The Meaning of Jeremiah 10:4 Explained

Jeremiah 10:4

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

YLT: With silver and with gold they beautify it, With nails and with hammers they fix it, And it doth not stumble.

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

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Jeremiah 10:4 Mean?

Verse Meaning

They decorated their idols with precious metal and nailed them in place so they would not fall over. How ridiculous it is to worship something that cannot even keep itself upright, much less its devotees!

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 10:4 mean?

With silver and gold they decorate it with nails and hammers they fasten it so that not it will topple
בְּכֶ֥סֶף וּבְזָהָ֖ב יְיַפֵּ֑הוּ בְּמַסְמְר֧וֹת וּבְמַקָּב֛וֹת יְחַזְּק֖וּם וְל֥וֹא יָפִֽיק

בְּכֶ֥סֶף  With  silver 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular
Root: כֶּסֶף  
Sense: silver, money.
וּבְזָהָ֖ב  and  gold 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular
Root: זָהָב  
Sense: gold.
יְיַפֵּ֑הוּ  they  decorate  it 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: יָפָה  
Sense: to be bright, be beautiful, be handsome, be fair.
בְּמַסְמְר֧וֹת  with  nails 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine plural
Root: מַסְמֵר  
Sense: nail.
וּבְמַקָּב֛וֹת  and  hammers 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Noun, feminine plural
Root: מַקֶּבֶת  
Sense: hammer.
יְחַזְּק֖וּם  they  fasten  it 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, third person masculine plural, third person masculine plural
Root: חָזַק  
Sense: to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore.
וְל֥וֹא  so  that  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יָפִֽיק  it  will  topple 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: פּוּק  
Sense: to reel, totter, stumble.