The Vanity of Idols

Jeremiah 10

Jeremiah contrasts the lifeless idols of the nations, mere wood overlaid with silver and gold that must be carried because they cannot walk, with the Lord who made the earth by his power and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. He laments the coming ruin of the land from the north and prays that the Lord would correct his people with justice rather than in wrath.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonHEAR the word of the Lord which He hath spoken for you, O house of Israel.

BrentonHear ye the word of the Lord, which he has spoken to you, O house of Israel.

GreekἈκούσατε τὸν λόγον Κυρίου, ὃν ἐλάλησεν ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς, οἶκος Ἰσραήλ.

KJVHear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

JPSHear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel;

ThomsonThus saith the Lord: Learn not the ways of the nations, and at the signs of heaven be not dismayed, because they are terrified at these appearances,

BrentonThus saith the Lord, Learn ye not the ways of the heathen, and be not alarmed at the signs of the sky; for they are alarmed at them, falling on their faces.

GreekΤάδε λέγει Κύριος, κατὰ τὰς ὁδοὺς τῶν ἐθνῶν μὴ μανθάνετε, καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν σημείων τοῦ οὐρανοῦ μὴ φοβεῖσθε, ὅτι φοβοῦνται αὐτὰ τοῖς προσώποις αὐτῶν.

KJVThus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

JPSthus saith the LORD: Learn not the way of the nations, And be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; For the nations are dismayed at them.

Thomsonbecause the ordinances of the nations are vain. Timber is cut from the forest:

BrentonFor the customs of the nations are vain; it is a tree cut out of the forest, the work of the carpenter, or a molten image.

GreekὍτι τὰ νόμιμα τῶν ἐθνῶν μάταια· ξύλον ἐστὶν ἐκ τοῦ δρυμοῦ ἐκκεκομμένον, ἔργον τέκτονος, καὶ χώνευμα,

KJVFor the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

JPSFor the customs of the peoples are vanity; For it is but a tree which one cutteth out of the forest, The work of the hands of the workman with the axe.

Thomsona carpenter’s work and a molten image are adorned with silver and gold. Having fastened them with mallets and nails they will place them and they are not to be moved.

BrentonThey are beautified with silver and gold, they fix them with hammers and nails;

Greekἀργυρίῳ καὶ χρυσίῳ κεκαλλωπισμένα, ἐν σφύραις καὶ ἥλοις ἐστερέωσαν αὐτά·

KJVThey deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

JPSThey deck it with silver and with gold, They fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

ThomsonThey are silver which can be turned in a lathe; they cannot walk.

Brentonthey will set them up that they may not move; it is wrought silver, they will not walk,

GreekΘήσουσιν αὐτὰ, καὶ οὐ κινηθήσονται· ἀργύριον τορευτόν ἐστιν, οὐ πορεύσονται,

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonThey are silver which can be formed into plates. From Tharsis will come the gold of Mophaz, and the hand of men skilled in casting gold. They are all the workmanship of artists. With blue and purple raiment they are to be clothed: they must be taken up and carried, for they cannot walk. Fear them not, for they can do you no harm; and there is no good in them.

Brentonit is forged silver brought from Tharsis, gold will come from Mophaz, and the work of goldsmiths: they are all the works of craftsmen, they will clothe themselves with blue and scarlet.

Greekἀργύριον προσβλητόν ἐστιν. Ἀπὸ Θαρσεὶς ἥξει χρυσίον Μωφὰζ, καὶ χεὶρ χρυσοχόων, ἔργα τεχνιτῶν πάντα, ὑάκινθον καὶ πορφύραν ἐνδύσουσιν αὐτά.

KJVSilver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.

JPSSilver 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.

Thomson—

BrentonThey must certainly be borne, for they cannot ride of themselves. Fear them not; for they cannot do any evil, and there is no good in them.

GreekΑἰρόμενα ἀρθήσονται, ὅτι οὐκ ἐπιβήσονται· μὴ φοβηθῆτε αὐτὰ, ὅτι οὐ μὴ κακοποιήσωσι, καὶ ἀγαθὸν οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν αὐτοῖς.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonThus shall you say to them: Let the gods which have not made heaven and earth perish from the earth and from under heaven.

BrentonThus shall ye say to them, Let the gods which have not made heaven and earth perish from off the earth, and from under this sky.

GreekΟὕτως ἐρεῖτε αὐτοῖς, θεοὶ οἳ τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν οὐκ ἐποίησαν, ἀπολέσθωσαν ἐκ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ὑποκάτωθεν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ τούτου.

KJVThus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.

JPSThus shall ye say unto them: ‘The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, these shall perish from the earth, and from under the heavens.’

