The Meaning of Jeremiah 10:7 Explained

Jeremiah 10:7

KJV: 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.

YLT: Who doth not fear Thee, king of the nations? For to Thee it is becoming, For among all the wise of the nations, And in all their kingdom there is none like Thee.

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

ASV: Who should not fear thee, O King of the nations? for to thee doth it appertain; forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their royal estate, there is none like unto thee.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Jeremiah 10:7 Mean?

Verse Meaning

People naturally fear Him (cf. Jeremiah 10:5) because He is the sovereign over all nations. Most of the ancients believed that idols only had authority over certain geographical territories. Yahweh is also wiser than any wise men anywhere.

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 10:7 mean?

Who not would fear You King of the nations for this is Your rightful due among all the wise [men] of the nations and in all their kingdoms [There is] none like You
מִ֣י לֹ֤א יִֽרָאֲךָ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ ؟ הַגּוֹיִ֔ם כִּ֥י לְךָ֖ ! יָאָ֑תָה בְכָל־ חַכְמֵ֧י הַגּוֹיִ֛ם וּבְכָל־ מַלְכוּתָ֖ם מֵאֵ֥ין כָּמֽוֹךָ

יִֽרָאֲךָ֙  would  fear  You 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular, second person masculine singular
Root: יָרֵא 
Sense: to fear, revere, be afraid.
מֶ֣לֶךְ  King 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מֶלֶךְ 
Sense: king.
؟ הַגּוֹיִ֔ם  of  the  nations 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: גֹּוי 
Sense: nation, people.
לְךָ֖  this  is  Your 
Parse: Preposition, second person masculine singular
! יָאָ֑תָה  rightful  due 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person feminine singular
Root: יָאָה  
Sense: (Qal) to pertain to, befit, be befitting.
בְכָל־  among  all 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
חַכְמֵ֧י  the  wise  [men] 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural construct
Root: חָכָם  
Sense: wise, wise (man).
הַגּוֹיִ֛ם  of  the  nations 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: גֹּוי 
Sense: nation, people.
וּבְכָל־  and  in  all 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
מַלְכוּתָ֖ם  their  kingdoms 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: מַלְכוּת  
Sense: royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom, sovereign power.
מֵאֵ֥ין  [There  is]  none 
Parse: Preposition-m, Adverb
Root: אַיִן 
Sense: nothing, not, nought n.
כָּמֽוֹךָ  like  You 
Parse: Preposition, second person masculine singular
Root: כְּמֹו  
Sense: like, as, the like of which conj.