CINXE.COM

<!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 18:6 "O house of Israel, declares the LORD, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Just like clay in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/18-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/24_Jer_18_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 18:6 - The Potter and the Clay" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="O house of Israel, declares the LORD, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Just like clay in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel." /><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/18-6.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/18-6.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/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 6</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="/ad6.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/18-5.htm" title="Jeremiah 18:5">◄</a> Jeremiah 18:6 <a href="/jeremiah/18-7.htm" title="Jeremiah 18:7">►</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">Verse<a href="/bsb/jeremiah/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/18.htm">New International Version</a> He said, &#8220Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?&#8221 declares the LORD. &#8220Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/18.htm">New Living Translation</a> “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. <a href="/esv/jeremiah/18.htm">English Standard Version</a> “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. <a href="/bsb/jeremiah/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “O house of Israel, declares the LORD, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/18.htm">King James Bible</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="/nkjv/jeremiah/18.htm">New King James Version</a> “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the LORD. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel! <a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Am I not able, house of Israel, to deal with you as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, house of Israel. <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?&#8221 declares the LORD. &#8220Behold, like the clay in the potter&#8217s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. <a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. <a href="/lsb/jeremiah/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?” declares Yahweh. “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. <a href="/amp/jeremiah/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?” says the LORD. “Look carefully, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. <a href="/csb/jeremiah/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “House of Israel, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? ”—this is the LORD’s declaration. “Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, house of Israel. <a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220House of Israel, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay?"—this is the LORD&#8217s declaration. &#8220Just like clay in the potter&#8217s hand, so are you in My hand, house of Israel. <a href="/asv/jeremiah/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith Jehovah. Behold, as the clay in the potter's hand, so are ye in my hand, O house of Israel. <a href="/cev/jeremiah/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> People of Israel, I, the LORD, have power over you, just as a potter has power over clay. <a href="/erv/jeremiah/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. <a href="/gwt/jeremiah/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Nation of Israel, can't I do with you as this potter does with clay? Nation of Israel, you are like the clay in the potter's hands. <a href="/gnt/jeremiah/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> "Don't I have the right to do with you people of Israel what the potter did with the clay? You are in my hands just like clay in the potter's hands. <a href="/isv/jeremiah/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Israel, can't I deal with you like this potter?" declares the LORD. "Look, Israel, like clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand. <a href="/msb/jeremiah/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?O house of Israel, declares the LORD, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Just like clay in the potter?s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. <a href="/net/jeremiah/18.htm">NET Bible</a> "I, the LORD, say: 'O nation of Israel, can I not deal with you as this potter deals with the clay? In my hands, you, O nation of Israel, are just like the clay in this potter's hand.' <a href="/nheb/jeremiah/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "'House of Israel, can't I do with you as this potter?' says the LORD. 'Look, as the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, house of Israel.' <a href="/wbt/jeremiah/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</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 my hand, O house of Israel. <a href="/web/jeremiah/18.htm">World English Bible</a> “House of Israel, can’t I do with you as this potter?” says Yahweh. “Behold, as the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, house of Israel. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> “O house of Israel, am I not able to do to you as this potter?” A declaration of YHWH. “Behold, as clay in the hand of the potter, "" So [are] you in My hand, O house of Israel. <a href="/ylt/jeremiah/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> As this potter am I not able to do to you? O house of Israel, an affirmation of Jehovah. Lo, as clay in the hand of the potter, So are ye in My hand, O house of Israel. <a href="/slt/jeremiah/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> As this potter shall I not be able to do to you, O house of Israel? says Jehovah. Behold, as the clay in the hand of the potter, thus are ye in my hand, O house of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/jeremiah/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Cannot I do with you as this potter, saith the Lord? behold as clay is in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. <a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> “Am I not able to do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done, says the Lord? Behold, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. <a href="/nabre/jeremiah/18.htm">New American Bible</a> Can I not do to you, house of Israel, as this potter has done?—oracle of the LORD. Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, house of Israel. <a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the LORD. