Jeremiah 10:3

For the customs of the people [are] vain: for [one] cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

For the customs {H2708} of the people {H5971} are vain {H1892}: for one cutteth {H3772} a tree {H6086} out of the forest {H3293}, the work {H4639} of the hands {H3027} of the workman {H2796}, with the axe {H4621}.

for the customs of the peoples are nothing. They cut down a tree in the forest; a craftsman works it with his axe;

For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman.

For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.

Commentary

Jeremiah 10:3 offers a powerful and pointed critique of idolatry, setting the stage for a broader condemnation of man-made gods versus the true, living God. The prophet highlights the inherent futility and emptiness of pagan worship practices, particularly those involving the creation of idols from natural materials.

Context

The prophet Jeremiah ministered in Judah during a turbulent period leading up to the Babylonian exile (late 7th and early 6th centuries BC). Chapter 10 serves as a stark contrast between the incomparable greatness of the Lord God of Israel and the worthless nature of the idols worshipped by the surrounding nations. This specific verse, Jeremiah 10:3, begins a detailed description of the process of idol-making, emphasizing that these so-called gods are merely the products of human hands and natural resources. This passage directly follows a warning against learning the customs of the heathen, which often involved astrological practices and the worship of created things.

Key Themes

  • The Vanity of Idolatry: The primary message is that "the customs of the people are vain." This means their practices and objects of worship are empty, futile, and utterly without substance or power. They offer no true help or salvation.
  • Man-Made vs. Divine Creator: The verse sharply contrasts the Creator with the created. Idols are explicitly identified as "the work of the hands of the workman," emphasizing their origin in human effort and limited materials, rather than divine power. This theme is further developed in subsequent verses, highlighting the ultimate powerlessness of these idols compared to the living God (see Jeremiah 10:10).
  • Critique of Pagan Practices: Jeremiah directly challenges the prevailing pagan worship systems of the ancient Near East, which often involved carving cultic images from wood and adorning them. The prophet exposes the illogical nature of worshipping something that one has fashioned with one's own hands.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "vain" is hevel (Χ”ΦΆΧ‘ΦΆΧœ), which frequently appears in the book of Ecclesiastes. It carries the sense of emptiness, futility, breath, or vapor – something fleeting, insubstantial, and ultimately meaningless. When applied to the customs and idols of the nations, it powerfully conveys their utter lack of spiritual value, power, or lasting significance. These customs are not just wrong; they are pointless.

Related Scriptures

  • For more on the process of idol making and its absurdity, see Jeremiah 10:4-5.
  • Similar critiques of idol worship can be found in Isaiah 44:9-20, which vividly describes the process of making an idol and the foolishness of worshipping it.
  • The powerlessness of idols is also a strong theme in Psalm 115:4-7.
  • The warning against adopting the customs of other nations is rooted in earlier Mosaic law, such as Deuteronomy 12:30-31.

Practical Application

While modern society may not typically carve wooden idols, the principle of Jeremiah 10:3 remains profoundly relevant. Idolatry, in its broader sense, is worshipping or giving ultimate allegiance to anything other than God. This can manifest in:

  • Materialism: When possessions, wealth, or career become the central focus and source of security or identity.
  • Self-Worship: Prioritizing one's own desires, comfort, or image above all else.
  • Cultural Customs: Adopting societal trends or beliefs without critical evaluation against biblical truth, especially when they contradict God's Word.
This verse calls believers to examine their own lives: What "customs" or pursuits are we engaged in that might be "vain"β€”empty, futile, or distracting us from true worship of the living God? It serves as a timeless reminder to prioritize God's eternal truth and power over the fleeting and powerless creations of human hands or minds.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 18:30

    Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that [ye] commit not [any one] of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I [am] the LORD your God.

  • Isaiah 44:9

    ΒΆ They that make a graven image [are] all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they [are] their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.

  • 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?

  • 1 Peter 1:18

    Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers;

  • Romans 1:21

    Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

  • Jeremiah 10:8

    But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock [is] a doctrine of vanities.

  • 1 Kings 18:26

    And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed [it], and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But [there was] no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
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