Jeremiah 10:1

House of Israel. This expression is here used to denote the remnant of the Israelite nation, the kingdom of Judah, rather than the northern kingdom (see on ch. 4:1, 3).

Way of the heathen. Primarily the reference is to their way of worshiping, their religion (see Lev. 18:3; 20:23; see on Jer. 4:18).

Signs of heaven. The heathen made astrological calculations based on extraordinary appearances in the sky. Celestial phenomena, such as eclipses, comets, and particular conjunctions of the heavenly bodies, were frequently regarded as indications of national or individual fortunes (see Isa. 47:13).

For the heathen. The reason for the warning is the prevalence and seductive influence of idolatrous religious practices. That idolatry held a fascination for the Israelites is abundantly clear from the frequent warnings against it (see Ex. 23:24, 32, 33; Lev. 18:3; Deut. 7:1-5; Judges 2; 3).