Jeremiah 10:8 Meaning and Explanation
“But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Idol-worshippers and idol-makers are deceived; their teaching spreads only emptiness.
The Context of Jeremiah 10:8
Those devoted to idols teach and spread futile doctrines.
What Does Jeremiah 10:8 Mean?
Jeremiah's verdict on those who craft and revere idols: they are brutish—lacking understanding—and foolish in their core reasoning. The Hebrew word 'stock' (עֵץ, etz) refers to wood, the material of idols, and by extension the idol-worship itself, which functions as doctrine passed down through generations.
This 'doctrine of vanities' is a teaching system built on nothing real. It spreads error throughout communities, convincing generation after generation to trust in powerless objects. The brutality of the deception lies in its systematic nature.
Jeremiah 10:8 in the Original Language
stock (עֵץ, etz) — wood; can refer to wooden idols or the idol-making process itself
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 10:8
What does Jeremiah 10:8 mean?
Idol-worshippers and idol-makers are deceived; their teaching spreads only emptiness.
What is the context of Jeremiah 10:8?
Those devoted to idols teach and spread futile doctrines.