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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 10:8 But they are altogether senseless and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/10-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/24_Jer_10_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 10:8 - The Sovereignty of God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But they are altogether senseless and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood!" /><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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/jeremiah/10-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/jeremiah/10-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/">Jeremiah</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/10.htm">Chapter 10</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/jeremiah/10-7.htm" title="Jeremiah 10:7">◄</a> Jeremiah 10:8 <a href="/jeremiah/10-9.htm" title="Jeremiah 10:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/10.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/10.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They are all senseless and foolish; they are taught by worthless wooden idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/10.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />People who worship idols are stupid and foolish. The things they worship are made of wood!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/10.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They are both stupid and foolish; the instruction of idols is but wood!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But they are altogether senseless and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/10.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock <i>is</i> a doctrine of vanities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/10.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But they are altogether dull-hearted and foolish; A wooden idol <i>is</i> a worthless doctrine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But they are altogether stupid and foolish; The instruction <i>from</i> idols is <i>nothing but</i> wood!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/10.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But they are altogether stupid and foolish In their discipline of delusion— their idol is wood!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But they are altogether stupid and foolish <i>In their</i> discipline of delusion—their idol is wood!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But they are altogether senseless and foolish; <i>They are in</i> a discipline of vanities—it is <i>mere</i> wood!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But they are altogether irrational <i>and</i> stupid and foolish <i>In their</i> discipline of delusion—their idol is [only] wood [it is ridiculous, empty and worthless]!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They are both stupid and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They are both stupid and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/10.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But they are together brutish and foolish: the instruction of idols! it is but a stock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Idols are worthless, and anyone who worships them is a fool! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/10.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But they are together brutish and foolish: the instruction of idols, it is but a stock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They are complete idiots. They learn nonsense from wooden idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/10.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />All of them are stupid and foolish. What can they learn from wooden idols? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/10.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Everyone is stupid and senseless. They follow worthless instruction from a piece of wood! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But they are altogether senseless and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/10.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The people of those nations are both stupid and foolish. Instruction from a wooden idol is worthless! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But they are together brutish and foolish, the instruction of idols. It is but wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/10.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But they are together brutish and foolish, instructed by idols! It is just wood. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And as one they are brutish and foolish, "" An instruction of vanities [is] the tree itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And in one they are brutish and foolish, An instruction of vanities is the tree itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And in one they will become brutish, and they will be foolish: the tree itself a correction of vanities.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They shall all proved together to be senseless and foolish: the doctrine of their vanity is wood. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Together, they will all be proven to be unwise and foolish. The doctrine of their vanity is made of wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/10.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />One and all they are stupid and senseless, the instruction from nonentities—only wood! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They are both stupid and foolish; the instruction given by idols is no better than wood!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But altogether the vain doctrines of wooden image worship shall be utterly destroyed and consumed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/10.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And together they shall be destroyed, and worthless teachings of worshiped things of wood shall cease<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/10.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But they are altogether brutish and foolish: The vanities by which they are instructed are but a stock;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/10-8.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=3136" 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/10.htm">The Sovereignty of God</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>Who would not fear You, O King of nations? This is Your due. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ū·ḇə·’a·ḥaṯ (Conj-w, Prep-b:: Number-fs) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">But they are altogether</a> <a href="/hebrew/1197.htm" title="1197: yiḇ·‘ă·rū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To kindle, consume, to be, brutish. A primitive root; to kindle, i.e. Consume; also to be(-come) brutish.">senseless</a> <a href="/hebrew/3688.htm" title="3688: wə·yiḵ·sā·lū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-3mp) -- To be or become stupid. A primitive root; properly, to be fat, i.e. silly.">and foolish,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4148.htm" title="4148: mū·sar (N-msc) -- Discipline, chastening, correction. From yacar; properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint.">instructed</a> <a href="/hebrew/1892.htm" title="1892: hă·ḇā·lîm (N-mp) -- Or Habel; from habal; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb.">by worthless idols</a> <a href="/hebrew/6086.htm" title="6086: ‘êṣ (N-ms) -- Tree, trees, wood. From atsah; a tree; hence, wood.">made of wood!</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz—the work of a craftsman from the hands of a goldsmith. Their clothes are blue and purple, all fashioned by skilled workers.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <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/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18-20</a></span><br />They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand. / And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” / He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a></span><br />Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-7.htm">Isaiah 46:7-8</a></span><br />They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles. / Remember this and be brave; take it to heart, you transgressors!