And turning away, he made another vessel, for it had been pleasing in his eyes to make it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Whenever the vessel of clay he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making another vessel of whatever sort he pleased.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter&#8217;s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the vessel which he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he mixed the clay and made it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the vessel of clay that he had made was ruined in the hand of the Potter, and he returned and he made another vessel as he pleased<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And whensoever the vessel that he made of the clay was marred in the hand of the potter, he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the vessel which he was making with his hands fell: so he made it again another vessel, as it seemed good to him to make <i>it</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=5338" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/18.htm">The Potter and the Clay</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">3</span>So I went down to the potter&#8217;s house and saw him working at the wheel. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3627.htm" title="3627: hak&#183;k&#601;&#183;l&#238; (Art:: N-ms) -- An article, utensil, vessel. From kalah; something prepared, i.e. Any apparatus.">But the vessel</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: &#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#353;er (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: h&#363; (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">he</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: &#8216;&#333;&#183;&#347;eh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">was shaping</a> <a href="/hebrew/2563.htm" title="2563: ba&#183;&#7717;&#333;&#183;mer (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- From chamar; properly, a bubbling up, i.e. Of water, a wave; of earth, mire or clay; also a heap; hence, a chomer or dry measure.">from the clay</a> <a href="/hebrew/7843.htm" title="7843: w&#601;&#183;ni&#353;&#183;&#7717;a&#7791; (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- Perhaps to go to ruin. A primitive root; to decay, i.e. ruin.">became flawed</a> <a href="/hebrew/3335.htm" title="3335: hay&#183;y&#333;&#183;w&#183;&#7779;&#234;r (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- Probably identical with yatsar;); to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. Form a resolution).">in his</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: w&#601;&#183;&#353;&#257;&#7687; (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: b&#601;&#183;ya&#7695; (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">hand;</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: way&#183;ya&#183;&#8216;a&#774;&#183;&#347;&#234;&#183;h&#363; (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">so he formed</a> <a href="/hebrew/312.htm" title="312: &#8217;a&#183;&#7717;&#234;r (Adj-ms) -- Another. From 'achar; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.">it into another</a> <a href="/hebrew/3627.htm" title="3627: k&#601;&#183;l&#238; (N-ms) -- An article, utensil, vessel. From kalah; something prepared, i.e. Any apparatus.">vessel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka&#183;&#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#353;er (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">as</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: b&#601;&#183;&#8216;&#234;&#183;n&#234; (Prep-b:: N-cdc) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">it seemed</a> <a href="/hebrew/3474.htm" title="3474: y&#257;&#183;&#353;ar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To be smooth, straight, or right. A primitive root; to be straight or even; figuratively, to be right, pleasant, prosperous.">best</a> <a href="/hebrew/3335.htm" title="3335: hay&#183;y&#333;&#183;w&#183;&#7779;&#234;r (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- Probably identical with yatsar;); to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. Form a resolution).">for him</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: la&#183;&#8216;a&#774;&#183;&#347;&#333;&#183;w&#7791; (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">to do.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-8.htm">Isaiah 64:8</a></span><br />But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20-21</a></span><br />But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, &#8220;Why did You make me like this?&#8221; / Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/2-20.htm">2 Timothy 2:20-21</a></span><br />A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use. / So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a></span><br />Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker&#8212;one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, &#8216;What are you making?&#8217; Does your work say, &#8216;He has no hands&#8217;?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a></span><br />Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/10-8.htm">Job 10:8-9</a></span><br />Your hands shaped me and altogether formed me. Would You now turn and destroy me? / Please remember that You molded me like clay. Would You now return me to dust?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16</a></span><br />You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, &#8220;He did not make me&#8221;? Can the pottery say of the potter, &#8220;He has no understanding&#8221;?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-7.htm">2 Corinthians 4:7</a></span><br />Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/4-2.htm">Lamentations 4:2</a></span><br />How the precious sons of Zion, once worth their weight in pure gold, are now esteemed as jars of clay, the work of a potter&#8217;s hands!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/2-9.htm">Psalm 2:9</a></span><br />You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-27.htm">Revelation 2:27</a></span><br />He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery&#8212;just as I have received authority from My Father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-9.htm">Proverbs 16:9</a></span><br />A man&#8217;s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-10.htm">Ephesians 2:10</a></span><br />For we are God&#8217;s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">1 Corinthians 3:9</a></span><br />For we are God&#8217;s fellow workers; you are God&#8217;s field, God&#8217;s building.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/33-6.htm">Job 33:6</a></span><br />I am just like you before God; I was also formed from clay.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.</p><p class="hdg">made of clay was marred in.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6</a></b></br> O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay <i>is</i> in the potter's hand, so <i>are</i> ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a></b></br> Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! <i>Let</i> the potsherd <i>strive</i> with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20-23</a></b></br> Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed <i>it</i>, Why hast thou made me thus? &#8230; </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/55-2.htm">Best</a> <a href="/isaiah/64-8.htm">Clay</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-7.htm">Damaged</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-13.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-17.