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Jeremiah 10:14

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 10:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Every man is become brutish [and is] without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his graven image; for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Every man is become brutish [and is] without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his graven image; for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
Jeremiah 10:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, these shall perish from the earth, and from under the heavens.
12He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding hath he stretched out the heavens:
13when he uttereth his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries.
14Every man is become brutish [and is] without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his graven image; for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
15They are vanity, a work of delusion: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
16The portion of Jacob is not like these; for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance: Jehovah of hosts is his name.
17Gather up thy wares out of the land, O thou that abidest in the siege.
← Jeremiah 10:13Jeremiah 10:15 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Every man is brutish in his knowledge, etc.] Or science of making an idol, whether it be of wood, or of gold, or silver, or brass; he is no better than a brute, if he thinks, when he has made it, he has made a god: or, “because of knowledge”f214; for want of it; being without the knowledge of God and divine things, he is like the beasts that perish, (<194920>Psalm 49:20): every founder is confounded by the graven image; or put to shame on account of it; since, after all his art, and care, and trouble, in melting and refining, and casting it into a form, it is no more than a piece of gold, or silver, or brass, and has no deity, nor anything like it, in it: for his molten image is falsehood;…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“in his knowledge--"is rendered brutish by his skill," namely, in idol-making (Jer 10:8-9). Thus the parallel, "confounded by the graven image," corresponds (so Jer 51:17). Others not so well translate, "without knowledge," namely, of God (see Isa 42:17; Isa 45:16; Hos 4:6).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“In his knowledge - Rather, “without knowledge; i. e., on comparing his powerless idols with the terrific grandeur of a tropical thunderstorm the man who can still worship them instead of the Creator is destitute of knowledge. Every founder ... - Or, “every goldsmith is put to shame etc.” He has exhausted his skill on what remains an image. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Every man - Every idolator. Jeremiah 10:15”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“man: Jer 10:8, Jer 51:17, Jer 51:18; Psa 14:2, Psa 92:6, Psa 94:8; Pro 30:2; Isa 44:18-20, Isa 46:7, Isa 46:8; Rom 1:22, Rom 1:23 brutish in his knowledge: or, more brutish than to know, founder. Jer 51:17; Psa 97:7; Isa 42:17, Isa 44:11, Isa 45:16 and: Psa 115:4-8, Psa 135:16-18; Hab 2:18, Hab 2:19 Jeremiah 10:15”
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Sources and verification