Old Testament
Jeremiah 10:8
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
But they are completely senseless and foolish: the wood is a teaching of worthless things.
Compare translations
But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
What Jeremiah 10:8 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Jeremiah 10:8, the prophet criticizes the foolishness of idol worship. He points out that those who create and worship idols are senseless and lack understanding. The 'wood' refers to the materials used to make idols, which are ultimately worthless and cannot provide true guidance or wisdom. This verse emphasizes the emptiness of relying on man-made objects for spiritual truth. Instead of seeking wisdom from God, people turn to these lifeless creations, which cannot teach or help them. The passage serves as a warning against placing trust in anything other than the true God, who is alive and capable of providing real insight and direction in life. It highlights the contrast between the living God and the dead idols that people often choose to follow, urging them to recognize the futility of their choices and turn back to genuine faith.
How to apply Jeremiah 10:8 to your life
This verse encourages us to examine what we place our trust in. Are we relying on material possessions or worldly wisdom instead of seeking guidance from God? We should prioritize our relationship with God and seek His wisdom in our lives, avoiding the distractions of false teachings.
Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Daniel's story: Faithful at the King's Table (Daniel 1:1–21)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Daniel
Photo: Bukvoed, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0. Source. Location: Burj Beitin, Beitin, Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethel
Where Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven and met God.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Jeremiah 10:8
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Jeremiah 10:8
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Jeremiah
- Author
- Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
- Written
- Around 600 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah before and during the Babylonian exile
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Jeremiah 10:8 mean?
Jeremiah 10:8 criticizes idol worship, stating that those who create and worship idols are foolish and lack understanding. The verse highlights the worthlessness of relying on man-made objects for spiritual guidance.
What is the meaning of 'senseless and foolish' in Jeremiah 10:8?
In Jeremiah 10:8, 'senseless and foolish' refers to the lack of wisdom and understanding in those who worship idols. It emphasizes that turning to lifeless creations for guidance is a misguided choice.
How does Jeremiah 10:8 relate to idolatry?
Jeremiah 10:8 directly critiques idolatry by showing that those who worship idols are engaging in a senseless practice. It underscores the emptiness of seeking spiritual truth from man-made objects.
What lesson can we learn from Jeremiah 10:8?
The lesson from Jeremiah 10:8 is to evaluate what we trust for guidance in life. It encourages prioritizing a relationship with God over reliance on material possessions or false teachings.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.