Jeremiah 10:3 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Pagan idol-making begins with cutting a tree—vanity shaped by human hands.
The Context of Jeremiah 10:3
Jeremiah details how idols are physically made from forest wood.
What Does Jeremiah 10:3 Mean?
The passage begins describing the physical process of idol manufacture: a craftsman selects and fells a tree from the forest with an axe. This is the raw material for what pagans will treat as divine, yet it comes entirely from nature and human labor.
By starting with the mundane act of tree-cutting, the text emphasizes that idols are human creations from the ground up. Their 'power' is not inherent but assigned by worshippers who have been deceived about what they're actually venerating.
Jeremiah 10:3 in the Original Language
vanity (הֶבֶל, hebel) — emptiness, what has no substance or lasting value
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 10:3
What does Jeremiah 10:3 mean?
Pagan idol-making begins with cutting a tree—vanity shaped by human hands.
What is the context of Jeremiah 10:3?
Jeremiah details how idols are physically made from forest wood.