Jeremiah Chapter 10 · Verse 9
Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.
Original Language Analysis
מְרֻקָּ֞ע
spread into plates
H7554
מְרֻקָּ֞ע
spread into plates
Strong's:
H7554
Word #:
2 of 16
to pound the earth (as a sign of passion); by analogy to expand (by hammering); by implication, to overlay (with thin sheets of metal)
מִתַּרְשִׁ֣ישׁ
from Tarshish
H8659
מִתַּרְשִׁ֣ישׁ
from Tarshish
Strong's:
H8659
Word #:
3 of 16
tarshish, a place on the mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a persian and of an i
וְזָהָב֙
and gold
H2091
וְזָהָב֙
and gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
5 of 16
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה
the work
H4639
מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה
the work
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
7 of 16
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
וִידֵ֣י
and of the hands
H3027
וִידֵ֣י
and of the hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 16
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
צוֹרֵ֑ף
of the founder
H6884
צוֹרֵ֑ף
of the founder
Strong's:
H6884
Word #:
10 of 16
to fuse (metal), i.e., refine (literally or figuratively)
תְּכֵ֤לֶת
blue
H8504
תְּכֵ֤לֶת
blue
Strong's:
H8504
Word #:
11 of 16
the cerulean mussel, i.e., the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith
לְבוּשָׁ֔ם
is their clothing
H3830
לְבוּשָׁ֔ם
is their clothing
Strong's:
H3830
Word #:
13 of 16
a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife
מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה
the work
H4639
מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה
the work
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
14 of 16
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
Cross References
Psalms 115:4Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.Daniel 10:5Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:Isaiah 40:19The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.1 Kings 10:22For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
Historical Context
Tarshish (possibly Tartessos in Spain) traded silver throughout the Mediterranean. Ophir's location is debated—possibly East Africa, Arabia, or India—but it was legendary for gold (1 Kings 9:28, 10:11). Blue and purple dyes were extraordinarily expensive, extracted from murex snails. The finest materials from around the known world, combined by the most skilled craftsmen—yet still producing lifeless objects. The contrast with YHWH, who creates by speaking, is absolute.
Questions for Reflection
- How does listing the finest materials and craftsmen intensify rather than diminish the critique of idolatry?
- What does investing the best resources in creating lifeless objects reveal about human religious impulses?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes idol materials: 'Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz.' Tarshish, likely in Spain, was renowned for silver trade; Uphaz may be a variant of Ophir, famous for gold. The finest materials from distant sources—yet still just metal. 'The work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder.' charash (חָרָשׁ, craftsman) and tsaraph (צָרָף, metalworker, refiner) are human artisans. 'Blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.' Expensive dyes (blue from tekhelet, purple from argaman) dress the statues in royal colors—yet underneath is dead material. Every element is human product: imported metals, skilled craftsmen, expensive dyes.