ThomsonIt is the Lord who made the earth by His power, who established the world by His wisdom: and by His understanding spread out the heaven,

BrentonIt is the Lord that made the earth by his strength, who set up the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the sky,

GreekΚύριος ὁ ποιήσας τὴν γῆν ἐν τῇ ἰσχύϊ αὐτοῦ, ὁ ἀνορθώσας τὴν οἰκουμένην ἐν τῇ σοφίᾳ αὐτοῦ, καὶ τῇ φρονήσει αὐτοῦ ἐξέτεινε τὸν οὐρανὸν,

KJVHe hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

JPSHe that hath made the earth by His power, That hath established the world by His wisdom, And hath stretched out the heavens by His understanding;

Thomsonand the multitude of waters in heaven: when He brought up clouds from the extremity of the earth; He made the lightning for rain, and brought light forth from His treasuries.

Brentonand set abundance of waters in the sky, and brought up clouds from the ends of the earth; he made lightnings for the rain, and brought forth light out of his treasures.

Greekκαὶ πλῆθος ὕδατος ἐν οὐρανῷ· καὶ ἀνήγαγε νεφέλας ἐξ ἐσχάτου τῆς γῆς, ἀστραπὰς εἰς ὑετὸν ἐποίησε, καὶ ἐξήγαγε φῶς ἐκ θησαυρῶν αὐτοῦ.

KJVWhen he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

JPSAt the sound of His giving a multitude of waters in the heavens, When He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; When He maketh lightnings with the rain, And bringeth forth the wind out of His treasuries;

ThomsonEvery man on account of knowledge became foolish. Every melter of gold was put to shame for his graven images, because he cast falsities and there is no breath in them.

BrentonEvery man is deprived of knowledge, every goldsmith is confounded because of his graven images; for he has cast false gods, there is no breath in them.

GreekἘμωράνθη πᾶς ἄνθρωπος ἀπὸ γνώσεως, κατῃσχύνθη πᾶς χρυσοχόος ἐπὶ τοῖς γλυπτοῖς αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ψευδῆ ἐχώνευσεν, οὐκ ἔστι πνεῦμα ἐν αὐτοῖς.

KJVEvery man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.

JPSEvery man is proved to be brutish, without knowledge, Every goldsmith is put to shame by the graven image, His molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.

ThomsonThese ridiculous works are vain; in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

BrentonThey are vain works, wrought in mockery; in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

GreekΜάταιά ἐστιν ἔργα ἐμπεπαιγμένα, ἐν καιρῷ ἐπισκοπῆς αὐτῶν ἀπολοῦνται.

KJVThey are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

JPSThey are vanity, a work of delusion; In the time of their visitation they shall perish.

ThomsonUnlike to these is the portion of Jacob: for He who formed all things is his inheritance. His name is, The Lord.

BrentonSuch is not the portion of Jacob; for he that formed all things, he is his inheritance; the Lord is his name.

GreekΟὐκ ἔστι τοιαύτη μερὶς τῷ Ἰακὼβ, ὅτι ὁ πλάσας τὰ πάντα, αὐτὸς κληρονομία αὐτοῦ, Κύριος ὄνομα αὐτῷ.

KJVThe portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name.

JPSNot like these is the portion of Jacob; For He is the former of all things, And Israel is the tribe of His inheritance; The LORD of hosts is His name.

Thomson—

BrentonHe has gathered thy substance from without that lodged in choice vessels.

GreekΣυνήγαγεν ἔξωθεν τὴν ὑπόστασίν σου, κατοικοῦσαν ἐν ἐκλεκτοῖς.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonFor thus saith the Lord, Behold I am about to subvert with affliction the inhabitants of this land, that the stroke may reach thee.

BrentonFor thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will overthrow the inhabitants of this land with affliction, that thy plague may be discovered.

GreekὍτι τάδε λέγει Κύριος, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ σκελίζω τοὺς κατοικοῦντας τὴν γῆν ταύτην ἐν θλίψει, ὅπως εὑρεθῇ ἡ πληγή σου.

KJVFor thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once, and will distress them, that they may find it so.

JPSFor thus saith the LORD: Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this time, and will distress them, that they may feel it.

ThomsonAlas for thine affliction! the stroke given thee is painful. (p) Upon this I said, This is a wounding of thee indeed! it hath sunk deep in thee!

BrentonAlas for thy ruin! thy plague is grievous: and I said, Surely this is thy wound, and it has overtaken thee.

GreekΟὐαὶ ἐπὶ συντρίμματί σου, ἀλγηρὰ ἡ πληγή σου· κᾀγὼ εἶπα, ὄντως τοῦτο τὸ τραῦμά σου, καὶ κατέλαβέ σε.

