Jeremiah 51:17 net — All idolaters will prove to be stupid and ignorant. Every goldsmith will be disgraced by the idol he made. For the imag…

NET Bible

"All idolaters will prove to be stupid and ignorant. Every goldsmith will be disgraced by the idol he made. For the image he forges is merely a sham. There is no breath in any of those idols."

— Jeremiah 51:17, NET Bible

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Jeremiah 51:17 in Other Translations

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Jeremiah 51 — Context

14

The LORD of Heaven’s Armies has solemnly sworn,‘I will fill your land with enemy soldiers. They will swarm over it like locusts. They will raise up shouts of victory over it.’

15

He is the one who by his power made the earth. He is the one who by his wisdom fixed the world in place, by his understanding he spread out the heavens.

16

When his voice thunders, the waters in the heavens roar. He makes the clouds rise from the far-off horizons. He makes the lightning flash out in the midst of the rain. He unleashes the wind from the places where he stores it.

17

All idolaters will prove to be stupid and ignorant. Every goldsmith will be disgraced by the idol he made. For the image he forges is merely a sham. There is no breath in any of those idols.

18

They are worthless, objects to be ridiculed. When the time comes to punish them, they will be destroyed.

19

The LORD, who is the portion of the descendants of Jacob, is not like them. For he is the one who created everything, including the people of Israel whom he claims as his own. His name is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

20

“Babylon, you are my war club, my weapon for battle. I used you to smash nations. I used you to destroy kingdoms.

Jeremiah 51:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Jeremiah 51:17 say?
Jeremiah 51:17 in the NET Bible reads: “All idolaters will prove to be stupid and ignorant. Every goldsmith will be disgraced by the idol he made. For the image he forges is merely a sham. There is no breath in any of those idols.”
Where is Jeremiah 51:17 in the Bible?
Jeremiah 51:17 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Jeremiah, chapter 51, verse 17.
Who wrote Jeremiah?
Jeremiah is traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, with scribal help from Baruch. It was written c. 627–580 BC.
What is the book of Jeremiah about?
Jeremiah, the "weeping prophet," ministered through Judah's slow-motion collapse — pleading with kings and people to repent, suffering imprisonment for his message, and ultimately watching Jerusalem fall. Yet in the midst of judgment he promises a new covenant written on the heart.
What are the major themes of Jeremiah?
Jeremiah explores themes including Judgment, Repentance, New Covenant, Suffering Prophet, Hope. These themes shape the meaning and context of Jeremiah 51:17.
What translation should I read Jeremiah 51:17 in?
Jeremiah 51:17 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Jeremiah 51:17?
Jeremiah 51:17 reads (NET): “All idolaters will prove to be stupid and ignorant. Every goldsmith will be disgraced by the idol he made. For the image he forges is merely a sham. There is no breath in any of those idols.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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