Jeremiah 10:5

Translations

Modern

Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”

Traditional

They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

Literal

They are like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, and they do not speak; They must be carried, because they can not step. You should not be afraid of them, for they can do no harm, and also to do good is not in them.”

Latin

…in similitudinem palmæ fabricata sunt, et non loquentur: portata tollentur, quia incedere non valent. Nolite ergo timere ea, quia nec male possunt facere, nec bene.

Original

Hebrew

English

Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”

Notes

Jeremiah 10:5

Scarecrows in a garden only scare birds that do not know better. Similarly, idols are feared only by people who do not know better.

Jeremiah 10:1–16

This poetic passage criticizes idol worship and affirms the unity and majesty of the one true God. It is not a logical discussion of divinity in nature or a detailed statement about God's attributes. Instead, it is a poem about the foolishness of worshiping idols that the worshipers have made. It includes strong affirmations of faith that clearly declare who God is.

Jeremiah 10:1–25

This poetic passage has three parts:

A contrast between the Lord and pagan idols (Jeremiah 10:1–16)
A reflection on the destruction awaiting idol worshipers (Jeremiah 10:17–18, 19–22)
A prayer asking God to act with restraint in the coming judgment and to ensure the pagan nations do not go unpunished (Jeremiah 10:23–25).

Theme notes and profiles

Jeremiah Fearing People God’s Uniqueness

Events

Prophecies of Jeremiahc. 628 BC

Related verses

Isaiah 46:7
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.
1 Corinthians 12:2
You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.
Isaiah 41:23–24
Tell us the things that are to come, so that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do something good or evil, that we may look on together in dismay.
Psalm 115:5–8
They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;
Psalm 135:16–18
They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;
1 Corinthians 8:4
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.
Revelation 13:14–15
Because of the signs it was given to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image to the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet had lived.
Habakkuk 2:19
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.”
Isaiah 46:1
Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal.
Isaiah 44:9–10
All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame.
Isaiah 45:20
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.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (Old Testament) Body Book of Jeremiah Jeremiah (Person)

Topics

Idolatry: Folly of Idolatry: Objects of Described as Helpless The Palm-Tree: The Upright Appearance of Idols The Palm-Tree: Upright

Jeremiah 10:5

Translations?

Original?

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Related verses?

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Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics