King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 10:13 Mean?

Jeremiah 10:13 in the King James Version says “When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. multitude: or, noise with: or, for”

Jeremiah 10:13 · KJV

Context

11

Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.

12

He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

13

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. multitude: or, noise with: or, for

14

Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. brutish in his knowledge: or, more brutish than to know

15

They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

Read Jeremiah 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse describes YHWH's ongoing control of nature: 'When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens.' The Hebrew hamon mayim (הֲמוֹן מַיִם) describes the roaring sound of storm waters. God's 'voice' (qol) produces thunderstorms and rainfall. 'And he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth.' The water cycle—evaporation from seas—was observed if not fully understood. 'He maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.' Lightning accompanies rain; wind emerges from divine 'treasuries' (otsarot)—storehouses under divine control. Every meteorological phenomenon demonstrates YHWH's active sovereignty over creation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Baal, the Canaanite storm god, was credited with rain and fertility. This verse claims those functions for YHWH exclusively. The 'treasures' or storehouses of wind (also Job 38:22, Psalm 135:7) imagine atmospheric forces as divine resources deployed at God's discretion. This meteorological theology undercuts both Baalism and Babylonian astral religion.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does attributing weather to God's voice and treasuries express ongoing divine sovereignty?
  2. What does this verse's nature theology suggest about finding God's work in natural phenomena?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
לְק֨וֹל1 of 15

“his voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

תִּתּ֜וֹ2 of 15

“When he uttereth”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

הֲמ֥וֹן3 of 15

“there is a multitude”

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

מַ֙יִם֙4 of 15

“of waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

בַּשָּׁמַ֔יִם5 of 15

“in the heavens”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וַיַּעֲלֶ֥ה6 of 15

“to ascend”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

נְשִׂאִ֖ים7 of 15

“and he causeth the vapours”

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

מִקְצֵ֣ה8 of 15

“from the ends”

H7097

an extremity

אָ֑רֶץ9 of 15

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בְּרָקִ֤ים10 of 15

“lightnings”

H1300

lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword

לַמָּטָר֙11 of 15

“with rain”

H4306

rain

עָשָׂ֔ה12 of 15

“he maketh”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וַיּ֥וֹצֵא13 of 15

“and bringeth forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

ר֖וּחַ14 of 15

“the wind”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

מֵאֹצְרֹתָֽיו׃15 of 15

“out of his treasures”

H214

a depository

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 10:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 10:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 135:7Job 38:22Psalms 18:13Job 38:34-35Psalms 29:3-10Psalms 68:33

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