Jeremiah 10:9
Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz. They are the work of the craftsman and of the hands of the goldsmith; their clothing is violet and purple; they are all the work of skilled men.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jeremiah isn't just describing precious materials; he's highlighting that all this opulent detail—the beaten silver, the finest gold, the vibrant purple and violet dyes—serves only to adorn something inherently worthless. It’s a stark reminder that even the most exquisite craftsmanship and expensive materials can’t give divinity to something made by human hands.
Jeremiah is contrasting the power of God with the futility of idols. He’s just described how idols are useless and can’t speak or walk, and now he highlights their elaborate craftsmanship, emphasizing they are made by human hands from precious materials sourced from distant lands like Tarshish and Uphaz. This detailed description sets up the powerful conclusion in the next verse, where Jeremiah will directly address God as the true Creator and King.
The idols described in this verse are not mere trinkets. They are made from the finest materials, sourced from distant lands and expertly crafted. What does this tell us about why people were drawn to them?
Jeremiah paints a picture of luxurious idols. "Silver spread into plates" from Tarshish (likely a far-off port, possibly in Spain) and "gold from Uphaz" (another distant, wealthy region) highlight the exotic origins of the materials.
The Art of Deception
These precious metals weren't just gathered; they were worked by "the craftsman" and "the hands of the founder." The idols were then adorned with "violet and purple" clothing – colors derived from expensive dyes, indicating even more wealth and skill invested.
Jeremiah emphasizes that these idols are "all the work of skilled men." This is crucial. The beauty and impressiveness of these idols stemmed entirely from human ingenuity and labor, not from any inherent divine power.
Jeremiah doesn't just describe the materials of idols; he reveals the purpose behind their splendor. What was the ultimate goal of all this craftsmanship and expense?
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The prophet is making a powerful point about the deceptive nature of idolatry. The elaborate construction, the use of precious metals like silver and gold, and the rich purple and violet garments were all designed to dazzle and impress.
The Devil's Artifice
As commentators note, this outward pomp was intended to capture human attention and awe. The devil, in his cunning, uses such superficial splendor to draw people away from the true God. By making idols appear magnificent through human skill, people were led to believe they possessed a god-like quality, blinding them to their true, man-made nature.
The verse implicitly asks: If these gods are so powerful, why do they need to be clothed and adorned by human hands? Their very dependence on human effort for their appearance proves their lack of true divine power.
Jeremiah's vivid description of idols crafted from precious metals and dyed fabrics highlights their foreign origins and human artistry, contrasting sharply with the God of Israel who is eternal and sovereign, not dependent on distant lands or skilled craftsmen.
c. 750 BC - 600 BC
Phoenician Maritime Trade Expands
Phoenician traders, especially from Tyre, established extensive trade routes across the Mediterranean. They were known to import valuable metals like silver from regions such as Tartessus in Spain (often identified with Tarshish).
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, initiated the first major deportation of Judean people and treasures to Babylon. This event marked the beginning of the Babylonian exile, a period of significant political and spiritual upheaval for Judah.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar, destroyed Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, ending the Davidic monarchy and scattering many of the remaining people. This was a catastrophic event for Israel's national and religious identity.
c. 550 BC - 539 BC
Persian Empire Rises
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus the Great, rapidly expanded and eventually conquered the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This shift in power would later allow for the return of Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus Allows Return
Cyrus the Great issued a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This marked a significant turning point, though many remained in exile.
c. 600 BC - 550 BC— this verse
Jeremiah Prophesies
Jeremiah served as a prophet in Judah during the tumultuous final decades before the Babylonian conquest and exile. He delivered God's messages of warning and hope to a people facing judgment and a future of rebuilding.
This passage also describes the creation of idols, emphasizing the craftsman's skill and the use of precious materials like silver and gold, drawing a similar parallel between human artistry and the supposed divinity of the idol.
Exodus 25:4This verse details the materials used for the Tabernacle, including blue and purple and fine woven fabric, highlighting how the same precious and skillfully crafted materials revered by the Israelites for God's dwelling were also used to adorn pagan idols.
Psalm 115:4This psalm directly contrasts the lifeless idols made of silver and gold with the living God, echoing Jeremiah's point that these crafted objects are ultimately the work of human hands, not divine power.
Daniel 10:5The mention of gold from 'Uphaz' in Jeremiah finds a parallel here, as Daniel sees a vision where a figure is described with clothing of fine linen and a face like lightning, subtly contrasting the elaborate adornments of idols with divine glory.
barnesJeremiah 10:9: "Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men."
Or, "It is a piece of wood ( Jeremiah 10:8 note); yea, beaten silver it is, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz: it is the work etc." Tarshish ... Uphaz - See the marginal reference and Genesis 10:4. Possibly Uphaz was a place in the neighborhood of the River Hy…
clarkeJeremiah 10:9: "Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men."
Brought from Tarshish - Some suppose this to be Tartessus in Spain, from which the Phoenicians brought much silver. Uphaz, Calmet thinks to be the river Pison; some think Ophir is intended. Blue and purple is their clothing - These were the most precious dyes; very rare, and of…
Jeremiah isn't just describing precious materials; he's highlighting that all this opulent detail—the beaten silver, the finest gold, the vibrant purple and violet dyes—serves only to adorn something inherently worthless. It’s a stark reminder that even the most exquisite craftsmanship and expensive materials can’t give divinity to something made by human hands.
Jeremiah is contrasting the power of God with the futility of idols. He’s just described how idols are useless and can’t speak or walk, and now he highlights their elaborate craftsmanship, emphasizing they are made by human hands from precious materials sourced from distant lands like Tarshish and Uphaz. This detailed description sets up the powerful conclusion in the next verse, where Jeremiah will directly address God as the true Creator and King.
Jeremiah is contrasting the power of God with the futility of idols. He’s just described how idols are useless and can’t speak or walk, and now he highlights their elaborate craftsmanship, emphasizing they are made by human hands from precious materials sourced from distant lands like Tarshish and Uphaz. This detailed description sets up the powerful conclusion in the next verse, where Jeremiah will directly address God as the true Creator and King.
"Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz. They are the work of the craftsman and of the hands of the goldsmith; their clothing is violet and purple; they are all the work of skilled men." — Jeremiah isn't just describing precious materials; he's highlighting that all this opulent detail—the beaten silver, the finest gold, the vibrant purple and violet dyes—serves only to adorn something…
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