Jeremiah 10:12
He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
Original Language Analysis
עֹשֵׂ֥ה
He hath made
H6213
עֹשֵׂ֥ה
He hath made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 9
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בְּכֹח֔וֹ
by his power
H3581
בְּכֹח֔וֹ
by his power
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
3 of 9
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
מֵכִ֥ין
he hath established
H3559
מֵכִ֥ין
he hath established
Strong's:
H3559
Word #:
4 of 9
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
תֵּבֵ֖ל
the world
H8398
תֵּבֵ֖ל
the world
Strong's:
H8398
Word #:
5 of 9
the earth (as moist and therefore inhabited); by extension, the globe; by implication, its inhabitants; specifically, a particular land, as babylonia,
וּבִתְבוּנָת֖וֹ
by his discretion
H8394
וּבִתְבוּנָת֖וֹ
by his discretion
Strong's:
H8394
Word #:
7 of 9
intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
Cross References
Job 9:8Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.Genesis 1:1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.Isaiah 49:8Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;Psalms 24:2For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.Proverbs 3:19The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.Isaiah 40:22It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:Colossians 1:16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:John 1:3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.Isaiah 44:24Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;Isaiah 48:13Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.
Historical Context
This verse appears nearly identically in Jeremiah 51:15, suggesting formulaic usage in worship or prophetic tradition. Creation theology was crucial during exile when Babylon's creation myths (Enuma Elish) competed for exiles' allegiance. Affirming YHWH as Creator countered Marduk's claims and established His right to universal worship.
Questions for Reflection
- How do power, wisdom, and understanding together describe the Creator's work?
- What does creation's sophistication reveal about its Maker's character?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse celebrates creation: 'He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.' Three verbs with three divine attributes: 'made' (asah) with 'power' (koach), 'established' (kun) with 'wisdom' (chokmah), 'stretched out' (natah) with 'discretion/understanding' (tevunah). Creation displays divine strength, wisdom, and intelligence simultaneously. The Hebrew imagery of 'stretching' the heavens like a tent appears throughout Scripture (Psalm 104:2, Isaiah 40:22). Unlike idols fashioned by human craftsmen, YHWH fashioned the entire cosmos through His inherent attributes.