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Jeremiah 10:13

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When he uttereth his voice, [there is] a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

When he uttereth {H5414} his voice {H6963}, there is a multitude {H1995} of waters {H4325} in the heavens {H8064}, and he causeth the vapours {H5387} to ascend {H5927} from the ends {H7097} of the earth {H776}; he maketh {H6213} lightnings {H1300} with rain {H4306}, and bringeth forth {H3318} the wind {H7307} out of his treasures {H214}.

When he thunders, the waters in heaven roar, he raises clouds from the ends of the earth, he makes the lightning flash in the rain and brings the wind out from his storehouses.

When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses.

When he uttereth his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries.

Commentary

Jeremiah 10:13 is a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and control over the natural world, standing in stark contrast to the lifeless idols described earlier in the chapter. This verse paints a vivid picture of the Almighty's power, showcasing Him as the ultimate orchestrator of creation.

Context

This verse is found within a powerful polemic against idolatry in Jeremiah Chapter 10. The prophet Jeremiah, ministering to the kingdom of Judah just before its exile, confronts the people's tendency to adopt the worship practices of surrounding nations. While verses 1-12 mock the futility of crafting gods from wood and silver—idols that cannot speak, walk, or help—verse 13 pivots to present the living, active God of Israel. It serves as a climactic contrast, demonstrating that the true God is not a static carving but the dynamic Creator and Sustainer of the universe, whose power is evident in every aspect of nature.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence: The verse unequivocally asserts God's supreme authority over all creation. He commands the weather, controls the hydrological cycle, and stores the very winds. This highlights His boundless power.
  • The Creator God: It emphasizes God as the sole architect and active manager of the natural world. Unlike man-made gods, He brings forth life-sustaining rain, powerful lightning, and vital winds, demonstrating His life-giving and sustaining power.
  • Contrast with Idolatry: The vivid description of God's cosmic power directly challenges the impotence of idols. While false gods are "a work of errors" (Jeremiah 10:15) and cannot even move, the God of Israel commands the very forces of nature.
  • God's Voice and Word: "When he uttereth his voice" signifies that God's powerful word is the catalyst for these cosmic events, aligning with the biblical theme that creation itself came into being by God's spoken command (Genesis 1:3).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "uttereth his voice" (Hebrew: qolō) often implies a powerful, authoritative sound, akin to thunder, signifying God's majestic and irresistible decree. The term "treasures" (Hebrew: ʾotsarot) refers to storehouses or treasuries, suggesting that God has vast reserves of natural forces at His disposal, dispensing them as He wills. This imagery reinforces the idea of His complete control and ownership over the elements.

Related Scriptures

This verse finds strong parallels in other Old Testament passages that extol God's control over nature. For instance, Psalm 135:7 echoes almost the exact same language regarding God causing vapours to ascend, making lightning, and bringing forth wind. Similarly, the power of God's voice is a recurring theme in Psalm 29, where His voice is described as breaking cedars and shaking the wilderness. The contrast with idols is a central theme in Psalm 115:4-7 and Isaiah 44:9-20.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 10:13 serves as a timeless reminder to humanity about where true power and authority reside. In an age where we often place our trust in human ingenuity, technology, or material wealth, this verse calls us to:

  • Revere the Creator: It inspires awe and worship for a God who holds the very forces of nature in His hands. Our response should be one of humility and reverence.
  • Trust in God's Providence: Even in the midst of natural disasters or chaotic world events, this verse assures us that nothing is outside God's control. We can find peace knowing He is sovereign.
  • Avoid Modern Idolatry: While physical idols may be less common today, anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives—money, career, power, self—can become an idol. This verse challenges us to worship only the living God.
  • Reflect on God's Wisdom: The intricate hydrological cycle and the precise balance of weather phenomena point to an intelligent designer, inviting us to marvel at God's wisdom in creation.

Ultimately, Jeremiah 10:13 encourages us to recognize God's unparalleled greatness and to place our faith and trust in Him alone, the One who truly governs all things.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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 135:7 (5 votes)

    He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.

  • Job 38:22 (4 votes)

    Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,

  • Psalms 18:13 (3 votes)

    The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail [stones] and coals of fire.

  • Job 38:34 (3 votes)

    Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?

  • Job 38:35 (3 votes)

    Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we [are]?

  • Psalms 147:8 (2 votes)

    Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

  • Exodus 9:23 (2 votes)

    And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt.