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Shall a man make to himself gods, which yet are no gods?

Verse Takeaways

1

The Creator Cannot Be Created

Commentators explain that this verse poses a powerful rhetorical question to expose the core foolishness of idolatry. The argument, as John Calvin notes, is simple: How can a created being (man) create a creator (a god)? A frail, mortal person cannot give the divinity they do not possess to an object made of wood or stone.

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Book Overview

Jeremiah

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Commentaries

3

John Calvin

John Calvin

On Jeremiah 16:20

16th Century

Theologian

Some superficially explain this verse, as though the Prophet said that men are doubly foolish who form gods for themselves from wood, stone, gold, …

John Gill

John Gill

On Jeremiah 16:20

17th Century

Pastor

Shall a man make gods unto himself
Can a man make his own gods? a poor, weak, mortal man? can he make gods of gold, …

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Jeremiah 16:14–21

17th Century

Minister

The restoration from the Babylonian captivity would be remembered in place of the deliverance from Egypt; it also typified spiritual redemption, an…