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-20.htm">1 Corinthians 1:20-25</a></span><br />Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? / For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. / Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-29.htm">Isaiah 41:29</a></span><br />See, they are all a delusion; their works amount to nothing; their images are as empty as the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/2-18.htm">Habakkuk 2:18-19</a></span><br />What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. / Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19</a></span><br />For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-18.htm">Isaiah 40:18-20</a></span><br />To whom will you liken God? To what image will you compare Him? / To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains? / One lacking such an offering chooses wood that will not rot. He seeks a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/135-15.htm">Psalm 135:15-18</a></span><br />The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-20.htm">Isaiah 45:20</a></span><br />Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry idols of wood and pray to a god that cannot save.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm">1 Corinthians 8:4-6</a></span><br />So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. / For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-28.htm">Deuteronomy 4:28</a></span><br />And there you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-29.htm">Acts 17:29-30</a></span><br />Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination. / Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/2-8.htm">Isaiah 2:8</a></span><br />Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.</p><p class="hdg">altogether.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">Jeremiah 10:14</a></b></br> Every man is brutish in <i>his</i> knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image <i>is</i> falsehood, and <i>there is</i> no breath in them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/51-17.htm">Jeremiah 51:17,18</a></b></br> Every man is brutish by <i>his</i> knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image <i>is</i> falsehood, and <i>there is</i> no breath in them… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/115-8.htm">Psalm 115:8</a></b></br> They that make them are like unto them; <i>so is</i> every one that trusteth in them.</p><p class="hdg">the stock.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/2-17.htm">Jeremiah 2:17</a></b></br> Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/44-19.htm">Isaiah 44:19</a></b></br> And none considereth in his heart, neither <i>is there</i> knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten <i>it</i>: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/4-12.htm">Hosea 4:12</a></b></br> My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused <i>them</i> to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/5-5.htm">Altogether</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-33.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-11.htm">Brutish</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-28.htm">Discipline</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-24.htm">Doctrine</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-3.htm">False.</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-3.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-18.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-3.htm">Idol</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-5.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-12.htm">Instructed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-28.htm">Instruction</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-9.htm">Itself</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Senseless</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-27.htm">Stock</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-22.htm">Stupid</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-14.htm">Taught</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-14.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-21.htm">Together</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-5.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-19.htm">Vanities</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-3.htm">Wood</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-5.htm">Wooden</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-3.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/15-18.htm">Altogether</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">Brutish</a> <a href="/jeremiah/32-33.htm">Discipline</a> <a href="/matthew/7-28.htm">Doctrine</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">False.</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-11.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-11.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-28.htm">Idol</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-19.htm">Instructed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-23.htm">Instruction</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-24.htm">Itself</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">Senseless</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-22.htm">Stock</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">Stupid</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-16.htm">Taught</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-16.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-17.htm">Together</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-16.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-22.htm">Vanities</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-2.htm">Wood</a> <a href="/jeremiah/28-13.htm">Wooden</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-15.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 10</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/10-1.htm">The unequal comparison of God and idols.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/10-17.htm">The prophet exhorts to flee from the calamity to come.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/10-19.htm">He laments the spoil of the tabernacle by foolish pastors.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/10-23.htm">He makes an humble supplication.</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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <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/10.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/10.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But they are altogether senseless and foolish</b><br>This phrase highlights the spiritual and intellectual state of those who turn away from God to follow idols. In the context of Jeremiah, the prophet is addressing the people of Judah, who have been influenced by surrounding pagan nations. The term "senseless" suggests a lack of understanding or discernment, which is a recurring theme in the Bible when describing those who reject divine wisdom (<a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a>). The word "foolish" in biblical terms often refers to moral and spiritual folly rather than mere lack of intelligence (<a href="/psalms/14.htm">Psalm 14:1</a>). This reflects the biblical view that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (<a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a>).<p><b>instructed by worthless idols</b><br>The phrase "instructed by worthless idols" underscores the futility of seeking guidance from man-made objects. In the ancient Near East, idol worship was prevalent, with people often attributing divine power to crafted images. The Bible consistently condemns idolatry, emphasizing that idols are powerless and cannot provide true guidance or salvation (<a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a>). This phrase also serves as a critique of the nations surrounding Israel, who relied on idols for instruction, contrasting with Israel's reliance on the living God. The term "worthless" indicates the lack of value and power in these idols, as seen in other scriptures like <a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a>, which describe idols as having mouths but not speaking, eyes but not seeing.<p><b>made of wood!</b><br>The mention of wood highlights the material nature of idols, emphasizing their human origin and impotence. In the ancient world, idols were often crafted from wood, stone, or metal, materials that were readily available and shaped by human hands. This serves to remind the audience of the absurdity of worshipping something that is created rather than the Creator. The Bible frequently points out the irony of idol worship, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/44-14.htm">Isaiah 44:14-17</a>, where a man uses part of a tree to warm himself and the rest to make a god. This phrase also foreshadows the New Testament's emphasis on worshiping God in spirit and truth (<a href="/john/4-24.htm">John 4:24</a>), contrasting the living God with lifeless idols.