Jeremiah 10:4
They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
Original Language Analysis
בְּכֶ֥סֶף
it with silver
H3701
בְּכֶ֥סֶף
it with silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
1 of 8
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
וּבְזָהָ֖ב
and with gold
H2091
וּבְזָהָ֖ב
and with gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
2 of 8
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
יְיַפֵּ֑הוּ
They deck
H3302
יְיַפֵּ֑הוּ
They deck
Strong's:
H3302
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, to be bright, i.e., (by implication) beautiful
וּבְמַקָּב֛וֹת
and with hammers
H4717
וּבְמַקָּב֛וֹת
and with hammers
Strong's:
H4717
Word #:
5 of 8
properly, a perforatrix, i.e., a hammer (as piercing)
יְחַזְּק֖וּם
they fasten
H2388
יְחַזְּק֖וּם
they fasten
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
6 of 8
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
Cross References
Isaiah 46:7They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.Isaiah 44:12The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.Psalms 115:4Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.Psalms 135:15The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
Historical Context
Ancient idol construction often involved wooden cores overlaid with precious metals. Temple inventories from Mesopotamia record gold and silver weights used for divine statues. The need to fasten idols for stability appears in other biblical passages (Isaiah 40:19-20, 41:7). Archaeological discoveries of fallen idols in destroyed temples confirm their material fragility.
Questions for Reflection
- What does an idol's need to be nailed down reveal about its inability to save or help?
- How do we 'fasten' our modern idols to keep them from falling—props and supports for things that cannot stand on their own?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse continues describing idol manufacture: 'They deck it with silver and with gold.' The Hebrew kesheph (כֶּסֶף, silver) and zahav (זָהָב, gold) indicate precious metal overlay making the idol impressive. 'They fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.' The Hebrew masmerim (מַסְמְרִים, nails) and maqqaboth (מַקָּבוֹת, hammers) reveal the idol's instability—it must be fastened to prevent falling! A god that must be nailed down to stand upright is no god. The irony is devastating: worshippers bow before an object that would fall over without human support.