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? says the LORD, Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. <a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Can I not do with you, house of Israel, as this Potter, says LORD JEHOVAH? Behold, like clay in the hands of a potter, so are you in my hands, house of Israel<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/jeremiah/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay in the potter's hand, so are ye in My hand, O house of Israel. <a href="/sep/jeremiah/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Shall I not be able, O house of Israel, to do to you as this potter? behold, as the clay of the potter are ye in my hands. <a href="/parallel/jeremiah/18-6.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=5352" 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> …5Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 6<a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">“O house</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5002.htm" title="5002: nə·’um- (N-msc) -- Utterance. From na'am; an oracle.">declares</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3201.htm" title="3201: ’ū·ḵal (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To be able, have power. Or yakowl; a primitive root; to be able, literally or morally.">can</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">I not</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.">treat</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">as this</a> <a href="/hebrew/3335.htm" title="3335: hă·ḵay·yō·w·ṣêr (Prep-k, 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).">potter treats his clay?</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">Just</a> <a href="/hebrew/2563.htm" title="2563: ḵa·ḥō·mer (Prep-k, 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.">like clay</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 the potter’s</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/3651.htm" title="3651: kên- (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so.">so</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tem (Pro-2mp) -- You (masc. sing.). ">are you</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yā·ḏî (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">in My hand,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">O house</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel.</a> 7At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed.…<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="/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="/job/10-9.htm">Job 10:9</a> Please remember that You molded me like clay. Would You now return me to dust? <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="/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="/psalms/103-14.htm">Psalm 103:14</a> For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-11.htm">1 Corinthians 10:11</a> Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. <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="/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="/job/33-6.htm">Job 33:6</a> I am just like you before God; I was also formed from clay. <a href="/1_peter/5-6.htm">1 Peter 5:6</a> Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. <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="/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="/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.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.<a href="/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Jeremiah 18:4</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="/isaiah/64-8.htm">Isaiah 64:8</a> But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.<a href="/daniel/4-23.htm">Daniel 4:23</a> And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Able</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-16.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Clay</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-7.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-24.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-3.htm">House</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-13.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Potter</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Potter's</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/20-9.htm">Able</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-6.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-1.htm">Clay</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-23.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-6.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-1.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-7.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-7.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-14.htm">House</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-13.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-1.htm">Potter</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-1.htm">Potter's</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>O house of Israel, declares the LORD, This phrase addresses the nation of Israel, emphasizing God's covenant relationship with them. The term "house of Israel" is often used in the Old Testament to refer to the collective people of Israel, highlighting their identity as God's chosen people. This declaration by the LORD underscores His authority and the seriousness of the message. The prophetic context is significant, as Jeremiah is speaking during a time of impending judgment due to Israel's disobedience. The phrase also connects to other instances where God addresses Israel directly, such as in <a href="/isaiah/1-18.htm">Isaiah 1:18</a> and <a href="/ezekiel/18-30.htm">Ezekiel 18:30-32</a>, calling them to repentance.can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Here, God uses the metaphor of a potter and clay to illustrate His sovereignty over Israel. The imagery of the potter is rich in biblical symbolism, representing God's creative power and authority to shape and reshape nations and individuals according to His will. This metaphor is also found in <a href="/isaiah/64-8.htm">Isaiah 64:8</a>, where God is acknowledged as the potter and the people as clay. The rhetorical question emphasizes God's right to deal with Israel as He sees fit, whether to bless or to discipline, based on their response to His covenant.Just like clay in the potter’s hand, This phrase highlights the malleability and dependence of the clay on the potter's skill and intention. In the ancient Near Eastern context, pottery was a common craft, and the process of shaping clay was well understood by Jeremiah's audience. The clay's lack of control over its form serves as a powerful reminder of human dependence on God. This imagery is echoed in <a href="/romans/9-21.htm">Romans 9:21</a>, where Paul discusses God's sovereign choice and mercy, reinforcing the theme of divine authority and human submission.so are you in My hand, God asserts His control and authority over Israel, likening them to clay in His hands. This statement reassures that, despite their current state, they are still under His care and subject to His purposes. The phrase implies both comfort and warning: comfort in God's ongoing involvement and warning in His ability to reshape or discipline. The concept of being in God's hand is a recurring biblical theme, seen in passages like <a href="/john/10-28.htm">John 10:28-29</a>, where believers are assured of their security in God's grasp.O house of Israel. The repetition of "O house of Israel" serves to reinforce the message's focus and urgency. It calls the people to attention, reminding them of their identity and responsibility as God's covenant community. This repetition also emphasizes the personal and collective nature of the message, urging Israel to consider their relationship with God and their need for repentance. The historical context of Jeremiah's ministry, during a time of national crisis and impending exile, adds weight to this call for reflection and response.