Jeremiah Chapter 51 · Verse 17
Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אָדָם֙
Every man
H120
אָדָם֙
Every man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
3 of 14
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
הֹבִ֥ישׁ
is confounded
H3001
הֹבִ֥ישׁ
is confounded
Strong's:
H3001
Word #:
5 of 14
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
צֹרֵ֖ף
every founder
H6884
צֹרֵ֖ף
every founder
Strong's:
H6884
Word #:
7 of 14
to fuse (metal), i.e., refine (literally or figuratively)
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שֶׁ֥קֶר
is falsehood
H8267
שֶׁ֥קֶר
is falsehood
Strong's:
H8267
Word #:
10 of 14
an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Jeremiah 10:14Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.Psalms 14:2The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.Jeremiah 50:2Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.
Historical Context
Babylon's idol-making industry was extensive, crafting images of Marduk, Ishtar, Nabu, and other deities. Archaeological discoveries include numerous Babylonian idols—gold, silver, stone statues. Isaiah 40:19-20 and 44:9-20 satirize the idol-making process: craftsmen using part of wood for cooking fire, part for carving a god. Babylonian religion invested enormous resources in idol worship, temple rituals, and divination. Yet when Cyrus conquered Babylon, these gods proved powerless to save their worshippers—vindicating prophetic mockery of idol impotence.
Questions for Reflection
- How does human knowledge apart from divine revelation produce spiritual 'brutishness' rather than wisdom?
- What contemporary 'graven images' do people craft and then worship, despite knowing their human origin?
- In what ways does Romans 1:18-25's description of idolatry's irrationality parallel Jeremiah's critique of Babylonian religion?
Analysis & Commentary
Every man is brutish by his knowledge—the word "brutish" (בָּעַר, ba'ar, be stupid, be brutish) means becoming animal-like, lacking spiritual discernment. The phrase "by his knowledge" is ironic: human wisdom apart from God produces stupidity. Romans 1:22 echoes this: "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." Worldly learning without divine revelation breeds spiritual ignorance.
Every founder is confounded by the graven image—the idol-maker (צֹרֵף, tsoref, goldsmith, refiner) is "confounded" (בּוֹשׁ, bosh, ashamed, disappointed) by his own creation. The craftsman knows the idol's origin yet worships it anyway—ultimate irrationality. For his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them—idols are "falsehood" (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer, lie, deception) because they claim deity while being lifeless metal. The phrase "no breath" (רוּחַ, ruach, breath, spirit) emphasizes idols' inability to give life—they're inanimate. Only God breathes life (Genesis 2:7).