Jeremiah 10:2

“Thus saith the Lord, learn not the way of the Heathen, etc.] Of the nations round about them, particularly the Chaldeans; meaning their religious ways, their ways of worship, their superstition and idolatry, which they were very prone unto, and many of which they had learned already; and were in danger of learning more, as they were about to be dispersed in divers countries, and especially in Chaldea, which was a very superstitious and idolatrous nation: and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; by which are meant, not any extraordinary signs, such as are predicted in (<290230>Joel 2:30,31), and by our Lord, as signs of the last destruction of Jerusalem, and of his coming, and of the end…”

“EICHORN thinks the reference here to be to some celestial portent which had appeared at that time, causing the Jews' dismay. Probably the reference is general, namely, to the Chaldeans, famed as astrologers, through contact with whom the Jews were likely to fall into the same superstition. way--the precepts or ordinances (Lev 18:3; Act 9:2). signs of heaven--The Gentiles did not acknowledge a Great First Cause: many thought events depended on the power of the stars, which some, as PLATO, thought to be endued with spirit and reason. All heavenly phenomena, eclipses, comets, &c., are included. one cutteth a tree, &c.--rather, "It (that which they busy themselves about: a sample of their…”

“Signs of heaven - Extraordinary appearances, such as eclipses, comets, and the like, which seemed to the pagan to portend national calamities. To attribute importance to them is to walk in pagan ways. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Learn not - The Jews being to live among the Chaldeans in their captivity, where many of them were already, the prophet admonishes them against the Chaldean idolatries, who were all much addicted to astrology. The signs - This was so common among them, that Judicial astrologers, of what nation soever, were generally termed Chaldeans. The Heathen - Leave this to Heathens; it doth not become God's people. Jeremiah 10:9”

“10:2 The Lord commanded Israel (particularly Judah, because it was all that remained of Israel) to act differently from other nations. He warned them to reject certain people, such as astrologers who claim to read their future in the stars.”

“Learn: Lev 18:3, Lev 20:23; Deu 12:30, Deu 12:31; Eze 20:32 be: Isa 47:12-14; Luk 21:25-28 Jeremiah 10:3”