Jeremiah 10:9

Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple [is] their clothing: they [are] all the work of cunning [men].

Silver {H3701} spread into plates {H7554} is brought {H935} from Tarshish {H8659}, and gold {H2091} from Uphaz {H210}, the work {H4639} of the workman {H2796}, and of the hands {H3027} of the founder {H6884}: blue {H8504} and purple {H713} is their clothing {H3830}: they are all the work {H4639} of cunning {H2450} men.

Silver is beaten into plates, then imported from Tarshish. Gold from Ufaz is worked by a craftsman and shaped by the hands of a goldsmith. They are clothed in blue and purple, all the work of skillful men.

Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz— the work of a craftsman from the hands of a goldsmith. Their clothes are blue and purple, all fashioned by skilled workers.

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.

Commentary

Jeremiah 10:9 is part of a powerful prophetic declaration contrasting the living God with the lifeless idols worshipped by surrounding nations and, tragically, by some in Israel. This verse specifically details the elaborate craftsmanship and expensive materials used in creating these false deities, underscoring their man-made origin.

Context

This verse is embedded within a broader passage (Jeremiah 10:1-16) where the prophet Jeremiah delivers a strong polemic against idolatry. He warns the people of Judah against adopting the customs of the heathen, particularly their reliance on astrological signs and the worship of manufactured gods. The preceding verses establish the vanity of such practices, setting the stage for a detailed description of how idols are made, highlighting their inherent weakness compared to the omnipotent Creator. The passage serves as a stark reminder of God's uniqueness and supremacy over all human inventions, a theme powerfully articulated in Jeremiah 10:10.

Key Themes

  • Futility of Idolatry: The primary message is that idols, despite their costly materials and skilled craftsmanship, are utterly powerless. They cannot speak, walk, or do any good or harm (Jeremiah 10:5).
  • Human Origin vs. Divine Creation: The verse repeatedly emphasizes that these gods are "the work of the workman," "the hands of the founder," and "the work of cunning men." This contrasts sharply with the true God, who is the Creator of the heavens and the earth.
  • Deception of Outward Appearance: The use of "silver spread into plates" from Tarshish, "gold from Uphaz," and "blue and purple" clothing signifies great expense and aesthetic appeal. Yet, this outward splendor merely masks an internal emptiness and spiritual void.

Linguistic Insights

The mention of "Tarshish" indicates a distant, wealthy source known for its silver, signifying the high value placed on the materials. "Uphaz" is less certain, possibly another name for Ophir or a region renowned for fine gold. The term "cunning men" refers to highly skilled artisans, emphasizing that even the greatest human ingenuity cannot imbue a lifeless object with divine power. The "blue and purple" dyes were extremely valuable in ancient times, often associated with royalty and divinity, further highlighting the significant investment in these false gods.

Practical Application

While modern society may not typically worship physical statues, the principle of Jeremiah 10:9 remains profoundly relevant. We are still prone to creating "idols" in our lives – things we invest our time, resources, and trust in, expecting them to provide security, happiness, or meaning that only God can truly offer. These can include wealth, career, relationships, reputation, or even self-reliance. This verse calls us to examine what we truly worship and to recognize that anything created by human hands or effort, no matter how appealing or valuable, is ultimately insufficient and powerless compared to the living God. It is a timeless call to put our faith in the one true God.

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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 115:4

    Their idols [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

  • Daniel 10:5

    Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins [were] girded with fine gold of Uphaz:

  • Isaiah 40:19

    The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.

  • 1 Kings 10:22

    For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.

  • Ezekiel 27:12

    Tarshish [was] thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all [kind of] riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded in thy fairs.
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