King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 10:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 10:9 in the King James Version says “Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of th... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.

Jeremiah 10:9 · KJV


Context

7

Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee. to: or, it liketh thee

8

But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities. altogether: Heb. in one, or, at once

9

Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.

10

But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. true: Heb. God of truth everlasting: Heb. king of eternity

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse describes idol materials: 'Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz.' Tarshish, likely in Spain, was renowned for silver trade; Uphaz may be a variant of Ophir, famous for gold. The finest materials from distant sources—yet still just metal. 'The work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder.' charash (חָרָשׁ, craftsman) and tsaraph (צָרָף, metalworker, refiner) are human artisans. 'Blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.' Expensive dyes (blue from tekhelet, purple from argaman) dress the statues in royal colors—yet underneath is dead material. Every element is human product: imported metals, skilled craftsmen, expensive dyes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Tarshish (possibly Tartessos in Spain) traded silver throughout the Mediterranean. Ophir's location is debated—possibly East Africa, Arabia, or India—but it was legendary for gold (1 Kings 9:28, 10:11). Blue and purple dyes were extraordinarily expensive, extracted from murex snails. The finest materials from around the known world, combined by the most skilled craftsmen—yet still producing lifeless objects. The contrast with YHWH, who creates by speaking, is absolute.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does listing the finest materials and craftsmen intensify rather than diminish the critique of idolatry?
  2. What does investing the best resources in creating lifeless objects reveal about human religious impulses?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
כֶּ֣סֶף1 of 16

Silver

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

מְרֻקָּ֞ע2 of 16

spread into plates

H7554

to pound the earth (as a sign of passion); by analogy to expand (by hammering); by implication, to overlay (with thin sheets of metal)

מִתַּרְשִׁ֣ישׁ3 of 16

from Tarshish

H8659

tarshish, a place on the mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a persian and of an i

יוּבָ֗א4 of 16

is brought

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וְזָהָב֙5 of 16

and gold

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

מֵֽאוּפָ֔ז6 of 16

from Uphaz

H210

uphaz, a famous gold region

מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה7 of 16

the work

H4639

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

חָרָ֖שׁ8 of 16

of the workman

H2796

a fabricator or any material

וִידֵ֣י9 of 16

and 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

צוֹרֵ֑ף10 of 16

of the founder

H6884

to fuse (metal), i.e., refine (literally or figuratively)

תְּכֵ֤לֶת11 of 16

blue

H8504

the cerulean mussel, i.e., the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith

וְאַרְגָּמָן֙12 of 16

and purple

H713

purple (the color or the dyed stuff)

לְבוּשָׁ֔ם13 of 16

is their clothing

H3830

a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife

מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה14 of 16

the work

H4639

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

חֲכָמִ֖ים15 of 16

of cunning

H2450

wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)

כֻּלָּֽם׃16 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)


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 10:9 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 10:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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