<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 and Jerusalem. He is known for his prophecies of judgment and restoration. 2. <a href="/topical/h/house_of_israel.htm">House of Israel</a> Refers to the people of Israel, God's chosen nation, who are being addressed by God through the prophet Jeremiah. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_potter.htm">The Potter</a> Represents God, who has sovereign control over His creation, shaping and molding it according to His will. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_clay.htm">The Clay</a> Symbolizes the people of Israel, who are subject to God's shaping and molding, reflecting their need for submission to His will. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_potter's_house.htm">The Potter's House</a> The location where God instructs Jeremiah to go to receive a visual lesson about His sovereignty and the relationship between God and His people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> Recognize that God has ultimate authority over our lives, just as a potter has over the clay. We are called to trust in His perfect plan and purpose. <a href="/topical/s/submission_to_god's_will.htm">Submission to God's Will</a> Like clay in the potter's hands, we must be pliable and willing to be shaped by God. This requires humility and a willingness to let go of our own plans. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a> The context of <a href="/bsb/jeremiah/18.htm">Jeremiah 18</a> emphasizes the possibility of repentance and restoration. God is willing to reshape us if we turn back to Him. <a href="/topical/p/purpose_and_usefulness.htm">Purpose and Usefulness</a> Understand that God shapes us for specific purposes. Our role is to be ready and available for His use, aligning our lives with His will. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a> As part of the "house of Israel," we are reminded of our collective identity and responsibility. We should encourage one another to remain faithful and obedient to God.<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/how_does_isaiah_64_8_align_with_evolution.htm">Isaiah 64:8 depicts God as the potter shaping humanity; how does this metaphor align with modern theories of human evolution and origin? </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/how_does_jer._18_align_with_predestined_judgment.htm">How does Jeremiah 18 align with other passages that depict God’s judgment as predetermined, creating a seeming contradiction about free will?</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>(6) Cannot I do with you as this potter?--The question implies a theory of the universe, which is neither (as some have thought) one of absolute fatalism, crushing man's freedom, nor, on the other hand, one which merges God's sovereignty in man's power of choice. The clay can resist the potter, or can yield itself willingly to his hands to be shaped as he wills. Its being "marred" is through no fault of the potter, but--in the framework of the parable--through the defect of the material, and, in its application, through the resistance of the human agents whom God is fashioning. And when it is so marred one of two courses is open to the potter. He can again re-mould and fashion it to his purpose, to a new work which may be less honourable than that for which it was originally designed; or, if it be hopelessly marred, can break it and cast it away, and with fresh clay mould a fresh vessel. The history of nations and churches and individual men offers many examples of both processes. They frustrate God's gracious purpose by their self-will, but His long-suffering leads them to repentance, and gives them, to speak after the manner of men, yet another chance of being moulded by His hands. Here the prophet invites the people, as the clay, to accept the former alternative. St. Paul, taking the same analogy, looks forward to the time when the marred vessel of Israel shall be restored to the Master's house and be honoured in His service (<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>; <a href="/romans/11-26.htm" title="And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:">Romans 11:26</a>). The closing verses of Browning's poem, "Rabbi Ben-Ezra," in Men and Women, may be referred to as embodying the same thought :--"But I need Thee, as then,Thee, God, who mouldest men;And since, not even while the whirl was worst,Did I--to the wheel of life,With shapes and colours rife,Bound dizzily--mistake my end, to slake Thy thirst,"So take and use Thy work! . . . <a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“O house בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house of Israel, יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc can אוּכַ֨ל (’ū·ḵal) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3201.htm">Strong's 3201: </a> To be able, have power I not לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no treat לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make you לָכֶ֛ם (lā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> as this הַזֶּ֜ה (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that potter treats his clay? הֲכַיּוֹצֵ֨ר (hă·ḵay·yō·w·ṣêr) Preposition-k, 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 declares נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5002.htm">Strong's 5002: </a> An oracle the LORD. יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel Just like clay כַחֹ֙מֶר֙ (ḵa·ḥō·mer) Preposition-k, 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 in the potter’s הַיּוֹצֵ֔ר (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 כֵּן־ (kên-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3651.htm">Strong's 3651: </a> So -- thus are you אַתֶּ֥ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you in My hand, בְּיָדִ֖י (bə·yā·ḏî) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand O house בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house of Israel. יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 18:6 House of Israel can't I do (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/18-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 18:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 18:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/18-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 18:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 18:7" /></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>