The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish] Both they and their worshippers shall be destroyed; and idolatry shall finally be destroyed from the earth; and the heavens shall look no more on so great an abomination. It is suffered for a while: but in the end shall be destroyed. This verse is written in a sort of Hebraeo- Syriaco-Chaldee; such a dialect as I suppose was spoken at that time in Babylon, or during the captivity. As it is a message to the Babylonians therefore, it is given in their own language. The Chaldee makes it the beginning of the copy of the epistle which the Prophet Jeremiah sent to the rest of the elders of the captivity who were in Babylon. All the ancient Versions acknowledge this verse; and it is found in all MSS. hitherto collated, except one of Dr. Kennicott's numbered 526; and he has included it between lines, as doubting its authenticity. Dr. Blayney supposes that some public teacher during the captivity, deducing it by direct inference from the prophet's words, had it inserted in the margin, and perhaps usually read together with this section, in the assemblies of the people, in order that they might have their answer always ready, whenever they were molested on the point of religion, or importuned to join the idolatrous worship of the Chaldeans.

Dahler has left it entirely out of the text, and introduces it in a note thus: - "After ver. 10 the Hebrew text is interrupted by a verse written in the Chaldean or Babylonish tongue. It is thus expressed:- Ye shall say unto them, Let the gods perish! Who have not made the heavens and the earth.

Let them be banished from above the earth, and from under the heavens.

This verse can be considered only as a foreign insertion, not only on account of the difference of the language, but also because it interrupts the natural course of the ideas, and of the connection of the tenth and twelfth verses." As a curiosity I shall insert it in Hebrew, which the reader may compare with the Chaldee text, which I also subjoin.

Ċrahw µymw w[ al ra µyhlah µhl wrmay tazk hla µymh tjt mw Ċrah m wdbay cazoth tomeru lahem; haelohim asher lo ask hashshamayim vehaarets, yobedu min haarets, umin tachath hashshamayim elleh. ayhla whl wrmat andk twjt mw a[ram wdbay wdb[ al aqraw aym yd :hla aym kidna temerun lehon; elahaiya di shemaiya vearka la abadu, yebadu meara umin techoth shemaiya elleh.

The Hebrew is the translation of Leusden; the Chaldee is that of the common text. Had not all the ancient Versions acknowledged it, I also, principally on account of the strangeness of the language, as being neither Chaldee nor Syriac, should have doubted its authenticity.

Jer. 10:1-16 The prophet shows the glory of Israel's God, and expose the folly of idolaters. Charms and other attempts to obtai supernatural help, or to pry into futurity, are copied from the wicke customs of the heathen. Let us stand in awe, and not dare provoke God by giving that glory to another which is due to him alone. He is read to forgive, and save all who repent and believe in the name of his So Jesus Christ. Faith learns these blessed truths from the word of God but all knowledge not from that source, leads to doctrines of vanity.

Jer. 10:17-25 The Jews who continued in their own land, felt secure But, sooner or later, sinners will find all things as the word of God has declared, and that its threatenings are not empty terrors Submission will support the believer under every grief allotted to him but what can render the load of Divine vengeance easy to be borne by those who fall under it in sullen despair? Those cannot expect to prosper, who do not, by faith and prayer, take God with them in all their ways. The report of the enemy's approach was very dreadful. Ye the designs which men lay deep, and think well formed, are dashed to pieces in a moment. Events are often overruled, so as to be quit contrary to what we intended and expected. If the Lord has directed ou steps into the ways of peace and righteousness, let us entreat him to enable us to walk therein. Say not, Lord, do not correct me; but, Lord do not correct me in anger. We may bear the smart of God's rod, but we cannot bear the weight of his wrath. Those who restrain prayer, prove that they know not God; for those who know him will seek him, and see his favour. If even severe corrections lead sinners to be convinced of wholesome truths, they will have abundant cause for gratitude. And the will then humble themselves before the Lord __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew