Chapter Overview
Summary
The true God vs. idols. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT CHAPTERS. LXX chapter 10 is much shorter than MT — the LXX omits vv. 6-8 and 10 entirely. The remaining verses also appear in a different order in some LXX manuscripts.
Notable Variants
LXX OMITS vv. 6-8 and 10 — four full verses praising YHWH's incomparability that are absent from the Greek. The LXX order is: 1-5, 9, 11 (in Aramaic), 12-16 (= 12-13, 14-16 in slightly different form). 4QJerb from Qumran CONFIRMS the shorter LXX reading, strongly suggesting the MT additions are later expansions. The omitted verses are hymnic praise material that may have been added to the MT to balance the idol-mockery section.
Structural Notes
LXX verse order: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. Verses 6, 7, 8, 10 are ABSENT. This is confirmed by 4QJerb (Qumran).
Hear the word that the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
This is what the LORD says: Do not learn the ways of the nations, and do not be terrified by signs in the sky, even though the nations are terrified by them.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
For the practices of the peoples are vapor — a tree is cut from the forest, shaped by the hands of a craftsman with a chisel.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
They overlay it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers so it will not topple.
Masoretic (WLC)
בְּכֶסֶף וּבְזָהָב יְיַפֵּהוּ
Septuagint (LXX)
ἀργυρίῳ καὶ χρυσίῳ κεκαλλωπισμένα ἐστίν
LXX reads similarly but with slight lexical variation.
They are like scarecrows in a cucumber patch — they cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them — they can do no harm, and they have no power to do good either.
Masoretic (WLC)
אַל־תִּירְאוּ מֵהֶם
Septuagint (LXX)
μὴ φοβεῖσθε αὐτά
LXX adds μὴ φοβεῖσθε αὐτά 'do not fear them' at the end, matching MT.
There is no one like you, LORD. You are great, and your name is great in power.
Masoretic (WLC)
מֵאֵין כָּמוֹךָ יְהוָה גָּדוֹל אַתָּה וְגָדוֹל שִׁמְךָ בִּגְבוּרָה
There is none like You, O LORD; You are great, and Your name is great in might.
Septuagint (LXX)
[absent from LXX]
[not present in LXX]
ENTIRELY ABSENT from LXX. This verse praising YHWH's incomparability is not found in the Greek tradition or in 4QJerb. It appears to be a later MT expansion, possibly drawn from liturgical usage. The hymnic style differs from the surrounding idol-polemic.
Who would not revere you, O King of the nations? For this is your due. Among all the wise of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you.
Masoretic (WLC)
מִי לֹא יִרָאֲךָ מֶלֶךְ הַגּוֹיִם כִּי לְךָ יָאָתָה כִּי בְכָל־חַכְמֵי הַגּוֹיִם וּבְכָל־מַלְכוּתָם מֵאֵין כָּמוֹךָ
Who would not fear You, O King of the nations? For it befits You; for among all the wise of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You.
Septuagint (LXX)
[absent from LXX]
[not present in LXX]
ENTIRELY ABSENT from LXX. Continues the hymnic praise absent from the shorter text. The phrase 'King of the nations' is unique to this passage in Jeremiah.
But they are all senseless and foolish — the instruction of idols is nothing but wood.
Masoretic (WLC)
וּבְאַחַת יִבְעֲרוּ וְיִכְסָלוּ מוּסַר הֲבָלִים עֵץ הוּא
But they are altogether brutish and foolish; the instruction of vanities — it is wood.
Septuagint (LXX)
[absent from LXX]
[not present in LXX]
ENTIRELY ABSENT from LXX. This verse mocking idols as mere wood is missing from the Greek. The shorter LXX text moves directly from the description of idols (v. 5) to v. 9.
Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish and gold from Uphaz — the work of a craftsman and the hands of a metalsmith. Their clothing is violet and purple. They are all the product of skilled workers.
Masoretic (WLC)
כֶּסֶף מְרֻקָּע מִתַּרְשִׁישׁ יוּבָא וְזָהָב מֵאוּפָז מַעֲשֵׂה חָרָשׁ וִידֵי צוֹרֵף
Septuagint (LXX)
ἀργύριον τορευτόν ἐστιν ἐκ Θαρσις ἥξει χρυσίον Μωφαζ
LXX places this verse immediately after v. 5, creating a tighter idol-description sequence. The content is substantially the same.
But the LORD is the true God. He is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth trembles, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.
Masoretic (WLC)
וַיהוָה אֱלֹהִים אֱמֶת הוּא־אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים וּמֶלֶךְ עוֹלָם מִקִּצְפּוֹ תִּרְעַשׁ הָאָרֶץ וְלֹא־יָכִלוּ גוֹיִם זַעְמוֹ
But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth trembles, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.
Septuagint (LXX)
[absent from LXX]
[not present in LXX]
ENTIRELY ABSENT from LXX. This major theological statement about YHWH as 'true God,' 'living God,' and 'everlasting King' is not in the Greek. Its absence from LXX and 4QJerb strongly suggests it is a later MT addition. This is one of the most theologically significant LXX omissions in Jeremiah.
This is what you shall say to them: The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth — they will perish from the earth and from under these heavens.
Masoretic (WLC)
כִּדְנָה תֵּאמְרוּן לְהוֹם אֱלָהַיָּא דִּי־שְׁמַיָּא וְאַרְקָא לָא עֲבַדוּ
Septuagint (LXX)
Οὕτως ἐρεῖτε αὐτοῖς Θεοί, οἳ τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν οὐκ ἐποίησαν
This verse is in ARAMAIC in both MT and LXX (the only Aramaic verse in Jeremiah). LXX preserves it, indicating it was in the common ancestor. Content is identical: the gods that did not make heaven and earth shall perish.
He made the earth by his power, established the world by his wisdom, and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar. He raises clouds from the ends of the earth, makes lightning for the rain, and brings out the wind from his storehouses.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Every person is senseless, devoid of knowledge. Every metalsmith is put to shame by his idol, for his cast image is a lie — there is no breath in them.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
They are vapor, a work of mockery. In the time of their punishment, they will perish.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
The Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the one who formed all things, and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance. The LORD of Hosts is his name.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Gather up your bundle from the ground, you who live under siege.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
For this is what the LORD says: At this time I am going to hurl out the inhabitants of the land, and I will bring distress upon them so that they will feel it.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Woe to me because of my wound! My injury is severe. But I said, This is my sickness, and I must bear it.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
My tent is destroyed and all my ropes are snapped. My children have gone from me — they are no more. There is no one left to pitch my tent or set up my curtains.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
For the shepherds have become senseless and have not sought the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Listen! A report is coming — a great upheaval from the land of the north — to make the cities of Judah a desolation, a haunt of jackals.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
I know, LORD, that a person's way is not his own — it is not for anyone to direct his own steps as he walks.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Discipline me, LORD — but with justice, not in your anger, or you will reduce me to nothing.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you and on the peoples that do not call on your name, for they have devoured Jacob — devoured him and consumed him and laid waste his homeland.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.