Jeremia 10:5

Lutherbibel

Es sind ja nichts als überzogene Säulen. Sie können nicht reden; so muß man sie auch tragen, denn sie können nicht gehen. Darum sollt ihr euch nicht vor ihnen fürchten: denn sie können weder helfen noch Schaden tun.

Parallel Translations

Schlachter Bibel (1951)
Gedrechselten Palmbäumen gleich sind solche [Götzen]; sie können nicht reden; man muß sie tragen, denn sie können nicht gehen. Fürchtet euch nicht vor ihnen, denn sie können nicht schaden, und Gutes zu tun steht nicht in ihrer Macht.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

speak: Psalms 115:5-8, Psalms 135:16-18, Habakkuk 2:19, 1 Corinthians 12:2, Revelation 13:14, Revelation 13:15

be borne: Isaiah 46:1, Isaiah 46:7

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

Reciprocal: Judges 6:31 - if he be 1 Kings 18:26 - no voice 2 Kings 17:7 - and had feared 2 Kings 17:35 - fear other gods 2 Chronicles 28:23 - sacrifice to them Song of Solomon 7:7 - thy stature Isaiah 16:12 - but Jeremiah 16:19 - wherein Zephaniah 1:12 - The Lord

Gill's Notes on the Bible

They are upright as the palm tree,.... Being nailed to a post, or fastened to a pillar, or set upon a pedestal, and so stand erect without bending any way; and are like a palm tree, which is noted for its uprightness; hence the church's stature is compared to it, Song of Solomon 7:7, here it is a sarcasm, and a bitter one:

but speak not; man, that is of an erect stature, in which he differs from other creatures, has the faculty of speech, which they that go upon four feet have not; but the idols of the Gentiles, though erect, have not the power of speaking a word; and therefore can give no answer to their worshippers; see Psalms 115:5,

they must needs be borne: or, "in carrying be carried" q; when being made they are fixed in the designed place, or are moved from place to place; they are then carried in men's arms, or on their shoulders:

because they cannot go; they have no life, and so are incapable of motion of themselves; they have feet, but walk not; and cannot arise and bestir themselves for the help of those that pray unto them,

Psalms 115:7,

be not afraid of them, for they cannot do evil; that is, inflict judgment, cause drought, famine, or pestilence, or any other evil or calamity:

neither is it also in them to do good; to give rains and fruitful seasons, or bestow any favour, temporal or spiritual; see Jeremiah 14:21.

q נשוא ינשוא "portando portantur", Schmidt; "portabitur" Pagninus; "portabuntur", Montanus; "omnino portanda sunt", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

They are upright ... - Rather, “They are like a palm tree of turned work, i. e.” like one of those stiff inelegant pillars, something like a palm tree, which may be seen in oriental architecture. Some translate thus: “They are like pillar’s in a garden of cucumbers, i. e.” like the blocks set up to frighten away the birds; but none of the ancient versions support this rendering.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Jeremiah 10:5. They are upright as the palm tree — As straight and as stiff as the trees out of which they are hewn.