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<!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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so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/18.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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. <a href="/esv/jeremiah/18.htm">English Standard Version</a> And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. <a href="/bsb/jeremiah/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/18.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/18.htm">New King James Version</a> 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. <a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> 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. <a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> 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. <a href="/lsb/jeremiah/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> 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. <a href="/amp/jeremiah/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But the vessel that he was making from clay was spoiled by the potter’s hand; so he made it over, reworking it and making it into another pot that seemed good to him. <a href="/csb/jeremiah/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But the jar that he was making from the clay became flawed in the potter’s hand, so he made it into another jar, as it seemed right for him to do. <a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/asv/jeremiah/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/jeremiah/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> And whenever the clay would not take the shape he wanted, he would change his mind and form it into some other shape. <a href="/erv/jeremiah/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/jeremiah/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> 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. <a href="/gnt/jeremiah/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> Whenever a piece of pottery turned out imperfect, he would take the clay and make it into something else. <a href="/isv/jeremiah/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/msb/jeremiah/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/jeremiah/18.htm">NET Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nheb/jeremiah/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> 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. <a href="/wbt/jeremiah/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/web/jeremiah/18.htm">World English Bible</a> 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">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/ylt/jeremiah/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 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. <a href="/slt/jeremiah/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> 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">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/jeremiah/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> 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. <a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> 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. <a href="/nabre/jeremiah/18.htm">New American Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> 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. <a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> 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">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/jeremiah/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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. <a href="/sep/jeremiah/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> 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 it. <a href="/parallel/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</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> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/18.htm">The Potter and the Clay</a> …3So I went down to the potter’s house and saw him working at the wheel. 4<a href="/hebrew/3627.htm" title="3627: hak·kə·lî (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: ’ă·šer (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: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">he</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ō·śeh (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·ḥō·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: wə·niš·ḥaṯ (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·yō·w·ṣêr (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: wə·šāḇ (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: bə·yaḏ (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">hand;</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: way·ya·‘ă·śê·hū (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: ’a·ḥêr (Adj-ms) -- Another. From 'achar; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.">it into another</a> <a href="/hebrew/3627.htm" title="3627: kə·lî (N-ms) -- An article, utensil, vessel. From kalah; something prepared, i.e. Any apparatus.">vessel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (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: bə·‘ê·nê (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: yā·šar (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·yō·w·ṣêr (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·‘ă·śō·wṯ (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> 5Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/64-8.htm">Isaiah 64:8</a> 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. <a href="/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20-21</a> But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” / 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? <a href="/2_timothy/2-20.htm">2 Timothy 2:20-21</a> 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. <a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a> Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’? <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a> 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. <a href="/job/10-8.htm">Job 10:8-9</a> 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? <a href="/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16</a> You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pottery say of the potter, “He has no understanding”? <a href="/2_corinthians/4-7.htm">2 Corinthians 4:7</a> Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us. <a href="/lamentations/4-2.htm">Lamentations 4:2</a> 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’s hands! <a href="/psalms/2-9.htm">Psalm 2:9</a> You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.” <a href="/revelation/2-27.htm">Revelation 2:27</a> He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery—just as I have received authority from My Father. <a href="/proverbs/16-9.htm">Proverbs 16:9</a> A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. <a href="/ephesians/2-10.htm">Ephesians 2:10</a> For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">1 Corinthians 3:9</a> For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. <a href="/job/33-6.htm">Job 33:6</a> I am just like you before God; I was also formed from clay.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.made of clay was marred in.<a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6</a> O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.<a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a> Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive 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?<a href="/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20-23</a> Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? … <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>1. <a href="/jeremiah/18-1.htm">Under the type of a potter is shown God's absolute power in disposing of nations.</a> 11. <a href="/jeremiah/18-11.htm">Judgments threatened to Judah for her strange revolt.</a> 18. <a href="/jeremiah/18-18.htm">Jeremiah prays against his conspirators.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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 ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But the vessel that he was shaping from the clay 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.became flawed in his hand; 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.so he formed it into another vessel, 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.as it seemed best for him to do. 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. <a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a> A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah. Known for his messages of warning and hope. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_potter.htm">The Potter</a> Represents God, who has sovereign control over His creation, shaping and molding according to His will. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_clay.htm">The Clay</a> Symbolizes the people of Israel (and by extension, all of humanity), who are in the hands of God, being shaped and formed. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_potter's_house.htm">The Potter's House</a> The location where God instructs Jeremiah to go, serving as a visual lesson of God's sovereignty and creative power. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_vessel.htm">The Vessel</a> Represents the outcome of God's work with His people, which can be reshaped if flawed.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> 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. <a href="/topical/h/human_imperfection.htm">Human Imperfection</a> Like the flawed vessel, we are imperfect. Acknowledging our flaws allows God to reshape us into something better. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_renewal.htm">Repentance and Renewal</a> When we recognize our flaws, we should seek God's forgiveness and allow Him to renew us, just as the potter reshapes the clay. <a href="/topical/p/purpose_and_potential.htm">Purpose and Potential</a> God has a purpose for each of us. Even when we falter, He can still mold us into vessels for His glory. <a href="/topical/p/patience_in_the_process.htm">Patience in the Process</a> 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> <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> <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> <a href="/q/why_choose_judas_as_a_disciple.htm">What are Vessels of Wrath?</a> <a href="/q/why_compare_humans_to_clay,_just_god.htm">Romans 9:20–21: 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) Of clay.--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.He made it again.--Literally, and more vividly, he returned and made. 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>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - And the vessel that he made, etc.; rather, And whensoever the vessel... was marred in the hand of the potter, he made it again another vessel <a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But the vessel הַכְּלִ֗י (hak·kə·lî) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3627.htm">Strong's 3627: </a> Something prepared, any apparatus that אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that he ה֥וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are was shaping עֹשֶׂ֛ה (‘ō·śeh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make from the clay בַּחֹ֖מֶר (ba·ḥō·mer) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2563.htm">Strong's 2563: </a> A bubbling up, of water, a wave, of earth, mire, clay, a heap, a chomer, dry measure became flawed וְנִשְׁחַ֣ת (wə·niš·ḥaṯ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7843.htm">Strong's 7843: </a> Perhaps to go to ruin in [his] הַיּוֹצֵ֑ר (hay·yō·w·ṣêr) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3335.htm">Strong's 3335: </a> To mould into a, form, as a, potter, to determine hand; בְּיַ֣ד (bə·yaḏ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand so he formed וַֽיַּעֲשֵׂ֙הוּ֙ (way·ya·‘ă·śê·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make it into another אַחֵ֔ר (’a·ḥêr) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_312.htm">Strong's 312: </a> Hinder, next, other vessel, כְּלִ֣י (kə·lî) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3627.htm">Strong's 3627: </a> Something prepared, any apparatus as כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that it seemed בְּעֵינֵ֥י (bə·‘ê·nê) Preposition-b | Noun - cdc <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> An eye, a fountain best יָשַׁ֛ר (yā·šar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3474.htm">Strong's 3474: </a> To be straight, even, to be, right, pleasant, prosperous for him הַיּוֹצֵ֖ר (hay·yō·w·ṣêr) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3335.htm">Strong's 3335: </a> To mould into a, form, as a, potter, to determine to do. לַעֲשֽׂוֹת׃ (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4 Catholic Bible</a> <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>