New Living Translation
Jeremiah 10:2
2This is what the Lord says: “Do not act like the other nations, who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them.
Jeremiah 10:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
- New International Version (NIV)This is what the Lord says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Thus says the Lord: "Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them,
- New King James Version (NKJV)Thus says the Lord: “Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.
Context of Jeremiah 10:2
1Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O Israel! This is what the Lord says: “Do not act like the other nations, who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them. 3Their ways are futile and foolish. They cut down a tree, and a craftsman carves an idol. 4They decorate it with gold and silver and then fasten it securely with hammer and nails so it won’t fall over.
Read all of Jeremiah 10Jeremiah 10:2 word by word
כֹּ֣ה׀ אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֗ה אֶל־דֶּ֤רֶךְ הַגּוֹיִם֙ אַל־תִּלְמָ֔דוּ וּמֵאֹת֥וֹת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם אַל־תֵּחָ֑תּוּ כִּֽי־יֵחַ֥תּוּ הַגּוֹיִ֖ם מֵהֵֽמָּה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Thus saithאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- Learnלָמַדlâmad · to learn: learnH3925
- not the wayדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: conductH1870
- of the heathenגּוֹיgôy gôy · nationH1471
- and be not dismayedחָתַתchâthath · to to be dismayedH2865
- at the signsאוֹת'ôth · sign: miraculousH226
- of heavenשָׁמַיִםshâmayim shâmeh · heavenH8064
- at themהֵ֫מָּהhêm hêmmâh · they(masc.)H1992
Cross-references for Jeremiah 10:2
- Leviticus 18:3So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life.
- Leviticus 20:23Do not live according to the customs of the people I am driving out before you. It is because they do these shameful things that I detest them.
- Deuteronomy 12:30do not fall into the trap of following their customs and worshiping their gods. Do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations worship their gods? I want to follow their example.’
- Ezekiel 20:32“You say, ‘We want to be like the nations all around us, who serve idols of wood and stone.’ But what you have in mind will never happen.
- Isaiah 47:12“Now use your magical charms! Use the spells you have worked at all these years! Maybe they will do you some good. Maybe they can make someone afraid of you.
- Luke 21:25“And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides.
Commentaries on Jeremiah 10:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Learn not the way of the heathen - These words are more particularly addressed to the ten tribes scattered among the heathen by the Assyrians, who carried them away captive; they may also regard those in the land of Israel who still had the customs of the former heathen settlers before their eyes. Be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed - The Chaldeans and Egyptians were notoriously addicated to astrology; and the Israelites…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Signs of heaven - Extraordinary appearances, such as eclipses, comets, and the like, which seemed to the pagan to portend national calamities. To attribute importance to them is to walk in pagan ways.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2The Lord instructed Israel, especially Judah, to behave differently from other nations. He warned them to avoid people like astrologers who claim to predict the future using stars.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. Eichorn thinks the reference here to be to some celestial portent which had appeared at that time, causing the Jews' dismay. Probably the reference is general, namely, to the Chaldeans, famed as astrologers, through contact with whom the Jews were likely to fall into the same superstition. way--the precepts or ordinances (Le 18:3; Ac 9:2). signs of heaven--The Gentiles did not acknowledge a Great First Cause: many thought events depended on the power…Read the comment
Topics related to Jeremiah 10:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Jeremiah 10
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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