Jeremiah 10:5

KJV

They [are] upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good.

KJV (with Strong's)

They are upright {H4749} as the palm tree {H8560}, but speak {H1696} not: they must needs {H5375} be borne {H5375}, because they cannot go {H6805}. Be not afraid {H3372} of them; for they cannot do evil {H7489}, neither also is it in them to do good {H3190}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Like a scarecrow in a cucumber patch, it cannot speak. It has to be carried, because it cannot walk. Do not be afraid of it it can do nothing bad; likewise it is unable to do anything good!"

Berean Standard Bible

Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”

American Standard Version

They are like a palm-tree, of turned work, and speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 10:5 vividly portrays the utter powerlessness and futility of idols, contrasting their static, man-made nature with the dynamic, living God of Israel. The verse describes these false gods as immobile, speechless, and incapable of either good or evil, serving as a stark warning against placing trust in anything other than the Lord. It underscores the profound theological truth that true divine power resides solely with the Creator, not with human creations, thereby calling the faithful to abandon idolatry and embrace genuine reverence for God alone.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 10:5 is an integral part of a larger prophetic discourse in [Jeremiah 10](/jeremiah/10 "Jeremiah 10 - The Folly of Idolatry and the Greatness of God"), which serves as a powerful polemic against idolatry. This chapter immediately follows Jeremiah's lament and confession in [Jeremiah 9](/jeremiah/9 "Jeremiah 9 - Lament and Call to Repentance"), setting the stage for a divine declaration against the pagan practices that threatened to corrupt Judah. The passage from [Jeremiah 10:1-16](/jeremiah/10-1-16 "Jeremiah 10:1-16 - Idols vs. The True God") meticulously contrasts the lifelessness and impotence of man-made idols with the omnipotence, sovereignty, and living reality of Yahweh, the God of Israel. Our verse, [Jeremiah 10:5](/jeremiah/10-5 "Jeremiah 10:5 - The Impotence of Idols"), specifically details the physical limitations of these idols, leading into the declaration of God's incomparable greatness in [Jeremiah 10:6-7](/jeremiah/10-6-7 "Jeremiah 10:6-7 - God's Unrivaled Power").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Jeremiah ministered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history (late 7th to early 6th century BCE), leading up to and during the Babylonian exile. This era was marked by pervasive syncretism, where the people of Judah often blended the worship of Yahweh with the worship of foreign deities, influenced by the surrounding nations (e.g., Assyria, Babylon, Egypt). Idolatry was a significant spiritual problem, with various forms of idols—often carved from wood and overlaid with precious metals—being common objects of veneration. These idols were believed to embody or represent specific deities and were thought to possess power over natural phenomena or human affairs. Jeremiah's message directly confronted this cultural reality, challenging the deeply ingrained pagan practices and calling Judah back to exclusive covenant loyalty to Yahweh, who had delivered them from Egypt and established them as His people.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme running through [Jeremiah 10](/jeremiah/10 "Jeremiah 10 - The Folly of Idolatry and the Greatness of God") and specifically highlighted in [Jeremiah 10:5](/jeremiah/10-5 "Jeremiah 10:5 - The Impotence of Idols") is the **impotence and futility of idolatry**. The verse starkly illustrates that idols, despite their appearance, are lifeless objects incapable of action, speech, or influence, serving as a powerful counterpoint to the living God. This leads to the theme of **God's incomparable sovereignty and power**, which is implicitly affirmed by the contrast. If idols can do nothing, then only the true God can act, save, and judge, as emphasized in [Jeremiah 10:10](/jeremiah/10-10 "Jeremiah 10:10 - The Lord is the True God"). Finally, the passage carries a strong **call to fearlessness and trust in God alone**. The command "Be not afraid of them" directly challenges any reverence or fear people might have for these powerless objects, redirecting true awe and reliance towards the Lord, who alone is worthy of worship and trust, a sentiment echoed throughout the prophetic literature, such as in [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9-20 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idol Worship").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **upright (Hebrew, _miqshâh'_):** This feminine noun, derived from a root meaning "to beat out" or "to hammer," refers to something that is "rounded work," "moulded by hammering," or "beaten out of one piece." In the context of idols, it describes their rigid, fixed, and often tall, column-like appearance, crafted by human hands, rather than possessing inherent life or flexibility. It emphasizes their manufactured nature.
* **speak (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** A primitive root, this verb primarily means "to speak" or "to utter words." It can also imply arranging or commanding. Here, its negation ("speak not") powerfully highlights the idols' utter lack of consciousness, communication, or ability to issue commands or prophecies, directly contrasting them with the God who speaks and whose word is active and powerful.
* **good (Hebrew, _yâṭab'_):** A primitive root meaning "to be (causative) make well," "to be good," or "to be successful/right." It encompasses concepts of benefit, acceptance, and prosperity. The phrase "neither also is it in them to do good" underscores the idols' complete inability to provide any genuine help, blessing, or positive intervention in human affairs, rendering them entirely useless as objects of reliance or worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They [are] upright as the palm tree,"**: This phrase describes the physical appearance of the idols. They are depicted as tall, straight, and rigid, much like the trunk of a palm tree. This imagery emphasizes their static, unmoving nature and their manufactured form, crafted by human hands to stand erect but without any internal life force.
* **"but speak not:"**: This clause immediately highlights a fundamental deficiency: the idols are mute. Unlike a living being, particularly a deity, they cannot communicate, issue commands, offer guidance, or respond to prayers. This silence underscores their lifelessness and inability to interact with their worshippers.
* **"they must needs be borne, because they cannot go."**: This further elaborates on their immobility. Idols are so devoid of agency that they cannot move on their own; they must be carried by their worshippers. This dependency on human effort for movement vividly illustrates their powerlessness and the absurdity of worshipping something that requires human assistance to even change location.
* **"Be not afraid of them;"**: This is a direct command from the prophet, urging the people not to fear or revere these idols. It implies that there might have been a temptation to fear their perceived power or the potential wrath of the deities they represented. Jeremiah unequivocally states that such fear is unwarranted.
* **"for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good."**: This concluding statement encapsulates the idols' ultimate impotence. They are incapable of exercising any form of power, whether for harm or for benefit. They can neither inflict punishment nor bestow blessings, rendering them utterly irrelevant to the true well-being or detriment of humanity. This absolute neutrality underscores their non-existence as divine entities.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 10:5 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message of the futility of idolatry. **Personification** is central, as the idols are described with human-like attributes (standing "upright," "speak not," "cannot go") only to immediately negate these capabilities, thereby emphasizing their lifelessness. The repeated use of **negation** ("speak not," "cannot go," "cannot do evil," "cannot do good") creates a powerful rhetorical rhythm that underscores the idols' utter lack of agency and divine power. This **repetition** serves to hammer home the point of their impotence. Furthermore, the verse uses **contrast** to highlight the vast difference between the static, inert idols and the dynamic, living God (who is implicitly contrasted throughout the chapter). The imagery of the "palm tree" provides a **simile**, creating a vivid picture of the idols' rigid, upright, yet lifeless form. The overall tone is one of **sarcasm** and **irony**, mocking the foolishness of those who worship objects so clearly inferior to their human creators.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 10:5 profoundly contributes to the biblical theology of idolatry, asserting the absolute distinction between the living God and inert human creations. It systematically dismantles the very premise of idol worship by demonstrating the intrinsic powerlessness of these objects. Theologically, this verse reinforces monotheism, affirming that true power, agency, and the capacity for good and evil reside solely with Yahweh, the Creator and Sustainer of all things. It challenges any notion that human-made objects could possess divine attributes or exert influence over human destiny, thereby calling for exclusive devotion to the one true God. This passage serves as a timeless reminder that placing trust or fear in anything other than God is not only futile but also a profound misdirection of worship and allegiance.

