The Meaning of Jeremiah 10:3 Explained

Jeremiah 10:3

KJV: 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.

YLT: For the statutes of the peoples are vanity, For a tree from a forest hath one cut, Work of the hands of an artificer, with an axe,

Darby: For the statutes of the peoples are vanity; for it is a tree cut out of the forest, worked with a chisel by the hands of the artizan;

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Jeremiah 10:3 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The worship of the Gentiles was an empty delusion. They worshipped only wood, cut from the forest, that a craftsman shaped with a tool. These gods were no more than pieces of wood.

Context Summary

Jeremiah 10:1-10 - The Folly Of Idolatry
Jeremiah 10:1-10
We are here introduced into an idol-factory. Contrasted with the manufactured idols is the majesty of our God. There is none like Him. His name is great in might; He is the King of the nations, the true and living God, and the everlasting King! Christian, fear not or be dismayed when enemies plot against you. It is a vain device that they frame. To hide in God is a sure defence from all that man can do for our hurt. O thou true and living Savior, in thy wounds harried and faithful souls become strong and brave again.
Jeremiah 10:19-25
The prophet now bids the people prepare for their captivity. Their city would be as when a shepherd removed his slight and insubstantial tent, leaving no trace. But Jeremiah's soul is lacerated and torn with the message he must needs announce. Are we called to be shepherds? Let us see to it that we seek the Lord; so only shall our flocks not be scattered, Jeremiah 10:21. Are we in perplexity as to our path in life? It is not for us to direct ourselves, but to look up for God's sure guidance, which will be given to the soul that waits for it, Jeremiah 10:23. Are we being corrected? Let us be patient; it is only when we endure without complaining that our trial works out the highest good, and God will not give us more than we can bear, Jeremiah 10:24. [source]

Chapter Summary: Jeremiah 10

1  The unequal comparison of God and idols
17  The prophet exhorts to flee from the calamity to come
19  He laments the spoil of the tabernacle by foolish pastors
23  He makes an humble supplication

What do the individual words in Jeremiah 10:3 mean?

For the customs of the peoples futile are a tree from the forest [one] cuts the work of the hands of the workman with the ax
כִּֽי־ חֻקּ֥וֹת הָֽעַמִּ֖ים הֶ֣בֶל ה֑וּא עֵץ֙ מִיַּ֣עַר כְּרָת֔וֹ מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יְדֵ֥י־ חָרָ֖שׁ בַּֽמַּעֲצָֽד

חֻקּ֥וֹת  the  customs 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct
Root: חֻקָּה  
Sense: statute, ordinance, limit, enactment, something prescribed.
הָֽעַמִּ֖ים  of  the  peoples 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
הֶ֣בֶל  futile 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: הֶבֶל  
Sense: vapour, breath.
עֵץ֙  a  tree 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֵץ  
Sense: tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows.
מִיַּ֣עַר  from  the  forest 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular
Root: יַעַר 
Sense: forest, wood, thicket, wooded height.
כְּרָת֔וֹ  [one]  cuts 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: כָּרַת  
Sense: to cut, cut off, cut down, cut off a body part, cut out, eliminate, kill, cut a covenant.
מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה  the  work 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מַעֲשֶׂה  
Sense: deed, work.
יְדֵ֥י־  of  the  hands 
Parse: Noun, fdc
Root: יָד  
Sense: hand.
חָרָ֖שׁ  of  the  workman 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חֶרֶשׁ 
Sense: craftsman, artisan, engraver, graver, artificer.
בַּֽמַּעֲצָֽד  with  the  ax 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מַעֲצָד  
Sense: axe.