Jeremiah 10:14 - Every man has become brutish and without knowledge. Every goldsmith is disappointed by his engraved image; for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
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What does "Jeremiah 10:14" mean?
Jeremiah 10:14 is part of a broader critique of idolatry found in Jeremiah 10:1-16. To understand the verse, we need to consider its context.
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its meaning:
"Every man has become brutish and without knowledge." This doesn't mean every single individual. It's a general statement about the nation or people of Israel. They have become foolish and lacking in understanding, specifically in their embrace of idolatry. "Brutish" implies a lack of reason and discernment, acting more like unthinking animals than intelligent humans who should know better. Their wisdom and understanding have been compromised by their worshipping of idols.
"Every goldsmith is disappointed by his engraved image..." This shifts focus to the makers of idols. The goldsmith, or artisan, is ultimately disillusioned with the idol he crafts. He puts his skill and labor into creating it, but in the end, it's just a lifeless object, incapable of doing anything for him or answering his prayers. The word "disappointed" can also be translated as "put to shame" or "humiliated."
"...for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them." This explains why the goldsmith is disappointed. The idol is a "falsehood" - it's a lie, a deception. It claims to represent a god, but it's just a piece of metal. Critically, it "has no breath" or spirit. It's lifeless and powerless. It can't help, protect, or provide. This contrasts sharply with the living God who created the heavens and the earth, and who does breathe life into all things.
In essence, the verse is saying:
The people of Israel have become foolish and lost their understanding by turning to idols. Even the artisans who make the idols are eventually disillusioned, realizing that these crafted images are nothing but lifeless, powerless falsehoods. The verse highlights the absurdity of worshipping something created by human hands rather than the living God.
The purpose of this verse within the broader passage (Jeremiah 10:1-16) is to:
Warn against idolatry: It's a strong condemnation of turning away from the true God to worship false gods.
Expose the futility of idols: It emphasizes the lifelessness and powerlessness of idols compared to the living God.
Call for repentance: It implies a need for the people to recognize their folly and return to worshipping the one true God.
Contrast with the true God: The passage juxtaposes the idols with the description of God as the true creator and the one who controls the natural world, emphasizing His power and sovereignty.
This verse and the surrounding passage serve as a powerful reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the importance of worshipping the one true God.
Jeremiah 10:14 - Every man has become brutish and without knowledge. Every goldsmith is disappointed by his engraved image; for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
What does "Jeremiah 10:14" mean?
Jeremiah 10:14 is part of a broader critique of idolatry found in Jeremiah 10:1-16. To understand the verse, we need to consider its context.
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its meaning:
"Every man has become brutish and without knowledge." This doesn't mean every single individual. It's a general statement about the nation or people of Israel. They have become foolish and lacking in understanding, specifically in their embrace of idolatry. "Brutish" implies a lack of reason and discernment, acting more like unthinking animals than intelligent humans who should know better. Their wisdom and understanding have been compromised by their worshipping of idols.
"Every goldsmith is disappointed by his engraved image..." This shifts focus to the makers of idols. The goldsmith, or artisan, is ultimately disillusioned with the idol he crafts. He puts his skill and labor into creating it, but in the end, it's just a lifeless object, incapable of doing anything for him or answering his prayers. The word "disappointed" can also be translated as "put to shame" or "humiliated."
"...for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them." This explains why the goldsmith is disappointed. The idol is a "falsehood" - it's a lie, a deception. It claims to represent a god, but it's just a piece of metal. Critically, it "has no breath" or spirit. It's lifeless and powerless. It can't help, protect, or provide. This contrasts sharply with the living God who created the heavens and the earth, and who does breathe life into all things.
In essence, the verse is saying:
The people of Israel have become foolish and lost their understanding by turning to idols. Even the artisans who make the idols are eventually disillusioned, realizing that these crafted images are nothing but lifeless, powerless falsehoods. The verse highlights the absurdity of worshipping something created by human hands rather than the living God.
The purpose of this verse within the broader passage (Jeremiah 10:1-16) is to:
Warn against idolatry: It's a strong condemnation of turning away from the true God to worship false gods.
Expose the futility of idols: It emphasizes the lifelessness and powerlessness of idols compared to the living God.
Call for repentance: It implies a need for the people to recognize their folly and return to worshipping the one true God.
Contrast with the true God: The passage juxtaposes the idols with the description of God as the true creator and the one who controls the natural world, emphasizing His power and sovereignty.
This verse and the surrounding passage serve as a powerful reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the importance of worshipping the one true God.