Jeremiah 10:5

10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

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.

KJV

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They are like a palm tree, of turned work, and don’t speak: they must be carried, because they can’t move. Don’t be afraid of them; for they can’t do evil, neither is it in them to do good.”

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.

10:6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.

What does Jeremiah 10:5 mean?

Jeremiah 10:5 is a verse in the book of Jeremiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include מִקְשָׁה (miqshâh), תֹּמֶר (tômer), דָבַר (dâbar). It connects to 8 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

They

are

uprightמִקְשָׁהmiqshâh/mik-shaw'/H4749rounded work, i.e. moulded by hammering (repousse)

the

palm

tree,תֹּמֶרtômer/to'-mer/H8560a palm trunk

but

speakדָבַרdâbar/daw-bar'/H1696perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

not:

they

must

needsנָשָׂאnâsâʼ/naw-saw'/H5375to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

borne,נָשָׂאnâsâʼ/naw-saw'/H5375to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

because

they

cannot

go.צָעַדtsâʻad/tsaw-ad'/H6805to pace, i.e. step regularly; (upward) to mount; (along) to march; (down and causatively) to hurl

not

afraidיָרֵאyârêʼ/yaw-ray'/H3372to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten

them;

for

they

cannot

evil,רָעַעrâʻaʻ/raw-ah'/H7489properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good fornothing, i.e. bad (physically, socially or morally)

neither

also

them

good.יָטַבyâṭab/yaw-tab'/H3190to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

Commentary on Jeremiah 10:5

HENRY_FULL · Jeremiah 10:5

> Solomon, in this chapter, comes to recommend wisdom to us as the most powerful antidote against both the temptations and vexations that arise from the vanity of the world. Here is, I. The benefit and praise of wisdom, ver. 1 . II. Some particular instances of wisdom prescribed to us. 1. We must keep in due subjection to the government God has set over us, ver. 2-5 . 2. We must get ready for sudden evils, and especially for sudden death, ver. 6-8 . 3. We must arm ourselves against the temptation of an oppressive government and not think it strange, ver. 9, 10 . The impunity of oppressors makes them more daring ( ver. 11 ), but in the issue it will be well with the righteous and ill with the wicked ( ver. 12, 13 ), and therefore the present prosperity of the wicked and afflictions of the righteous ought not to be a stumbling-block to us, ver. 14 . 4. We must cheerfully use the gifts of God's providence, ver. 15 . 5. We must with an entire satisfaction acquiesce in the will of God, and, not pretending to find the bottom, we must humbly and silently adore the depth of his unsearchable counsels, being assured they are all wise, just, and good, ver. 16, 17 .

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

1 Kings 2:43

Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?

1 Chronicles 29:24

And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king. submitted: Heb. gave the hand under Solomon

Proverbs 24:21

My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: them: Heb. changers

Ezekiel 17:13

And hath taken of the king's seed, and made a covenant with him, and hath taken an oath of him: he hath also taken the mighty of the land: taken an: Heb. brought him to an oath

Romans 13:1

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God the powers that be are ordained of God. ordained: or, ordered

Romans 13:5

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

Titus 3:1

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

1 Peter 2:13

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

Topics

Idolatry Palm Tree, the

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Jeremiah 10:5.

Genesis 19:21

And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. thee: Heb. thy face

Genesis 20:8

Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.

Joshua 24:20

If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.

Leviticus 5:4

Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these.

Frequently asked questions

What does Jeremiah 10:5 say?

Jeremiah 10:5 (King James Version) reads: "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."

Is Jeremiah 10:5 in the Old or New Testament?

Jeremiah 10:5 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Jeremiah.

Reflect

As you read Jeremiah 10:5, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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