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his prophecies concerning the judgment of Judah and the coming exile. He is the author of the Book of Jeremiah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, which was often rebuked by prophets like Jeremiah for its idolatry and disobedience to God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/idols.htm">Idols</a></b><br>Objects of worship made by human hands, often representing false gods. In this context, they are described as "worthless" and "made of wood," highlighting their impotence and the folly of worshiping them.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/foolishness.htm">Foolishness</a></b><br>The Hebrew word used here is (ba'ar), which conveys a sense of brutishness or senselessness, emphasizing the irrationality of idol worship.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/prophetic_rebuke.htm">Prophetic Rebuke</a></b><br>Jeremiah's message is a part of his broader prophetic ministry, where he calls out the people of Judah for their spiritual adultery and urges them to return to the worship of the one true God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_folly_of_idolatry.htm">The Folly of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idolatry is not just a physical act but a spiritual misalignment. It represents a turning away from the living God to lifeless objects, which is senseless and foolish.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_true_worship.htm">The Call to True Worship</a></b><br>Believers are called to worship God in spirit and truth, recognizing His sovereignty and rejecting all forms of idolatry, whether physical or metaphorical.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_worship.htm">Discernment in Worship</a></b><br>Christians must be discerning about what they prioritize and value, ensuring that nothing takes the place of God in their hearts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_idols.htm">Cultural Idols</a></b><br>In today's context, idols may not be wooden statues but can be anything that takes precedence over God, such as money, power, or status.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_return.htm">Repentance and Return</a></b><br>Like the people of Judah, believers are called to repent from idolatry and return to a faithful relationship with God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_10.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 10</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_zechariah_10_2's_claims.htm">Zechariah 10:2: Is there any archaeological evidence to support or refute the condemnation of idol worship and divination here? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_jeremiah_10_8's_claim_on_wisdom_true.htm">Jeremiah 10:8: Is the accusation that the nations' wisdom is 'worthless' historically accurate considering other advanced civilizations of the time?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_idols_in_jeremiah_10_conflict_with_other_texts.htm">Jeremiah 10:14-15: Does the portrayal of idols as complete falsehood conflict with other biblical texts that acknowledge spiritual powers behind foreign gods?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_'one_god'_with_other_'gods'.htm">If, according to 1 Corinthians 8:6, there is only 'one God,' how do we reconcile this with other passages where divine beings or 'gods' are mentioned (e.g., Psalm 82)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/10.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">Altogether.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">in one, </span>probably in the sense <span class= "ital">in one word, in one fact, sc., </span>that which follows in the next clause.<p><span class= "bld">The stock is a doctrine of vanities.</span>--Better, inverting the subject and predicate, <span class= "ital">the teaching of vanities </span>(<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>of idols) <span class= "ital">is a word, </span>or <span class= "ital">is a log. </span>That is all it comes to; that one word is its condemnation.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Brutish and foolish</span>. In fact, the original meaning of the idolatrous religions had begun, probably, to fade, and the worship of Bel and Nebo had become (as the worship of the Egyptian gods became at a later period) increasingly formal and ritualistic. T<span class="cmt_word">he stock is a doctrine of vanities</span>; rather, <span class="accented">an instruction of vanities</span>; <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. all that the idols can teach is vanities. Against this is the plural ("vanities," not vanity); it is more natural (and also more in accordance with usage; comp. <a href="/genesis/41-26.htm">Genesis 41:26</a>, Hebrew) to render, <span class="accented">the instruction of the vanities is wooden</span> ("vanities" has the constant technical sense of "idols;" see <a href="/jeremiah/8-19.htm">Jeremiah 8:19</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/14-22.htm">Jeremiah 14:22</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/32-21.htm">Deuteronomy 32:21</a>; <a href="/psalms/31-6.htm">Psalm 31:6</a>). The clause then furnishes a reason for the folly of the heathen; how should they attain to more than a "wooden" knowledge, when the idols themselves are but wood? A bitter truth in an ironical form. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/10-8.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 they are altogether</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְאַחַ֖ת</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·’a·ḥaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Number - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, one, first</span><br /><br /><span class="word">senseless</span><br /><span class="heb">יִבְעֲר֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiḇ·‘ă·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1197.htm">Strong's 1197: </a> </span><span class="str2">To kindle, consume, to be, brutish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and foolish,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיִכְסָ֑לוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yiḵ·sā·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3688.htm">Strong's 3688: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become stupid</span><br /><br /><span class="word">instructed</span><br /><span class="heb">מוּסַ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(mū·sar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4148.htm">Strong's 4148: </a> </span><span class="str2">Chastisement, reproof, warning, instruction, restraint</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by worthless idols</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲבָלִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(hă·ḇā·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1892.htm">Strong's 1892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory</span><br /><br /><span class="word">made of wood!</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֥ץ</span> <span class="translit">(‘êṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6086.htm">Strong's 6086: </a> </span><span class="str2">Tree, trees, wood</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/10-8.htm">Jeremiah 10:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/10-8.htm">Jeremiah 10:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/10-8.htm">Jeremiah 10:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/10-8.htm">Jeremiah 10:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/10-8.htm">Jeremiah 10:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/10-8.htm">Jeremiah 10:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/10-8.htm">Jeremiah 10:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/10-8.htm">Jeremiah 10:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/10-8.htm">Jeremiah 10:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/10-8.htm">Jeremiah 10:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/10-8.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 10:8 But they are together brutish and foolish: (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/10-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 10:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 10:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/10-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 10:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 10:9" /></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>