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Jeremiah 10:9

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 10:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “There is silver beaten into plates, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the artificer and of the hands of the goldsmith; blue and purple for their clothing; they are all the work of skilful men.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

There is silver beaten into plates, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the artificer and of the hands of the goldsmith; blue and purple for their clothing; they are all the work of skilful men.
Jeremiah 10:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6There is none like unto thee, O Jehovah; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.
7Who should not fear thee, O King of the nations? for to thee doth it appertain; forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their royal estate, there is none like unto thee.
8But they are together brutish and foolish: the instruction of idols! it is but a stock.
9There is silver beaten into plates, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the artificer and of the hands of the goldsmith; blue and purple for their clothing; they are all the work of skilful men.
10But Jehovah is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the earth trembleth, and the nations are not able to abide his indignation.
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:
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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
“Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, etc.] In Cilicia, where the Apostle Paul was born; according to Josephus, as Jerom says, it was a country in India. The Targum renders it, from Africa, and calls it silver “rolled up”, or “covered”; so the Vulgate Latin; such was beaten with a hammer into plates, and might be rolled up for better convenience of shipment; and with which they covered and decked their idols, to make them look glittering and pompous, and command some awe and reverence from the common people. The Arabic version renders it, “solid silver”; it being the same word from whence the firmament of heaven has its name, or the wide expanse; hence we render it “spread”,…”
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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
“Everything connected with idols is the result of human effort. Silver spread--(See on Isa 30:22; Isa 40:19). Tarshish--Tartessus, in Spain, famed for precious metals. Uphaz-- (Dan 10:5). As the Septuagint in the Syrian Hexapla in the Margin, THEODOTUS, the Syrian and Chaldee versions have "Ophir," GESENIUS thinks "Uphaz" a colloquial corruption (one letter only being changed) for "Ophir." Ophir, in Gen 10:29, is mentioned among Arabian countries. Perhaps Malacca is the country meant, the natives of which still call their gold mines Ophirs. HEEREN thinks Ophir the general name for the rich countries of the south, on the Arabian, African, and Indian coasts; just as our term, East Indies.…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Or, “It is a piece of wood (Jeremiah 10:8 note); yea, beaten silver it is, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz: it is the work etc.” Tarshish ... Uphaz - See the marginal reference and Genesis 10:4. Possibly Uphaz was a place in the neighborhood of the River Hyphasis. Blue and purple - Both colors were purple, from dyes obtained from shellfish: but the former had a violet, the latter a red tinge. 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
“Tarshish - Is the proper name of a sea - town in Cilicia, and being a noted port, it is usually put for the ocean, and may signify any place beyond the sea. Uphaz - Probably the best gold came from thence as the best silver from Tarshish. Jeremiah 10:10”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“10:9 The people who created idols had to send far away for metal. They had to purchase silver from Tarshish on the southern tip of Spain. They had to buy gold from Uphaz (or Ophir) in Arabia. The skillful craftsmen and expert tailors put their best efforts into changing an otherwise worthless piece of wood or stone into an attractive artifact (see 10:4-5).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Silver: Jer 10:4 Tarshish: Kg1 10:22; Eze 27:12 Uphaz: Dan 10:5 are all: Psa 115:4 Jeremiah 10:10”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification