I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jeremiah 10:23
What does Jeremiah 10:23 mean?
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Jeremiah 10:23
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The verse powerfully highlights that even our most deliberate actions, the very "steps" we take, aren't truly ours to control. It's a humble reminder that our path isn't solely determined by our own plans or capabilities, but is ultimately guided by a divine hand we cannot always see.
I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse appears in the midst of Jeremiah's lament and prayer for his people. After condemning the people for their foolish idolatry and reliance on their own plans, Jeremiah turns directly to God. He acknowledges that the nation's fate, and indeed every person's path, is ultimately not in human hands but under divine sovereignty, especially in the face of impending judgment.
Ever feel like your best-laid plans keep going sideways? Jeremiah reminds us that human direction is not the ultimate authority.
Jeremiah, facing the terrifying approach of Babylonian conquerors, turns to God with a profound confession. He declares, 'I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself.' This isn't just a statement about the helplessness of the average person; it's a bold acknowledgment that even the grandest human endeavors, the most strategic marches, and the most confident steps are ultimately under God's sovereign control.
Think about it: Nebuchadnezzar, a formidable world leader, believed he was charting his own course to conquest. But Jeremiah recognizes a deeper truth – that the 'way' of this powerful ruler, like everyone else's, is not ultimately his own. God's providence guides the trajectory of nations and individuals, whether they acknowledge it or not.
This means our own plans, our own 'steps,' are not entirely self-directed. We might plot our course with all our wisdom and strength, but the final direction and outcome rest with the One who holds all authority.
When human efforts fail, where does true wisdom lie? Jeremiah's prayer shows us the vital importance of turning to God.
Jeremiah had been speaking truth to the people of Judah, warning them of impending judgment. Yet, his words seemed to fall on deaf ears. Frustrated and seeing the futility of addressing a people set on their own path, Jeremiah shifts his focus.
He turns from the stubbornness of humankind to the absolute sovereignty of God. This is a pivotal moment. Instead of lamenting the people's inability to direct their own steps wisely, he confesses God's ultimate authority over all human direction. This shift isn't an act of giving up on people, but a redirection of faith towards the only One who can truly bring about change and order.
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This teaches us a powerful lesson for our own ministries, relationships, and personal struggles: when human efforts prove insufficient, our ultimate recourse is prayer and reliance on God's power. He is the source of all true direction.
Understand the original words
derek · Hebrew Noun
The path, course, or manner of life that an individual follows; it often represents the moral or existential direction one takes in life, which requires God’s sovereign guidance.
Jeremiah's profound confession that human plans are not their own arises from the devastating reality of Judah's exile, a direct consequence of their persistent disobedience and failed human strategies.
c. 627 BC
Jeremiah's Call to Prophesy
Jeremiah is called by God to prophesy to Judah, beginning a ministry that would span decades and witness the nation's final collapse.
609 BC
Death of King Josiah
Josiah, a righteous king who sought to reform Judah, is killed in battle, ushering in a period of instability and ungodly rulers.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, crown prince of Babylon, attacks Jerusalem and deports a portion of the population, including young men like Daniel, to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin and many more Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining significant portion of the population to Babylon. This event marks the end of the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
This proverb echoes Jeremiah's sentiment, affirming that while humans make plans, it's God who ultimately directs their path, reinforcing the idea that our steps aren't solely ours to control.
James 4:13-15James directly addresses the arrogance of assuming control over one's life, a perfect parallel to Jeremiah's confession that human direction is limited and subject to a higher will.
Isaiah 45:9This passage powerfully contrasts human presumption with God's sovereign authority, questioning the person who tries to direct their own way as if they were God, highlighting the futility of independent direction.
Proverbs 20:24Similar to Jeremiah, this proverb emphasizes that human understanding of their own path is limited, and that ultimate direction comes from the LORD, underscoring our need for divine guidance.
Psalm 73:23The psalmist expresses a similar realization of dependence, acknowledging that even when feeling lost or astray, God's hand is guiding and holding him, mirroring Jeremiah's trust in God's direction.
barnesJeremiah 10:23: "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."
At the rumour of the enemy's approach Jeremiah utters in the name of the nation a supplication appropriate to men overtaken by the divine justice.
pulpitJeremiah 10:23: "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."
Verses 23-25. - These verses confirm the view taken above, of the speaker of this whole section. Jeremiah and the people, each is, in a sense, the speaker; but here the prophetic faith seems to run rather in advance of that of his fellow-countrymen. They form, however, a fitting sequel to the charges brought against the people in Jeremiah 9. The speaker admits that he (eith…
The verse powerfully highlights that even our most deliberate actions, the very "steps" we take, aren't truly ours to control. It's a humble reminder that our path isn't solely determined by our own plans or capabilities, but is ultimately guided by a divine hand we cannot always see.
This verse appears in the midst of Jeremiah's lament and prayer for his people. After condemning the people for their foolish idolatry and reliance on their own plans, Jeremiah turns directly to God. He acknowledges that the nation's fate, and indeed every person's path, is ultimately not in human hands but under divine sovereignty, especially in the face of impending judgment.
This verse appears in the midst of Jeremiah's lament and prayer for his people. After condemning the people for their foolish idolatry and reliance on their own plans, Jeremiah turns directly to God. He acknowledges that the nation's fate, and indeed every person's path, is ultimately not in human hands but under divine sovereignty, especially in the face of impending judgment.
"I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps." — The verse powerfully highlights that even our most deliberate actions, the very "steps" we take, aren't truly ours to control. It's a humble reminder that our path isn't solely determined by our own…
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Last reviewed October 2026