Jeremiah 10:5 “Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They mu…”

Jeremiah 10:5

Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

World English Bible

They are like a palm tree, of turned work, and don’t speak. They must be carried, because they can’t move. Don’t be afraid of them; for they can’t do evil, neither is it in them to do good.”

American Standard Version

They are like a palm-tree, of turned work, and speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.

Geneva Bible 1599

The idoles stande vp as the palme tree, but speake not: they are borne because they cannot go feare them not, for they cannot do euill, neither can they do good.

Darby Translation

They are as a palm-column of turned work, and they speak not; they are carried, for they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

Young's Literal Translation

As a palm they [are] stiff, and they speak not, They are surely borne, for they step not, Be not afraid of them, for they do no evil, Yea, also to do good is not in them.

Bible in Basic English

It is like a pillar in a garden of plants, and has no voice: it has to be lifted, for it has no power of walking. Have no fear of it; for it has no power of doing evil and it is not able to do any good.

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Cross references

“speak”

1 Corinthians 12:2 Psalm 115:5–8 Psalm 135:16–18 Habakkuk 2:19 Revelation 13:14 Revelation 13:15

1 Corinthians 12:2 · BSB

You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

Psalm 115:5–8 · BSB

They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;

Psalm 135:16–18 · BSB

They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;

Habakkuk 2:19 · BSB

Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.”

Revelation 13:14 · BSB

Because of the signs it was given to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image to the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet had lived.

Revelation 13:15 · BSB

The second beast was permitted to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship it to be killed.

“be borne”

Isaiah 46:7 Isaiah 46:1

Isaiah 46:7 · BSB

They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.

Isaiah 46:1 · BSB

Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal.

“do evil”

1 Corinthians 8:4 Isaiah 45:20 Isaiah 41:23 Isaiah 41:24 Isaiah 44:9 Isaiah 44:10

1 Corinthians 8:4 · BSB

So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one.

Isaiah 45:20 · BSB

Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry idols of wood and pray to a god that cannot save.

Isaiah 41:23 · BSB

Tell us the things that are to come, so that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do something good or evil, that we may look on together in dismay.

Isaiah 41:24 · BSB

Behold, you are nothing and your work is of no value. Anyone who chooses you is detestable.

Isaiah 44:9 · BSB

All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame.

Isaiah 44:10 · BSB

Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing?

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

4They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter.

6There is none like You, O LORD. You are great, and Your name is mighty in power.

Read Jeremiah 10