The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: the LORD of hosts is his name.
Parallel translations
- WEB The portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the former of all things; including the tribe of his inheritance: Yahweh of Armies is his name.
- BSB The Portion of Jacob is not like these, for He is the Maker of all things, and of the tribe of His inheritance—the LORD of Hosts is His name.
- NKJV The Portion of Jacob is not like them, For He is the Maker of all things; And Israel is the tribe of His inheritance. The Lord of hosts is His name.
- NASB The portion of Jacob is not like these; For He is the Maker of everything, And of the tribe of His inheritance; The Lord of armies is His name.
- NLT But the God of Israel is no idol! He is the Creator of everything that exists, including his people, his own special possession. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Unlike worthless idols, the 'portion of Jacob' is the Maker of all things, who claims Israel as His inheritance; His name is the Lord of Armies. Israel's God is the living Creator, not a dead idol.
Overview
This refrain (also in 10:16) contrasts the true God with the lifeless images just condemned. He is both the Former of all things and the one who has bound Himself to His people as their portion and they as His inheritance. To have this God as one's portion is the believer's greatest treasure, a relationship secured forever through Christ, in whom God claims His people.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Jer 10:16The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name.
- Ps 73:26My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
- 1 Pet 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
- Ps 33:12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
- Exod 19:5–6Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
- Isa 47:4As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.
- Jer 12:7–10I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.
- Ps 135:4For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
- Ps 16:5The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
- Ps 74:2Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.
- Ps 115:3But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
- Deut 32:9For the LORD’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.
- Jer 50:11Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls;
- Lam 3:24The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
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Christ at the center
Against the failure of false shepherds Jeremiah promises the Righteous Branch, 'The LORD our righteousness,' and the new covenant written on the heart and sealed in the blood of Christ.
How Jeremiah 51:19 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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