Jeremiah 10:9 Meaning and Explanation
“Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Idols are decorated with imported precious metals and fine fabrics—yet entirely human-made.
The Context of Jeremiah 10:9
Idols are decorated with precious materials imported from distant lands.
What Does Jeremiah 10:9 Mean?
The passage names specific sources of luxury materials: silver flattened into plates comes from the distant land of Tarshish, gold from Uphaz. The labor is also international in scope—skilled craftsmen ('cunning men') apply fine blue and purple fabrics as clothing. Every element suggests wealth, sophistication, and international trade.
Yet this catalog of materials and craft only reinforces the fundamental point: every component is human in origin and human in making. No matter how elaborate, expensive, or beautifully crafted, an idol remains entirely the product of human hands. Luxury cannot confer divinity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 10:9
What does Jeremiah 10:9 mean?
Idols are decorated with imported precious metals and fine fabrics—yet entirely human-made.
What is the context of Jeremiah 10:9?
Idols are decorated with precious materials imported from distant lands.