Jeremiah 10:11
Thus 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.
Original Language Analysis
דִּֽי
H1768
דִּֽי
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
5 of 15
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
שְׁמַיָּ֖א
heavens
H8065
שְׁמַיָּ֖א
heavens
Strong's:
H8065
Word #:
6 of 15
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
מֵֽאַרְעָ֛א
from the earth
H772
מֵֽאַרְעָ֛א
from the earth
Strong's:
H772
Word #:
11 of 15
the earth; by implication (figuratively) low
וּמִן
H4481
Cross References
Psalms 96:5For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.Isaiah 2:18And the idols he shall utterly abolish.Jeremiah 51:18They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.Jeremiah 10:15They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.Zechariah 13:2And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.Lamentations 3:66Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the LORD.Zephaniah 2:11The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.Revelation 20:2And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Historical Context
This verse's Aramaic language is unique in Jeremiah (though common in Daniel and Ezra). Aramaic was the diplomatic and commercial lingua franca of the Neo-Babylonian and Persian empires. The verse may have been a confessional formula Jews could recite when confronted with pagan worship. Its message is clear in any language: non-creator gods face destruction.
Questions for Reflection
- Why might this verse's message be given in Aramaic, the international language of the empire?
- How does the criterion of creation distinguish the true God from all pretenders?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse provides a statement in Aramaic (the international language of that era): 'Thus 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.' The Aramaic switch may be for proclamation to foreign nations or to make the point memorable in the language of exile. The criterion distinguishes true from false gods: did they create? Gods that 'have not made' (la avadu) heaven and earth possess no ultimacy. Their fate: 'perish' (yevadu) from the realm they did not create. Temporal, created 'gods' will be destroyed; only the Creator endures.