Jeremiah 10:2
Thus 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.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֣ה׀
H3541
כֹּ֣ה׀
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
דֶּ֤רֶךְ
not the way
H1870
דֶּ֤רֶךְ
not the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
5 of 16
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם
for the heathen
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם
for the heathen
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
6 of 16
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
7 of 16
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּלְמָ֔דוּ
Learn
H3925
תִּלְמָ֔דוּ
Learn
Strong's:
H3925
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
וּמֵאֹת֥וֹת
at the signs
H226
וּמֵאֹת֥וֹת
at the signs
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
9 of 16
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
of heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
of heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
10 of 16
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
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
11 of 16
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יֵחַ֥תּוּ
and be not dismayed
H2865
יֵחַ֥תּוּ
and be not dismayed
Strong's:
H2865
Word #:
12 of 16
properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יֵחַ֥תּוּ
and be not dismayed
H2865
יֵחַ֥תּוּ
and be not dismayed
Strong's:
H2865
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
Cross References
Leviticus 20:23And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.Leviticus 18:3After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances.Ezekiel 20:32And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.
Historical Context
Babylonian astrology was highly developed; astronomical records and omen texts fill cuneiform tablets. Eclipses, planetary movements, and unusual celestial phenomena were interpreted as messages from gods affecting empires and individuals. Exiled Judeans living in Babylon faced constant exposure to this sophisticated astral religion. The command to not 'learn' such practices addresses the temptation to adopt Babylonian religious worldview.
Questions for Reflection
- What contemporary forms of pagan 'ways' might believers be tempted to learn or adopt?
- How does knowing God controls the heavens free us from superstitious fear of signs and omens?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse warns against adopting pagan practices: 'Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen.' The Hebrew derek haggoyim (דֶּרֶךְ הַגּוֹיִם) means the path, conduct, or religious customs of the nations. 'And be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.' 'Signs of heaven' (othoth hashamayim, אֹתוֹת הַשָּׁמַיִם) refers to celestial phenomena—eclipses, comets, planetary conjunctions—interpreted as omens. chatat (חָתַת, dismayed, terrified) describes pagan fear of cosmic signs. God's people should not share this fear because YHWH controls the heavens; the signs pagans dread are merely YHWH's creation.