King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 10:3 Mean?

Jeremiah 10:3 in the King James Version says “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, ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. customs: Heb. statutes, or, ordinances are vanity”

Jeremiah 10:3 · KJV

Context

1

Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

2

Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

3

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. customs: Heb. statutes, or, ordinances are vanity

4

They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

5

They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse exposes idol manufacture: 'For the customs of the people are vain.' The Hebrew chuqqoth (חֻקּוֹת, statutes, customs) with hevel (הֶבֶל, vanity, breath, nothing) declares religious practices worthless. 'For one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.' The idol begins as a tree—created thing—cut down by human labor (charash, חָרָשׁ, craftsman) using human tools (ma'atsad, מַעֲצָד, axe). The manufacturing process is mundane, ordinary, entirely human. What emerges is 'work of hands'—human product, not divine being. The polemic reduces impressive idols to their origin: firewood shaped by workers.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage parallels Isaiah 44:9-20's extended satire on idol making. Archaeological discoveries of ancient workshops reveal the idol manufacturing process: wooden cores overlaid with metal, stone carvings, clay moldings. The craftsmen who made these objects knew they were creating statues, yet somehow their products became objects of worship. The prophets expose this absurdity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does tracing an idol's origin to a tree cut from the forest expose idolatry's absurdity?
  2. What modern 'gods' are similarly human creations that we elevate to objects of devotion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
כִּֽי1 of 13
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

חֻקּ֥וֹת2 of 13

“For the customs”

H2708

a statute

הָֽעַמִּ֖ים3 of 13

“of the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הֶ֣בֶל4 of 13

“are vain”

H1892

emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb

ה֑וּא5 of 13
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

כִּֽי6 of 13
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עֵץ֙7 of 13

“a tree”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

מִיַּ֣עַר8 of 13

“out of the forest”

H3293

a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)

כְּרָת֔וֹ9 of 13

“for one cutteth”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה10 of 13

“the work”

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

יְדֵ֥י11 of 13

“of the hands”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

חָרָ֖שׁ12 of 13

“of the workman”

H2796

a fabricator or any material

בַּֽמַּעֲצָֽד׃13 of 13

“with the axe”

H4621

an axe

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 10:3 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 10:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 44:9-201 Peter 1:18Leviticus 18:30Jeremiah 10:8Romans 1:21Matthew 6:7

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