Jeremiah 10:1
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Jeremiah 10:1
1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
Chapter Context
Jeremiah 10 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of redemption, holiness, righteousness. Written during the final years of Judah and early exile (c. 627-580 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Prophesied during Judah's final years as Babylon became the dominant power.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-25: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Jeremiah and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Jeremiah 10:1
1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
Analysis
This verse opens a new oracle: 'Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel.' The Hebrew shim'u (שִׁמְעוּ, hear) with eth-haddavar (אֶת־הַדָּבָר, the word) emphasizes attentive obedience to divine revelation. This verse introduces an extended polemic against idolatry, contrasting the true God with worthless idols. The address to 'house of Israel' encompasses the entire covenant people, though by Jeremiah's time it primarily meant Judah. The chapter's theme—the incomparability of YHWH versus the nothingness of idols—resonates throughout prophetic literature, especially Isaiah 40-48.
Historical Context
This chapter may have been composed during the exile or shortly before, addressing the temptation to worship Babylonian gods whose power seemed demonstrated by their victory over Judah. The exiles needed reassurance that YHWH remained the true God despite Jerusalem's fall. Similar anti-idol polemic appears in Isaiah's later chapters and Daniel's accounts of Babylonian religious practice.
Reflection
- Why does God begin this oracle with a command to 'hear,' and what does this demand from the audience?
- How does the contrast between YHWH and idols address the theological crisis caused by Jerusalem's fall?
Word Studies
- Word: דָּבָר (Davar) H1697 - Word, thing, matter