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-16.htm">Formed</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-12.htm">Forming</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-6.htm">Good</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-21.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-21.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-5.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-3.htm">Making</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-7.htm">Marred</a> <a href="/isaiah/53-10.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/jeremiah/1-13.htm">Pot</a> <a href="/isaiah/64-8.htm">Potter</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-3.htm">Potter's</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-16.htm">Right</a> <a href="/isaiah/53-4.htm">Seemed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-7.htm">Spoiled</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-5.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-20.htm">Vessel</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-17.htm">Whensoever</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/22-7.htm">Best</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Clay</a> <a href="/amos/9-11.htm">Damaged</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-10.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-2.htm">Formed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-2.htm">Forming</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-10.htm">Good</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/jeremiah/21-2.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-16.htm">Making</a> <a href="/nahum/2-2.htm">Marred</a> <a href="/jeremiah/37-20.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-28.htm">Pot</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Potter</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Potter's</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-15.htm">Right</a> <a href="/jeremiah/27-5.htm">Seemed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/21-12.htm">Spoiled</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-8.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-1.htm">Vessel</a> <a href="/mark/3-11.htm">Whensoever</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/18-1.htm">Under the type of a potter is shown God's absolute power in disposing of nations.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/18-11.htm">Judgments threatened to Judah for her strange revolt.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/18-18.htm">Jeremiah prays against his conspirators.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>But the vessel that he was shaping from the clay</b><br>This phrase introduces the imagery of the potter and the clay, a common metaphor in biblical literature symbolizing God's sovereignty over His creation. The potter represents God, and the clay represents Israel or humanity. This imagery is rooted in the ancient Near Eastern context, where pottery was a vital craft. The potter's wheel was a familiar sight, and the process of shaping clay was well understood by Jeremiah's audience. This metaphor emphasizes God's authority and creative power, as seen in other scriptures like <a href="/isaiah/64-8.htm">Isaiah 64:8</a>, where God is also depicted as the potter.<p><b>became flawed in his hand;</b><br>The flaw in the vessel signifies Israel's moral and spiritual failures. Despite being in the hands of the divine potter, the clay (Israel) has become marred due to disobedience and idolatry. This reflects the historical context of Jeremiah's ministry, where he prophesied during a time of great apostasy and impending judgment. The flaw is not due to the potter's skill but the clay's resistance, symbolizing human rebellion against God's will. This concept is echoed in <a href="/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20-21</a>, where Paul discusses God's right to shape His creation as He sees fit.<p><b>so he formed it into another vessel,</b><br>This part of the verse highlights God's redemptive power and willingness to reshape and restore. Despite the initial flaw, the potter does not discard the clay but reworks it into something new. This reflects God's grace and patience, offering Israel a chance for repentance and renewal. It underscores the theme of transformation found throughout scripture, such as in <a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a>, where believers are described as new creations in Christ.<p><b>as it seemed best for him to do.</b><br>The potter's decision to reshape the vessel according to his own judgment underscores God's wisdom and sovereignty. It implies that God's plans are ultimately for the good, even when they involve correction or discipline. This aligns with the biblical theme that God's ways and thoughts are higher than human understanding, as stated in <a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>. It also points to the idea that God's purposes are ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who embodies the perfect vessel of God's will and redemption for humanity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah. Known for his messages of warning and hope.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_potter.htm">The Potter</a></b><br>Represents God, who has sovereign control over His creation, shaping and molding according to His will.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_clay.htm">The Clay</a></b><br>Symbolizes the people of Israel (and by extension, all of humanity), who are in the hands of God, being shaped and formed.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_potter's_house.htm">The Potter's House</a></b><br>The location where God instructs Jeremiah to go, serving as a visual lesson of God's sovereignty and creative power.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_vessel.htm">The Vessel</a></b><br>Represents the outcome of God's work with His people, which can be reshaped if flawed.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>God has the ultimate authority and power to shape our lives according to His will. We must trust His wisdom and submit to His shaping process.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/human_imperfection.htm">Human Imperfection</a></b><br>Like the flawed vessel, we are imperfect. Acknowledging our flaws allows God to reshape us into something better.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_renewal.htm">Repentance and Renewal</a></b><br>When we recognize our flaws, we should seek God's forgiveness and allow Him to renew us, just as the potter reshapes the clay.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purpose_and_potential.htm">Purpose and Potential</a></b><br>God has a purpose for each of us. Even when we falter, He can still mold us into vessels for His glory.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/patience_in_the_process.htm">Patience in the Process</a></b><br>Just as clay takes time to be shaped, we must be patient with God's timing and process in our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_jer._18_fit_with_god's_omniscience.htm">Jeremiah 18 portrays God as learning from people's actions; how does that reconcile with the belief in His omniscience?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_blame_all_for_some's_guilt_in_jeremiah_18.htm">Why would a just God hold the entire 'clay' (nation) responsible when individuals have varying degrees of guilt, per Jeremiah 18?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_choose_judas_as_a_disciple.htm">What are Vessels of Wrath?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_compare_humans_to_clay,_just_god.htm">Romans 9:20&#8211;21: Why would a just God compare humans to clay destined for either honorable or dishonorable use? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Of clay.