Jeremiah 10:3
For 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.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הָֽעַמִּ֖ים
of the people
H5971
הָֽעַמִּ֖ים
of the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 13
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הֶ֣בֶל
are vain
H1892
הֶ֣בֶל
are vain
Strong's:
H1892
Word #:
4 of 13
emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
ה֑וּא
H1931
ה֑וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
5 of 13
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִיַּ֣עַר
out of the forest
H3293
מִיַּ֣עַר
out of the forest
Strong's:
H3293
Word #:
8 of 13
a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)
כְּרָת֔וֹ
for one cutteth
H3772
כְּרָת֔וֹ
for one cutteth
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
9 of 13
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה
the work
H4639
מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה
the work
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
10 of 13
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
יְדֵ֥י
of the hands
H3027
יְדֵ֥י
of the hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
11 of 13
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Cross References
Leviticus 18:30Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.Jeremiah 10:8But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.Romans 1:21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.1 Peter 1:18Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;Isaiah 45:20Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.Matthew 6:7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.Jeremiah 2:5Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
Historical Context
This passage parallels Isaiah 44:9-20's extended satire on idol making. Archaeological discoveries of ancient workshops reveal the idol manufacturing process: wooden cores overlaid with metal, stone carvings, clay moldings. The craftsmen who made these objects knew they were creating statues, yet somehow their products became objects of worship. The prophets expose this absurdity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does tracing an idol's origin to a tree cut from the forest expose idolatry's absurdity?
- What modern 'gods' are similarly human creations that we elevate to objects of devotion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse exposes idol manufacture: 'For the customs of the people are vain.' The Hebrew chuqqoth (חֻקּוֹת, statutes, customs) with hevel (הֶבֶל, vanity, breath, nothing) declares religious practices worthless. 'For one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.' The idol begins as a tree—created thing—cut down by human labor (charash, חָרָשׁ, craftsman) using human tools (ma'atsad, מַעֲצָד, axe). The manufacturing process is mundane, ordinary, entirely human. What emerges is 'work of hands'—human product, not divine being. The polemic reduces impressive idols to their origin: firewood shaped by workers.