* [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalms/115-4-7 "Psalm 115:4-7 - The Powerlessness of Idols")
* [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9-20 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - God Mocks Idol Worship")
* [Habakkuk 2:18-19](/habakkuk/2-18-19 "Habakkuk 2:18-19 - Idols are Lifeless")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world saturated with distractions and competing allegiances, Jeremiah 10:5 remains remarkably relevant. While few in modern society bow down to physical statues, the essence of idolatry persists in myriad forms. This verse compels us to critically examine what we truly rely on, what consumes our attention, and what we believe holds power over our lives. Any pursuit, possession, relationship, ideology, or even self-image that subtly or overtly displaces God from the center of our affections and trust can become a modern idol. The prophet's urgent call, "Be not afraid of them," challenges us to divest ourselves of the fear and anxiety associated with these false gods—whether they be financial security, social approval, career success, political movements, or personal achievements. It reminds us that only the living God possesses the power to truly act, to save, to guide, and to bring about genuine good. Therefore, our application is to cultivate a radical trust in God alone, recognizing that anything else we rely upon is ultimately powerless to provide lasting security, meaning, or salvation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" (whether tangible or intangible) might I be tempted to place my trust in today, and how do they fail to "speak" or "do good" in the way God does?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to be reminded, "Be not afraid of them," releasing fear of worldly powers or pressures and re-centering my awe on God?**
* **How does understanding the utter powerlessness of idols deepen my appreciation for the active, living, and omnipotent nature of the true God?**

### FAQ

**What does "upright as the palm tree" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "upright as the palm tree" refers to the physical appearance of the idols. It describes them as rigid, straight, and often tall, much like the trunk of a palm tree. This imagery emphasizes their static, fixed nature, highlighting that they are carved or molded objects, incapable of movement or independent action, in stark contrast to a living being or the dynamic, active God of Israel. It underscores their manufactured, lifeless quality.

**Why does Jeremiah emphasize that idols "cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good"?**

Answer: Jeremiah emphasizes this point to utterly dismantle any lingering belief in the idols' power. In ancient societies, people worshipped deities (and their idol representations) to either placate them and avoid harm (evil) or to gain favor and receive blessings (good). By stating that idols can do neither, Jeremiah strips them of any perceived influence over human affairs. This declaration serves as a powerful theological argument for the futility of idolatry, redirecting the people's attention to the one true God who alone possesses the power to act, judge, and bless, as seen throughout the book of [Jeremiah](/jeremiah "The Book of Jeremiah").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 10:5, in its stark portrayal of the impotence of idols, finds its ultimate fulfillment and counterpoint in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The idols are "upright as the palm tree, but speak not," yet Christ is the living Word of God, through whom all things were made and by whom the Father speaks (cf. [John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Became Flesh"), [Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1-3 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Has Spoken by His Son")). While idols "cannot go" and "must needs be borne," Jesus actively walked among humanity, journeying to the cross and rising from the tomb, demonstrating His dynamic power over sin and death (cf. [Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). Most profoundly, the idols "cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good." In contrast, Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us, actively conquering evil through His sacrifice, and is the very embodiment of goodness, the source of all true blessing and life (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"), [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus Gives Abundant Life")). He is not a static, man-made object, but the active, living Son of God, who alone has the power to save, redeem, and transform, making Him the sole worthy object of our faith and worship, freeing us from the fear of any lesser, powerless god (cf. [Colossians 2:8-10](/colossians/2-8-10 "Colossians 2:8-10 - Fulness in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 46:7

They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, [one] shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

1 Corinthians 12:2

Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

Psalms 115:5

They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:

Psalms 115:8

They that make them are like unto them; [so is] every one that trusteth in them.

Isaiah 41:23

Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye [are] gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold [it] together.

Isaiah 41:24

Behold, ye [are] of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination [is he that] chooseth you.

1 Corinthians 8:4

¶ As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] none other God but one.