King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
At this, everyone is proved stupid, ignorant, every goldsmith put to shame by his idol! The figures he casts are a fraud, there is no breath in them,
Berean Standard Bible:
Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them.
American Standard Version:
Every man is become brutish and is without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his image; for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Every man{H120} is brutish{H1197} by his knowledge{H1847}; every founder{H6884} is confounded{H3001} by the graven image{H6459}: for his molten image{H5262} is falsehood{H8267}, and there is no breath{H7307} in them.
Cross-References (KJV):
Jeremiah 10:14
- Every 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.
Habakkuk 2:18
- What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?
Habakkuk 2:19
- Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it [is] laid over with gold and silver, and [there is] no breath at all in the midst of it.
Psalms 14:2
- The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, [and] seek God.
Isaiah 44:18
- They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; [and] their hearts, that they cannot understand.
Isaiah 44:20
- He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, [Is there] not a lie in my right hand?
Jeremiah 50:2
- Declare 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.
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Commentary for Jeremiah 51:17
Jeremiah 51:17 is part of the larger narrative found in the book of Jeremiah, which is a prophetic book in the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. This verse specifically addresses the folly of idolatry, a common theme throughout the prophetic writings. The historical context of this verse is set during a time when the Babylonian Empire was at its peak, and the prophet Jeremiah is foretelling its imminent fall.
In this verse, Jeremiah criticizes the practice of idolatry, which was prevalent among the nations surrounding Judah, including Babylon. The phrase "Every man is brutish by [his] knowledge" suggests that people are foolish or stupid in their self-proclaimed wisdom when they create idols. The term "brutish" here implies a lack of understanding or insight, akin to the senselessness of animals. The verse goes on to describe how the craftsmen, or "founders," who create these graven images are ultimately confounded or put to shame by their own creations. This is because the idols they make are false; they are lifeless and powerless, as denoted by the phrase "there is no breath in them."
The underlying themes of Jeremiah 51:17 are the futility of idol worship and the superiority of the living God of Israel over the inanimate objects worshipped by other nations. The verse underscores the prophetic message that reliance on idols is misguided and that the fall of Babylon—a nation steeped in idolatry—will serve as a stark reminder of this truth. Jeremiah's condemnation of idolatry serves to reinforce monotheism and the exclusive worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel, who is the true source of life and wisdom.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H120
There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָדָם
Transliteration: ʼâdâm
Pronunciation: aw-dawm'
Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. - Strong's Number: H1197
There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּעַר
Transliteration: bâʻar
Pronunciation: baw-ar'
Description: a primitive root; also as denominative from בַּעַר; to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish; be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste. - Strong's Number: H1847
There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דַּעַת
Transliteration: daʻath
Pronunciation: dah'-ath
Description: from יָדַע; knowledge; cunning, (ig-) norantly, know(-ledge), (un-) awares (wittingly). - Strong's Number: H6884
There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָרַף
Transliteration: tsâraph
Pronunciation: tsaw-raf'
Description: a primitive root; to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally or figuratively); cast, (re-) fine(-er), founder, goldsmith, melt, pure, purge away, try. - Strong's Number: H3001
There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָבֵשׁ
Transliteration: yâbêsh
Pronunciation: yaw-bashe'
Description: a primitive root; to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage); be ashamed, clean, be confounded, (make) dry (up), (do) shame(-fully), [idiom] utterly, wither (away). - Strong's Number: H6459
There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פֶּסֶל
Transliteration: peçel
Pronunciation: peh'-sel
Description: lemma פֶסֶל missing dagesh, corrected to פֶּסֶל; from פָּסַל; an idol; carved (graven) image. - Strong's Number: H5262
There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נֶסֶךְ
Transliteration: neçek
Pronunciation: neh'-sek
Description: or נֵסֶךְ; from נָסַךְ; a libation; also a cast idol; cover, drink offering, molten image. - Strong's Number: H8267
There are 109 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁקֶר
Transliteration: sheqer
Pronunciation: sheh'-ker
Description: from שָׁקַר; an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial); without a cause, deceit(-ful), false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, [phrase] lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully. - Strong's Number: H7307
There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רוּחַ
Transliteration: rûwach
Pronunciation: roo'-akh
Description: from רוּחַ; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions); air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y).