Jer 10:12-16 | Clarke

‏ Jeremiah 10:12-16

Verse 13. When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters] This is a plain allusion to a storm of thunder and lightning, and the abundance of rain which is the consequence. Water is composed of two gases, hydrogen and oxygen: the electric or galvanic spark decomposes them, and they become air; when recomposed, they form water. The lightning acts upon the hydrogen and oxygen, which are found In the atmospheric air: they are decomposed, and water or rain is the consequence; which, being heavier than the air falls down in the form of rain.

This verse and the three following are the same in substance, and nearly in words, as Jer 51:16, and following.

Verse 14. Every man is brutish] nibar, is a boor, acts as a brute, who may suppose that a stock of a tree, formed like a man, may be an intellectual being; and therefore shuns the form as though it had life. See Isa 44:10, 11. Of which verses, by the way, Dr. Blayney gives the following version to correct that of Bishop Lowth:-

Verse 10. Who hath formed a god?

Or set up a graven image that profiteth not?

11. Behold, all that are connected with it shall be

ashamed,

And the artificers, they above all men!

They shall assemble all of them; they shall stand

forth;

They shall fear; they shall be ashamed at the same

time.

"That is, while they stand before the image they have set up, and worship it with a religious dread, the glaring absurdity of their conduct shall lead to their shame and disgrace." With due deference to this learned man, I think this interpretation too refined.

Verse 16. The Portion of Jacob is not like them] Every nation had its tutelary god; this was its portion; in reference to this God says De 4:19, "He has divided the sun, moon, and stars, to all the nations under the heaven." And the Lord had taken the Israelites to be his portion; for "the Lord's portion is his people," De 32:9, and David says, "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance," Ps 16:5; 119:57. And hence Isaiah terms the smooth stones of the brook, to which Divine honours were paid, the portion of those idolaters, Isa 57:6. But in the text he says, "The PORTION, i.e., the God of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things," and they are formed by their foolish worshippers.