Jeremiah 10:5
They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
Original Language Analysis
מִקְשָׁ֥ה
They are upright
H4749
מִקְשָׁ֥ה
They are upright
Strong's:
H4749
Word #:
2 of 20
rounded work, i.e., moulded by hammering (repousse)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ
but speak
H1696
יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ
but speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
5 of 20
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יִנָּשׂ֖וּא
be borne
H5375
יִנָּשׂ֖וּא
be borne
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
6 of 20
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
יִנָּשׂ֖וּא
be borne
H5375
יִנָּשׂ֖וּא
be borne
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
7 of 20
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִצְעָ֑דוּ
because they cannot go
H6805
יִצְעָ֑דוּ
because they cannot go
Strong's:
H6805
Word #:
10 of 20
to pace, i.e., step regularly; (upward) to mount; (along) to march; (down and causatively) to hurl
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
11 of 20
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּֽירְא֤וּ
Be not afraid
H3372
תִּֽירְא֤וּ
Be not afraid
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
12 of 20
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָרֵ֔עוּ
of them for they cannot do evil
H7489
יָרֵ֔עוּ
of them for they cannot do evil
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
16 of 20
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
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.1 Corinthians 12:2Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.Isaiah 46:1Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.1 Corinthians 8:4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.Habakkuk 2:19Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.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.
Historical Context
Babylonian religious processions carried divine statues through city streets on festival days. The Akitu festival involved elaborate processional carrying of Marduk's statue. Israel witnessed these impressive displays during exile. Yet Jeremiah reduces these ceremonies to absurdity: gods who must be carried, who cannot walk, who have no power whatsoever. Isaiah 46:1-7 similarly mocks Babylonian gods that must be carried on beasts.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the image of a god that must be carried contrast with the true God who carries His people (Isaiah 46:3-4)?
- What contemporary objects of devotion similarly promise power but deliver nothing?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse mocks idols' helplessness: 'They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not.' The Hebrew tomer miqshah (תֹּמֶר מִקְשָׁה) may mean 'scarecrow in a cucumber field' (NIV) or 'palm tree' (KJV)—rigid, immobile, decorative but lifeless. 'They must needs be borne, because they cannot go.' Idols require carrying (nasa, נָשָׂא); they cannot walk (tsaad, צָעַד). 'Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.' The conclusion is reassuring: these objects have no power—neither to harm nor help. They are impotent, irrelevant, non-beings. Fear of them is irrational; hope in them is futile.