The Meaning of Jeremiah 10:2 Explained

Jeremiah 10:2

KJV: 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.

YLT: Thus said Jehovah: Unto the way of the nations accustom not yourselves, And by the signs of the heavens be not affrighted, For the nations are affrighted by them.

Darby: Thus saith Jehovah: Learn not the way of the nations, and be not dismayed at the signs of the heavens; for the nations are dismayed at them.

ASV: thus saith Jehovah, Learn not the way of the nations, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the nations are dismayed at them.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Jeremiah 10:2 Mean?

Verse Meaning

He warned his people not to be disciples of the Gentile nations, specifically not to let the celestial phenomena-that the nations looked to for guidance-frighten them. The nations regarded abnormalities in the heavens as divine signs, and held them in awe, particularly unusual phenomena such as comets, meteors, and eclipses. But it was Yahweh who controlled these things (cf. Genesis 1:14; Habakkuk 3:4; Habakkuk 3:11).

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 10:2 mean?

Thus says Yahweh to the way of the Gentiles not do learn and at the signs of heaven do be dismayed for are dismayed the Gentiles at them
כֹּ֣ה ׀ אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֗ה אֶל־ דֶּ֤רֶךְ הַגּוֹיִם֙ אַל־ תִּלְמָ֔דוּ וּמֵאֹת֥וֹת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם תֵּחָ֑תּוּ כִּֽי־ יֵחַ֥תּוּ הַגּוֹיִ֖ם מֵהֵֽמָּה

כֹּ֣ה ׀  Thus 
Parse: Adverb
Root: כֹּה  
Sense: thus, here, in this manner.
אָמַ֣ר  says 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
יְהוָ֗ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
דֶּ֤רֶךְ  the  way 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct
Root: דֶּרֶךְ  
Sense: way, road, distance, journey, manner.
הַגּוֹיִם֙  of  the  Gentiles 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: גֹּוי 
Sense: nation, people.
תִּלְמָ֔דוּ  do  learn 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: לָמַד  
Sense: to learn. teach, exercise in.
וּמֵאֹת֥וֹת  and  at  the  signs 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m, Noun, common plural construct
Root: אֹות  
Sense: sign, signal.
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם  of  heaven 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: שָׁמַיִם  
Sense: heaven, heavens, sky.
תֵּחָ֑תּוּ  do  be  dismayed 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: חָתַת  
Sense: to be shattered, be dismayed, be broken, be abolished, be afraid.
יֵחַ֥תּוּ  are  dismayed 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: חָתַת  
Sense: to be shattered, be dismayed, be broken, be abolished, be afraid.
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם  the  Gentiles 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: גֹּוי 
Sense: nation, people.
מֵהֵֽמָּה  at  them 
Parse: Preposition-m, Pronoun, third person masculine plural
Root: הֵם 
Sense: they, these, the same, who.