Jeremiah Ch 10:6-10
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site I will use the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Sefaria.org” (SEF), and 3. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC).
Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:
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*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job,
the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon,
Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and
Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and
Chronicles I & II.
Please Note: Some alterations have been made
relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ having been corrected as it once was, pre the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the
following three truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it,
that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (the LORD your Elo’lei’chem) which
I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
“This is My Name FOREVER, and this is My Memorial to ALL Generations”. Shemot -
Exodus 3:15. (JPS).
“I am יְהוָה, that is My Name; and My glory will I not give to another”. Yeshayahu - Isaiah 42:8. (JPS).
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Chapter 10:
6-10. (JPS-1917 version).
With
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Just before the
study, I would like to commence with one more important quote from the book of
Yahushua - Joshua Ch 1:7-8. (JPS-1917).
“Be
strong and courageous. Be careful to obey the entire Torah My servant Moshe has
given you; do not turn from it to the right or to
the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do
not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and
night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
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Introduction:
Yirmyahu - Jeremiah interrupts the chapter’s polemic against idols to exalt יְהוָה - the LORD. Verses 6–7 proclaim אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God’s) absolute uniqueness and rightful sovereignty over the nations. Verses 8–9 contrast the foolishness of idols, nothing more than crafted wood, metal, and cloth, with the living reality of the one true אֱלֹהִים. Verse 10 closes the section by reaffirming יְהוָה - the LORD’s life, “kingship”, and “fearful power”: when He is angry the earth trembles and the nations cannot endure his judgment.
Let us read - Chapter 10: 6-10. (JPS-1917 version):
6. There is none like unto Thee, O יְהוָה - LORD; Thou art great, and Thy Name
is great in might.
7. Who would not fear Thee, O king of the nations? For it befitteth Thee; forasmuch as among all the wise men of the
nations, and in all their royalty, there is none like unto Thee.
8. But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the vanities by which
they are instructed are but a stock;
9. Silver beaten into plates which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz,
the work of the craftsman and of the hands of the goldsmith; blue and purple is
their clothing; they are all the work of skilful men.
10. But יְהוָה
אֱלֹהִים
– the LORD Elohim is
the true אֱלֹהִים,
He is the living אֱלֹהִים,
and the everlasting King; at His wrath the earth trembleth,
and the nations are not able to abide His indignation.
Verse-by-verse notes and details:
Verse 6: “There is none like thee”.
An emphatic declaration of divine uniqueness: no comparable being in
greatness or powerful name. This phrase functions as the theological hinge that
separates Israel’s אֱלֹהִים from any idol.
Verse 7: “Who would not fear thee”.
יְהוָה
אֱלֹהִים is addressed as “King of the nations,” a title that
asserts universal rule (not merely Israel’s deity). The verse uses rhetorical
appeal: given אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s position, reverent fear is proper and owed
to him alone.
Verse 8: “They are altogether brutish and foolish”.
The prophet levels a moral-intellectual indictment at idols and those who
instruct in idolatry: they are senseless. The Hebrew imagery is blunt, idols
teach nothing of value; their “instruction” is worthless.
Verse 9: Material detail of idols’ manufacture:
Jeremiah describes the craftsmanship, silver from Tarshish,
gold from Uzzah, skilled hands, coloured garments, to
show that idols’ apparent splendour is the result of human artifice, not divine
power Enduring Word. The listing of exotic materials and skilled
labour heightens the contrast: impressive appearance, impotent reality.
Verse 10: “יְהוָה is the true אֱלֹהִים - Elohim”.
The theological climax: יְהוָה - the LORD is living and eternal; his kingship has
real, cosmic effects. The imagery of earth trembling and nations being unable
to stand before his wrath underscores יְהוָה - the LORD’s sovereign authority
and the seriousness of Divine judgment.
Theological and literary observations:
Polemic
structure: The passage pairs satirical description of idols
(silent, made by hands) with exaltation of יְהוָה (living, sovereign), a common prophetic technique to
discredit foreign religious practices and re-center trust in אֱלֹהִים.
Universal
scope: Calling אֱלֹהִים “King of the nations” widens the horizon,
Jeremiah insists יְהוָה is not a parochial tribal deity but יְהוָה - the Lord of all peoples.
Rhetorical contrast: Jeremiah uses
concrete detail (materials, skilled craftsmen) to show that religious prestige
can be manufactured; in contrast, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s power is intrinsic and authoritative.
Fear and
worship: “Fear” in these verses mixes reverent awe and moral
obligation; proper fear of אֱלֹהִים displaces the superstitious fear that drives people
to idols and astrology.
Discernment
about appearances: The text warns communities against mistaking craft and
ceremony for genuine Divine presence.
Re-cantering trust: In times of national or personal anxiety,
Jeremiah’s move is to reassert אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s living kingship rather than to imitate
surrounding cultures.
Healthy awe: Leaders and teachers can draw from verse 7 to teach that
fear of אֱלֹהִים is foundational for wisdom and covenantal loyalty.
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In Conclusion, a Question to
Deepen the Conversation:
Which part of the Tanakh study, or possibly a particular line or
statement within it has touched you the most? And how do you feel about
spending more time studying our beloved Tanakh? I pray that you are doing well
as a faithful Hebrew, and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim willing you are upholding as many of our
blessed Mitzvoth’s?
Dear reader, please remember this, pray for peace and
solitude in your life, and then work on keeping as calm as possible and learn
to improve your life, for אֱלֹהִים - בָּרוּךְ
אֱלֹהִים - Bless Elohim, He is
always there and ready to help and guide you!
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This site was
originally for those who needed to return to our blessed and wonderful faith,
thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or of possible three
times a day and always seek אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance!
But as you may have discovered it has become very much a teaching site!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following, via a
number of our prophets...
“Return unto Me,
and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. MEC).
And Remember ...
Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat
Shalom!
אֲנִי יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה (the LORD your Elo’hei’chem);
walk in My statutes, and keep Mine
ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign
between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה -
YaHVaH your Elo’hei’chem”.
Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).
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“The More Torah, the More Life”.
For our Elohim is the One who gave us ... our Life!
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and
please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the ‘מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your
daily תְּפִלָּה - Te’fee’lah’s (Prayers) and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and
drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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