KJVWoe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.

JPSWoe is me for my hurt! My wound is grievous; But I said: ‘This is but a sickness, And I must bear it.’

Thomsonthy tent is in a miserable state. It is ruined. And all thy curtains are torn to pieces. (c) My children and my flocks are no more. There is not a trace of my tent left—no remains of my curtains.

BrentonThy tabernacle is in a ruinous state, it has perished; and all thy curtains have been torn asunder: my children and my cattle are no more: there is no more any place for my tabernacle, nor place for my curtains.

GreekἩ σκηνή σου ἐταλαιπώρησεν, ὤλετο· καὶ πᾶσαι αἱ δέῤῥεις σου διεσπάσθησαν· οἱ υἱοί μου καὶ τὰ πρόβατά μου οὐκ εἰσὶν, οὐκ ἔστιν ἔτι τόπος τῆς σκηνῆς μου, τόπος τῶν δέῤῥεών μου.

KJVMy tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.

JPSMy tent is spoiled, And all my cords are broken; My children are gone forth of me, and they are not; There is none to stretch forth my tent any more, And to set up my curtains.

Thomson(J) Because the shepherds were foolish and sought not the Lord, therefore the whole flock was thoughtless, and they are scattered.

BrentonFor the shepherds have become foolish, and have not sought the Lord; therefore the whole pasture has failed, and the sheep have been scattered.

GreekὍτι οἱ ποιμένες ἠφρονεύσαντο, καὶ τὸν Κύριον οὐκ ἐζήτησαν· διατοῦτο οὐκ ἐνόησε πᾶσα ἡ νομὴ, καὶ διεσκορπίσθησαν,

KJVFor the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.

JPSFor the shepherds are become brutish, And have not inquired of the LORD; Therefore they have not prospered, And all their flocks are scattered.

ThomsonA noisy sound! Hark! it is coming; and a great disturbance from the land to the north, to make the cities of Juda a desolation and a haunt of ostriches.

BrentonBehold, there comes a sound of a noise, and a great earthquake from the land of the north, to make the cities of Juda a desolation, and a resting-place for ostriches.

Greekφωνὴ ἀκοῆς ἰδοὺ ἔρχεται καὶ σειαμὸς μέγας ἐκ γῆς Βοῤῥᾶ, τοῦ τάξαι τὰς πόλεις Ἰούδα εἰς ἀφανισμὸν, καὶ κοίτην στρουθῶν.

KJVBehold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.

JPSHark! a report, behold, it cometh, And a great commotion out of the north country, To make the cities of Judah desolate, A dwelling-place of jackals.

Thomson(p) I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, nor can a man who travelleth ensure to himself a prosperous journey.

BrentonI know, O Lord, that man's way is not his own; neither shall a man go, and direct his going.

GreekΟἶδα, Κύριε, ὅτι οὐχὶ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἡ ὁδὸς αὐτοῦ, οὐδὲ ἀνὴρ πορεύσεται καὶ κατορθώσει πορείαν αὐτοῦ.

KJVO LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

JPSO LORD, I know that man’s way is not his own; It is not in man to direct his steps as he walketh. .

ThomsonCorrect us, O Lord, but with judgment and not with wrath, that Thou mayst not make us few in number.

BrentonChasten us, O Lord, but with judgment; and not in wrath, lest thou make us few.

GreekΠαίδευσον ἡμᾶς Κύριε, πλὴν ἐν κρίσει καὶ μὴ ἐν θυμῷ, ἵνα μὴ ὀλίγους ἡμᾶς ποιήσῃς.

KJVO LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.

JPS—

ThomsonPour out Thy wrath on the nations that knew Thee not, and on the families which have not invoked Thy name. Because they have devoured Jacob and consumed him, and have made his pasture a desolation.

BrentonPour out thy wrath upon the nations that have not known thee, and upon the families that have not called upon thy name: for they have devoured Jacob, and consumed him, and have made his pasture desolate.

GreekἜκχεον τὸν θυμόν σου ἐπὶ ἔθνη τὰ μὴ εἰδότα σε, καὶ ἐπὶ γενεὰς αἳ τὸ ὄνομά σου οὐκ ἐπεκαλέσαντο, ὅτι κατέφαγον τὸν Ἰακὼβ καὶ ἐξανήλωσαν αὐτὸν, καὶ τὴν νομὴν αὐτοῦ ἠρήμωσαν.

KJVPour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.

JPSPour out Thy wrath upon the nations that know Thee not, And upon the families that call not on Thy name; For they have devoured Jacob, Yea, they have devoured him and consumed him, And have laid waste his habitation.