Jeremiah 10:7

Authorized King James Version

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Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.

Original Language Analysis

מִ֣י H4310
מִ֣י
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 1 of 16
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
לֹ֤א H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 2 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִֽרָאֲךָ֙ Who would not fear H3372
יִֽרָאֲךָ֙ Who would not fear
Strong's: H3372
Word #: 3 of 16
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
מֶ֣לֶךְ thee O King H4428
מֶ֣לֶךְ thee O King
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 4 of 16
a king
הַגּוֹיִ֛ם men of the nations H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֛ם men of the nations
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 5 of 16
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
כִּ֥י H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 6 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לְךָ֖ H0
לְךָ֖
Strong's: H0
Word #: 7 of 16
יָאָ֑תָה for to thee doth it appertain H2969
יָאָ֑תָה for to thee doth it appertain
Strong's: H2969
Word #: 8 of 16
to be suitable
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 9 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְכָל H3605
בְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 10 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חַכְמֵ֧י forasmuch as among all the wise H2450
חַכְמֵ֧י forasmuch as among all the wise
Strong's: H2450
Word #: 11 of 16
wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)
הַגּוֹיִ֛ם men of the nations H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֛ם men of the nations
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 12 of 16
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וּבְכָל H3605
וּבְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 13 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַלְכוּתָ֖ם and in all their kingdoms H4438
מַלְכוּתָ֖ם and in all their kingdoms
Strong's: H4438
Word #: 14 of 16
a rule; concretely, a dominion
מֵאֵ֥ין H369
מֵאֵ֥ין
Strong's: H369
Word #: 15 of 16
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
כָּמֽוֹךָ׃ H3644
כָּמֽוֹךָ׃
Strong's: H3644
Word #: 16 of 16
as, thus, so

Analysis & Commentary

This verse declares universal divine sovereignty: 'Who would not fear thee, O King of nations?' The rhetorical question expects universal answer: everyone should fear this King. 'For to thee doth it appertain.' The Hebrew ya'atha (יָאֲתָה) means 'it is fitting, appropriate, proper'—fear is YHWH's rightful due. 'Forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.' Even pagan wisdom and royal power find nothing comparable to YHWH. The 'wise men of nations' (chakhmei haggoyim) would include Babylonian sages famed for astronomical and magical knowledge; even they possess nothing equal to Israel's God.

Historical Context

Babylonian 'wise men' were renowned throughout the ancient world—Daniel was enrolled among them (Daniel 2:12-13). Their astronomical knowledge, mathematical skills, and divinatory practices impressed all cultures. Yet Jeremiah dismisses all this sophistication as nothing compared to knowing YHWH. The title 'King of nations' claims universal sovereignty—YHWH rules not just Israel but all peoples.

Questions for Reflection

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