Jeremiah 10:4

Upright. Heb. miqshah, used elsewhere in the OT only of turned or hammered work (see Ex. 25:18, 31, 36), or of a field of cucumbers (see Isa. 1:8).

Palm tree. Heb. tomer. The word generally denoting a palm tree is spelled tamar (Ex. 15:27; Lev. 23:40; Num. 33:9; etc.). It is doubtful whether a palm tree is here intended, especially when the translation “upright” for miqshah (see above under “upright”) finds no support. A different interpretation has been suggested, based on a comment in the Apocryphal work, the Epistle of Jeremy, written in the Maccabean period. The Jeremy passage appears to have reference to this prophecy. Verse 70 (v. 69 in the LXX) of this epistle reads, “For even as a scarecrow in a cucumber bed guards nothing, thus are their gods of wood, set in gold and silver.” Inasmuch as the translation “garden of cucumbers” can be supported by Isa. 1:8, it is possible that by the Heb. tomer the prophet meant to designate a scarecrow. This would yield the interesting translation, “They are like a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers.” A scarecrow in a vegetable garden is stiff, lifeless, and impotent. It is designated to frighten away the birds, but even they may become aware of its impotence.

Speak not. Like scarecrows in a field, idols, though outwardly made to resemble a human being and though standing in a speaking posture, are nought but dumb stocks (see Ps. 115:5).

Must needs be borne. Idols were customarily carried in the grand procession of the gods at the Babylonian religious festivals (see Ps. 115:7; Isa. 46:1, 7).

Go. Literally, “march.” Idols cannot even march in their own processions.

Be not afraid of them. Pagans worship their gods either in the hope that these deities may do them good, or for fear that their deities may harm them. But the prophet declares that these gods are incapable of either hurting their enemies or helping their friends. They can neither reward nor punish (see Isa. 41:23).