Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee O Lord ; thou art great and thy name is great in might.## Introduction - In Plain Language: There is nobody like you, Lord — you are powerful and your reputation shows your strength. - Big idea: God is utterly unique and mighty; no idol or deity can compare to Him. - Key points: - The verse declares God’s uniqueness and incomparability. - It ties God’s greatness to His “name,” meaning His reputation, authority, and power. - The line functions as a contrast to idols and empty worship described around it. ## Context - Where this verse fits in: Jeremiah 10 sits in the prophet Jeremiah’s messages to Judah as Babylon rose to power. Chapter 10 contrasts the living God with the useless, man-made idols that people were worshiping. Verse 6 is a short, forceful affirmation of the Lord’s uniqueness placed amid warnings against idolatry. - Story timeline: Late 7th / early 6th century BC (just before and during the Babylonian threat). Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah and Jerusalem, calling them back from religious and moral compromises. - Surrounding passage: - Before (vv. 1–5): Jeremiah warns against following the customs of the nations and fashioning idols — a critique of superstitious practices and wooden/metal idols that have no power. - This verse (v. 6): A stark, worshipful statement: God alone is incomparable and mighty. - After (vv. 7–9): The focus returns to God’s control over nature and nations — a reminder that the living God acts in history, far above what idols can do. ## Explanation - Quick take: Jeremiah 10:6 is a short hymn of praise placed inside a prophetic critique of idolatry. It says simply and powerfully: no one compares to the Lord — He is great, and His name carries mighty power. - In Depth: Jeremiah interrupts the argument about foolish idol-making with this affirmation of God’s uniqueness. The ancient reader would recognize the rhetoric: when idols are being exposed as helpless objects, the prophet points to the true God whose nature and actions set Him apart. The phrase “none like unto thee” emphasizes absolute uniqueness — not just “better” but incomparable. Calling the Lord “great” (Hebrew: gadol) affirms His stature, authority, and worthiness of worship. Saying “thy name is great in might” ties God’s identity to His name. In the Bible, “name” often means more than a label — it stands for reputation, presence, and the power associated with God’s character and actions. So the verse is both theological (God alone is God) and pastoral (it reassures people that the Lord is powerful and trustworthy). Placed against the empty lifelessness of idols, Jeremiah’s line invites a return to worship that recognizes God’s real power and uniqueness, not ritual emptiness. ## Key Words - Ein kamokha (אֵין כָּמוֹךָ) — “there is none like you” (incomparable). - YHWH (יהוה) — the covenant name of Israel’s God, translated “LORD.” - Gadol (גָּדוֹל) — “great,” indicating magnitude, honor, and authority. - Shem / gevurah (שֵׁם / גְּבוּרָה) — “name” and “might/strength”; “name” points to God’s reputation and presence; “might” to powerful capability. ## Background - Cultural/historical/literary background: In the ancient Near East, many peoples worshiped numerous gods represented by crafted images. Jeremiah speaks in a context where such idol-making is common. The prophet’s technique is to expose idol-makers as foolish and then to affirm Yahweh’s transcendent, active power in history. Short hymnic lines like v. 6 are common in prophetic books as a way to reassert proper worship and theology. The idea of God’s “name” carrying power reflects ancient thinking that a deity’s reputation and presence were active realities — to invoke the name of the Lord is to call upon His character and power. ## Theology - Theological insights (plain language): - God’s uniqueness is absolute — no competing god or idol can match Him. - God’s greatness is both moral and active: He is majestic and acts with power in history. - The “name” of God isn’t just a label; it points to God’s character, reputation, and effective presence among people. ## Application To Your Life - For workers: When you face competition, pressure, or injustice at work, remember that the Lord’s strength and reputation are deeper and steadier than any human power or success. Trusting God’s might helps you act with integrity rather than resorting to idols of status or shortcuts. - For parents: Teach children that worship isn’t about objects or routines but about honoring the one true God whose character matters. Model reliance on God’s power rather than worldly reassurance. - For leaders: Don’t substitute symbolic gestures for real responsibility; leadership should reflect the God who is truly great and mighty, serving others not elevating idols of image and control. - For seekers/doubters: This verse directs attention away from manufactured solutions (what the world sets up to save us) to the living God whose name and power you can know and experience. - Reflection questions: - What “idols” (things you rely on more than God) does this verse expose in your life? - How would trusting God’s incomparable power change a current worry or decision? - Short prayer: Lord, help me see You as You are — unique, great, and powerful — and give me courage to trust Your name and strength in my life. ## Translation Comparison - KJV: “Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.” - NIV: “No one is like you, LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power.” - ESV: “For there is none like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is great in might.” - NASB: “For there is no one like You, O LORD; You are great, and great is Your name in might.” - Why differences matter: The translations are very similar because the Hebrew is straightforward. Small shifts — “mighty in power” (NIV) vs. “great in might” (KJV/ESV) — reflect choices about word order and English idiom. Translators also decide how to render “name” — whether to stress reputation, authority, or active power. These choices shape how readers understand the connection between who God is and how He acts. ## FAQs - Q: What does “thy name is great in might” actually mean? Short answer: In the Bible, a person’s “name” often stands for their reputation, character, and presence. Saying God’s name is “great in might” means God’s reputation and identity are closely tied to real power — He doesn’t just have a title; He acts with strength and authority. Practically, it means you can rely on God’s power and status, not a mere idea of God. This phrase emphasizes that invoking God’s name connects you to His real, effective presence in the world. - Q: How does this verse relate to the fight against idolatry in Jeremiah? Short answer: Jeremiah 10 criticizes people who copy foreign religious customs and carve lifeless idols. Verse 6 functions as a counter-statement: while idols are powerless, the LORD is unique and mighty. The point isn’t just theological pride; it’s pastoral — people should stop trusting things they made and turn back to the God who actually acts in history. The verse provides the reason for abandoning idols: God alone is incomparable and powerful. ## Cross References - Psalm 86:8 — “Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord.” (Affirms God’s uniqueness.) - Exodus 15:11 — “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness?” (Celebrates God’s unique majesty after deliverance.) - Isaiah 40:18 — “To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?” (Challenges attempts to compare God to created things.) - Psalm 135:5 — “For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.” (Echoes the theme of God’s superiority over idols.) ## Deeper Study - Commentary synthesis (high-level): Scholars generally see Jeremiah 10:6 as a liturgical or hymnic fragment intentionally placed inside a prophetic polemic. Its purpose is rhetorical: to contrast the living God with the impotent idols just described. Some commentators note parallels with other biblical songs and ancient Near Eastern hymns that praise a deity’s incomparable nature. The verse has been used in worship and confession throughout Jewish and Christian traditions because of its plain, forceful theology. - Group study bullets: - Read vv. 1–9 together: identify how verse 6 shifts the tone. Why does Jeremiah insert this praise here? - Discuss modern “idols” and how the Bible’s critique applies to them. - Explore what “name” means in Scripture and how invoking God’s name shaped ancient worship. - Reflect on concrete steps a group can take to center worship on the Lord’s real power rather than cultural symbols. ## Related verses (compare and contrast — and why) - Psalm 86:8 — “Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord.” Why: Very close in theme and language; useful to compare how different books praise God’s uniqueness. - Exodus 15:11 — “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness?” Why: A post-deliverance hymn that ties God’s uniqueness to acts of salvation — helps see how God’s might is displayed in history. - Isaiah 40:25 — “To whom then will you liken me, or to whom shall I be equal?” Why: Offers a prophetic polemic against comparing God with idols, deepening the theological claim of incomparability. ## Talk to the Bible Try the ‘Talk To The Bible’ feature to explore this verse more interactively. Suggested prompts: - “Show me other Bible passages that declare there is no god like the LORD and compare wording and context.” - “How does the concept of God’s ‘name’ in Jeremiah 10:6 appear in the New Testament?” - “Give a short modern devotional for someone struggling to trust God’s power instead of money or status.”
