Jeremiah 18:3
Jeremiah 18:3 in Multiple Translations
So I went down to the potter’s house and saw him working at the wheel.
Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he was making a work on the wheels.
Then I went down to the potter's house, and he was doing his work on the stones.
I went down to the potter's house and saw him working at his potter's wheel.
Then I went downe to the potters house, and behold, he wrought a worke on the wheeles.
and I go down [to] the potter's house, and lo, he is doing a work on the stones,
Then I went down to the potter’s house, and behold, he was making something on the wheels.
Then I went down to the potter's house, and behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
And I went down into the potter’s house, and behold he was doing a work on the wheel.
So I went to that shop, and I saw the man who makes pots. He was working at the wheel that he uses to form pots.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 18:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 18:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וָ/אֵרֵ֖ד
בֵּ֣ית
הַ/יּוֹצֵ֑ר
ו/הנ/הו
וְ/הִנֵּה
ה֛וּא
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
מְלָאכָ֖ה
עַל
הָ/אָבְנָֽיִם
וָ/אֵרֵ֖ד
yârad
H3381
to go down
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs
בֵּ֣ית
bayith
H1004
place
N-ms
הַ/יּוֹצֵ֑ר
yâtsar
H3335
to form
Art | V-Qal
ו/הנ/הו
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Conj | Part | Suff
וְ/הִנֵּה
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Conj | Part
ה֛וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal
מְלָאכָ֖ה
mᵉlâʼkâh
H4399
work
N-fs
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
הָ/אָבְנָֽיִם
ʼôben
H70
wheel
Art | N-md
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 18:3
וָ/אֵרֵ֖ד
yârad
H3381
"to go down"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.
בֵּ֣ית
bayith
H1004
"place"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
הַ/יּוֹצֵ֑ר
yâtsar
H3335
"to form"
Art | V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to form or shape something, like a potter molding clay. It appears in Genesis 2:7, describing God's creation of humans, and in Isaiah 64:8, where God is compared to a potter.
Definition: : formed 1) to form, fashion, frame 1a) (Qal) to form, fashion 1a1) of human activity 1a2) of divine activity 1a2a) of creation 1a2a1) of original creation 1a2a2) of individuals at conception 1a2a3) of Israel as a people 1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation) 1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created 1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained 1d) (Hophal) to be formed
Usage: Occurs in 56 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] earthen, fashion, form, frame, make(-r), potter, purpose. See also: Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 44:12; Psalms 2:9.
ו/הנ/הו
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Conj | Part | Suff
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
וְ/הִנֵּה
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Conj | Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
ה֛וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
מְלָאכָ֖ה
mᵉlâʼkâh
H4399
"work"
N-fs
Means work or employment, like a job or business, and is used to describe someone's occupation or the result of their labor, as seen in the Bible's description of various professions and industries.
Definition: 1) occupation, work, business 1a) occupation, business 1b) property 1c) work (something done or made) 1d) workmanship 1e) service, use 1f) public business 1f1) political 1f2) religious
Usage: Occurs in 149 OT verses. KJV: business, [phrase] cattle, [phrase] industrious, occupation, ([phrase] -pied), [phrase] officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work((-man), -manship). See also: Genesis 2:2; 1 Chronicles 9:13; Psalms 73:28.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הָ/אָבְנָֽיִם
ʼôben
H70
"wheel"
Art | N-md
The Hebrew word for a wheel or a stool, like a potter's wheel used to shape clay or a midwife's stool for childbirth. It appears in the Bible as a symbol of creation and new life. In the book of Jeremiah, a potter's wheel is used to illustrate God's power.
Definition: 1) wheel, disc 1a) potter's wheel 1b) bearing-stool, midwife's stool
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: wheel, stool. See also: Exodus 1:16; Jeremiah 18:3.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 18:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 18:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 18:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 18:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 18:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 18:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 18:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 18:3
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 18:3
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 18:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 18:3
- Sermons on Jeremiah 18:3
Context — The Potter and the Clay
1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
2“Go down at once to the potter’s house, and there I will give you My message.”
3So I went down to the potter’s house and saw him working at the wheel.
4But the vessel that he was shaping from the clay became flawed in his hand; so he formed it into another vessel, as it seemed best for him to do. 5Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John 15:14 | You are My friends if you do what I command you. |
| 2 | Jonah 1:3 | Jonah, however, got up to flee to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. |
| 3 | Acts 26:19 | So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. |
Jeremiah 18:3 Summary
In Jeremiah 18:3, Jeremiah goes to the potter's house, just as God instructed him, and sees the potter working at the wheel. This scene is a powerful reminder of God's creative power and control over our lives, as seen in Psalm 139:13-14, where it says God formed us in our mother's womb. Just like the clay in the potter's hands, we are moldable and shapeable by God's hands, as referenced in Isaiah 64:8. As we surrender to God's plan, we can trust that He will shape us into the vessels He desires us to be, as seen in 2 Timothy 2:21.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God tell Jeremiah to go to the potter's house?
God wanted to reveal a message to Jeremiah, and the potter's house was the place where He would give Jeremiah a visual illustration of His message, as seen in Jeremiah 18:3 and explained further in Jeremiah 18:6, which references the book of Jeremiah 18:1-2 for context.
What is the significance of the potter working at the wheel?
The potter working at the wheel represents God's creative power and control over His creation, as seen in Isaiah 64:8, where it says we are the clay and God is the potter, and also in Jeremiah 18:3, which shows Jeremiah observing the potter at work.
How does this verse relate to Jeremiah's ministry?
This verse is a pivotal moment in Jeremiah's ministry, as it sets the stage for God's message to Jeremiah about the nation of Israel, which is explained further in Jeremiah 18:5-10, and is also referenced in the book of Jeremiah 1:5, where God calls Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations.
What can we learn from Jeremiah's obedience in this verse?
Jeremiah's obedience in going to the potter's house demonstrates his trust in God's plan and his willingness to follow God's instructions, as seen in Jeremiah 18:3, and also in Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to surrender to God's creative power, just like the clay in the potter's hands?
- How can I, like Jeremiah, trust God's plan and follow His instructions, even when I don't fully understand the purpose?
- What are some ways I can apply the principle of surrender and trust, as seen in Jeremiah 18:3, to my daily life and relationships?
- In what ways can I, like the potter, be a vessel for God's creative work in the world, as referenced in 2 Corinthians 4:7?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 18:3
Then I went down to the potter's house,.... He did as the Lord commanded him; he was obedient to the divine will; he went to hear what the Lord had to say to him there, and to observe such things,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 18:3
Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 18:3
Jeremiah yields a present and free obedience to the command of God, though he did not know God’ s meaning in it, and findeth the potter at work upon wheels or frames which he formed his clay upon, to bring it into that form which he desired. For the true form of those frames or instruments it is hard to assert any thing, such kind of instruments differing not only according to several countries, but according to the several fancies of workmen, getting frames or engines made fitted to their own fancies and purposes.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 18:3
Jeremiah 18:3 Then I went down to the potter’ s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. Ver. 3. Then I went down to the potter’ s house.] God’ s commands must be obeyed without sciscitation. Jeremiah saw that verbal teaching without signs would not work upon his hearers; he is therefore ready to do anything, or to go any whither, for their eternal good. And, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.] So the poet - “ Amphora coepit Institui, currente rota, cur urceus exit? ” - Hor. De Art. Poet. Officiose paret.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 18:3
(3) He wrought a work on the wheels.—Literally, the two wheels. The nature of the work is described more graphically in Ecclus. xxxviii. 29, 30. The potter sat moving one horizontal wheel with his feet, while a smaller one was used, as it revolved, to fashion the shape of the vessel he was making with his hands. The image had been already used of God’s creative work in Isaiah 29:16; Isaiah 45:9; Isaiah 64:8.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 18:3
Verse 3. He wrought a work on the wheels.] אל האבנים al haabnayim, upon the stones, the potter's wheel being usually made of such; the spindle of the moving stone being placed on a stone below, on which it turned, and supported the stone above, on which the vessel was manufactured, and which alone had a rotatory motion. The potter's wheel in the present day seems to differ very little from that which was in use between two and three thousand years ago.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 18:3
3. the potter’s house] The likening (as in Jeremiah 18:6) of man to the clay and God to the potter was familiar. See on Jeremiah 18:4. The trade was a very early one. Thomson (The Land and the Book, p. 520) thus describes what he saw at Jaffa (Joppa): “There was the potter sitting at his ‘frame,’ and turning the ‘wheel’ with his foot. He had a heap of the prepared clay near him, and a pan of water by his side. Taking a lump in his hand, he placed it on the top of the wheel (which revolves horizontally) and smoothed it into a low cone, like the upper end of a sugar-loaf, then thrusting his thumb into the top of it, he opened a hole down through the centre, and this he constantly widened by pressing the edges of the revolving cone between his hands. As it enlarged and became thinner, he gave it whatever shape he pleased with the utmost ease and expedition.” the wheels] Two discs, the upper smaller than the lower, were placed on the same vertical axle, and the lower one turned by the foot. Cp. description in Sir 38:29 f.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 18:3
The wheels - literally, “the two wheels.” The lower one was worked by the feet to give motion to the upper one, which was a flat disc or plate of wood, on which the potter laid the clay, and moulded
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 18:3
3. Wheels — Literally, the two wheels. The potter’s lathe consisted of two frames or wheels revolving horizontally. Of these the lower was the larger, and was worked by the foot to give motion to the upper one.
Sermons on Jeremiah 18:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Jeremiah 18:3 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the relationship between God and humanity through the metaphor of the potter and the clay. He illustrates how God, as the potter, has absolute power and purp |
|
"Another Vessel" by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the concept of God as the potter and believers as clay, illustrating how Israel's refusal to accept God's pattern in Christ led to its marred state. He |
|
Baby Jesus by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the topic of baby Jesus and the growth of the baby. He emphasizes the importance of giving time to God and feeding our spirits through worshi |
|
The Way to Paradise by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of believing in the word of God and accepting Jesus as one's advocate. He encourages the listeners to come out on God's side |
|
(Genesis) 32 - the Sign of the Abrahamic Covenant by S. Lewis Johnson | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the marks of a true believer and the evidence of God's work in their heart and daily life. The sermon begins by discussing the structure of |
|
The Story of Esther by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker begins by asking the congregation what God has been arranging in their lives and what they are being set up for. He emphasizes the importance of being i |
|
Christ's Very Own - Part 2 by Ian Paisley | This sermon reflects on the tragic betrayal and rejection of Jesus by those who should have been His friends, drawing parallels to the story of Abraham being called the friend of G |