Question 1

What does Jeremiah 16:20 mean?

Accepted Answer

Jeremiah 16:20 asks whether people can make their own gods, even though these so-called gods are not truly gods at all. The verse points out the foolishness of creating objects to worship, since what people make with their own hands cannot be divine. In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them about the emptiness of idol worship. The people had turned away from the God of Israel and were making and worshiping idols. Jeremiah’s question challenges them to consider the logic of worshiping things they themselves have created, highlighting the difference between the true God and man-made objects.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 16:20

Accepted Answer

man (אָדָם, ’adam): This word refers to a human being, emphasizing the contrast between limited humans and the idea of a god. make (עָשָׂה, ‘asah): This verb means to make or do, underlining that these "gods" are the products of human effort, not divine beings. gods (אֱלֹהִים, ’elohim): This word can mean gods or God, but here it refers to idols or false gods. The repetition in the verse stresses that these are not real deities, just things called "gods" by people.

Question 3

Why Jeremiah 16:20 matters

Accepted Answer

Jeremiah 16:20 exposes the logical problem in idol worship: something made by a person cannot be greater than the person who made it. The verse connects to Jeremiah’s broader message that the people’s troubles come from turning away from the true God to worship powerless objects. This question prepares the reader for God’s response in the following verses, where God contrasts Himself with these lifeless idols and promises to show His power.

Jeremiah 16:20 (KJV)