</span>--The reading in the margin, which gives "as clay," must be regarded as a clerical error, originating, probably, in the desire to bring the text into conformity with <a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm" title="O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? said the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.">Jeremiah 18:6</a>, that in the text of the Authorised Version being confirmed by many MSS. and Versions.<p><span class= "bld">He made it again.</span>--Literally, and more vividly, <span class= "ital">he returned and made. </span>As we read, we have to remember that what is narrated in a few words implied a long train of thoughts. The prophet went by the impulse which he knew to be from God to the "field" in the valley of Hinnom; he stood and gazed, and then as he watched he was led to see in the potter's work a parable of the world's history: God as the great artificer, men and nations as the vessels which He makes for honourable or dishonourable uses (<a href="/2_timothy/2-20.htm" title="But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.">2Timothy 2:20</a>; <a href="/romans/9-21.htm" title="Has not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel to honor, and another to dishonor?">Romans 9:21</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And the vessel that he made</span>, etc.; rather, And <span class="accented">whensoever the vessel... was marred in the hand of the potter</span>, <span class="accented">he made it again another vessel</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But the vessel</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1463;&#1499;&#1468;&#1456;&#1500;&#1460;&#1431;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(hak&#183;k&#601;&#183;l&#238;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article &#124; Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3627.htm">Strong's 3627: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something prepared, any apparatus</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1458;&#1513;&#1473;&#1462;&#1448;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#353;er)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1445;&#1493;&#1468;&#1488;</span> <span class="translit">(h&#363;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was shaping</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1506;&#1465;&#1513;&#1474;&#1462;&#1435;&#1492;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8216;&#333;&#183;&#347;eh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the clay</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1468;&#1463;&#1495;&#1465;&#1430;&#1502;&#1462;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(ba&#183;&#7717;&#333;&#183;mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article &#124; Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2563.htm">Strong's 2563: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bubbling up, of water, a wave, of earth, mire, clay, a heap, a chomer, dry measure</span><br /><br /><span class="word">became flawed</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1456;&#1504;&#1460;&#1513;&#1473;&#1456;&#1495;&#1463;&#1443;&#1514;</span> <span class="translit">(w&#601;&#183;ni&#353;&#183;&#7717;a&#7791;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7843.htm">Strong's 7843: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps to go to ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in [his]</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1463;&#1497;&#1468;&#1493;&#1465;&#1510;&#1461;&#1425;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(hay&#183;y&#333;&#183;w&#183;&#7779;&#234;r)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article &#124; Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3335.htm">Strong's 3335: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mould into a, form, as a, potter, to determine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hand;</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1468;&#1456;&#1497;&#1463;&#1443;&#1491;</span> <span class="translit">(b&#601;&#183;ya&#7695;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b &#124; Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so he formed</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1463;&#1469;&#1497;&#1468;&#1463;&#1506;&#1458;&#1513;&#1474;&#1461;&#1433;&#1492;&#1493;&#1468;&#1433;</span> <span class="translit">(way&#183;ya&#183;&#8216;a&#774;&#183;&#347;&#234;&#183;h&#363;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular &#124; third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it into another</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1463;&#1495;&#1461;&#1428;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;a&#183;&#7717;&#234;r)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_312.htm">Strong's 312: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hinder, next, other</span><br /><br /><span class="word">vessel,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1499;&#1468;&#1456;&#1500;&#1460;&#1443;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(k&#601;&#183;l&#238;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3627.htm">Strong's 3627: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something prepared, any apparatus</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1499;&#1468;&#1463;&#1488;&#1458;&#1513;&#1473;&#1462;&#1445;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(ka&#183;&#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#353;er)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k &#124; Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it seemed</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1468;&#1456;&#1506;&#1461;&#1497;&#1504;&#1461;&#1445;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(b&#601;&#183;&#8216;&#234;&#183;n&#234;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b &#124; Noun - cdc<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">best</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1497;&#1464;&#1513;&#1473;&#1463;&#1435;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(y&#257;&#183;&#353;ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3474.htm">Strong's 3474: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be straight, even, to be, right, pleasant, prosperous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for him</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1463;&#1497;&#1468;&#1493;&#1465;&#1510;&#1461;&#1430;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(hay&#183;y&#333;&#183;w&#183;&#7779;&#234;r)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article &#124; Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3335.htm">Strong's 3335: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mould into a, form, as a, potter, to determine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to do.</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1463;&#1506;&#1458;&#1513;&#1474;&#1469;&#1493;&#1465;&#1514;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(la&#183;&#8216;a&#774;&#183;&#347;&#333;&#183;w&#7791;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l &#124; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/18-4.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 18:4 When the vessel that he made (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/18-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 18:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 18:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/18-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 18:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 18:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>

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