Jeremiah 10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 10

We may conjecture that the prophecy of this chapter was delivered after the first captivity, in the time of Jeconiah or Jehoiachin, when many were carried away to Babylon; for it has a double reference:?I. To those that were carried away into the land of the Chaldeans, a country notorious above any other for idolatry and superstition; and they are here cautioned against the infection of the place, not to learn the way of the heathen (Jer. 10:1, 2), for their astrology and idolatry are both... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 10:1-16

The prophet Isaiah, when he prophesied of the captivity in Babylon, added warnings against idolatry and largely exposed the sottishness of idolaters, not only because the temptations in Babylon would be in danger of drawing the Jews there to idolatry, but because the afflictions in Babylon were designed to cure them of their idolatry. Thus the prophet Jeremiah here arms people against the idolatrous usages and customs of the heathen, not only for the use of those that had gone to Babylon, but... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 10:17-25

In these verses, I. The prophet threatens, in God's name, the approaching ruin of Judah and Jerusalem, Jer. 10:17, 18. The Jews that continued in their own land, after some were carried into captivity, were very secure; they thought themselves inhabitants of a fortress; their country was their strong hold, and, in their own conceit, impregnable; but they are here told to think of leaving it: they must prepare to go after their brethren, and pack up their effects in expectation of it: ?Gather... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 10

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 10 This chapter shows that there is no comparison to be made between God and the idols of the Gentiles; represents the destruction of the Jews as near at hand; and is closed with some petitions of the prophet. It begins by way of preface with an exhortation to hear the word of the Lord, and a dehortation not to learn the way of the Heathens, or be dismayed at their signs, since their customs were in vain, Jeremiah 10:1 which lead on to expose their idols, and set... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 10:1

Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel. Or, "upon you"; or, "concerning you" F11 עליכם "super vos", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus; "de vobis", Vatablus; "super vobis", Cocceius. ; it may design the judgment of God decreed and pronounced upon them; or the prophecy of it to them, in which they were nearly concerned; or the word of God in general, sent unto them by his prophets, which they were backward of hearing; and seems to refer particularly to what... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 10:2

Thus saith the Lord, learn not the way of the Heathen ,.... Of the nations round about them, particularly the Chaldeans; meaning their religious ways, their ways of worship, their superstition and idolatry, which they were very prone unto, and many of which they had learned already; and were in danger of learning more, as they were about to be dispersed in divers countries, and especially in Chaldea, which was a very superstitious and idolatrous nation: and be not dismayed at the signs of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 10:3

For the customs of the people are vain ,.... Or, "their decrees", or "statutes" F15 חקות "decreta", Targ.; "statua", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius, Schmidt. , their determinations and conclusions, founded upon the observation of the stars; or, their "rites and ceremonies" F16 Ritus, Vatablus; "ceremoniae", Tigurine version. in religion, in the worship of the sun and moon, and the hosts of heaven. The Syriac version is, "the idols of the people are nothing"; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 10:4

They deck it with silver and with gold ,.... Cover it with plates of silver and gold, for the sake of ornament, that it may look grand, majestic, and venerable; and by this means draw the eye and attention, and so the devotion of people to it: they fasten it with nails and hammers, that it move not . The sense is, either that the idol was fastened to some post or pillar, or in some certain place on a pedestal, that it might not fall, it not being able otherwise to support itself; or the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 10:5

They are upright as the palm tree ,.... Being nailed to a post, or fastened to a pillar, or set upon a pedestal, and so stand erect without bending any way; and are like a palm tree, which is noted for its uprightness; hence the church's stature is compared to it, Song of Solomon 7:7 , here it is a sarcasm, and a bitter one: but speak not ; man, that is of an erect stature, in which he differs from other creatures, has the faculty of speech, which they that go upon four feet have not;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 10:6

Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord ,.... None like him, for the perfections of his nature, for the works of his hands, and for the instances of his kindness and beneficence, both in a way of grace and providence; there is none like him for doing good, or doing evil; that is, for bestowing favours, or inflicting punishments; there is none like him for goodness or greatness, as follows: thou art great ; in his nature; of great power, wisdom, faithfulness, truth, and... read more

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