(15) The work of errors.--Better, a work of mockery, i.e., worthy of that and of that only, the word being apparently substituted, after Jeremiah's manner, for the technical word, not unlike in sound, which is translated "image work" in 2 Chronicles 3:10.
In the time of their visitation.--i.e., in the time when they are visited with punishment, as in 1 Peter 2:12; Isaiah 10:3, and Luke 19:44.
Verse 15. - The very essence of idols isvanity; they are unreal as "a breath;" they are, not so much the work of errorsas a work of mockery, i.e. not opus rise dignum, but a work which rewards the efforts bestowed upon its production by disappointment.
10:1-16 The prophet shows the glory of Israel's God, and exposes the folly of idolaters. Charms and other attempts to obtain supernatural help, or to pry into futurity, are copied from the wicked customs of the heathen. Let us stand in awe, and not dare provoke God, by giving that glory to another which is due to him alone. He is ready to forgive, and save all who repent and believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ. Faith learns these blessed truths from the word of God; but all knowledge not from that source, leads to doctrines of vanity.
They are vanity,.... They are the fruit of the vain imagination of men; to worship them shows the vanity of the human mind; and they are vain things to trust to:
and the work of errors; of erroneous men, and which lead men into errors; and are worthy to be laughed at, as the Targum paraphrases it.
In the time of their visitation they shall perish; or in the time that I shall visit upon them their sins, as the Targum; that is, when Babylon should be destroyed by the Medes and Persians, as Kimchi interprets it; when their idols were destroyed also; see Isaiah 46:1.
In the time of their visitation.--i.e., in the time when they are visited with punishment, as in 1 Peter 2:12; Isaiah 10:3, and Luke 19:44.
and the work of errors; of erroneous men, and which lead men into errors; and are worthy to be laughed at, as the Targum paraphrases it.
In the time of their visitation they shall perish; or in the time that I shall visit upon them their sins, as the Targum; that is, when Babylon should be destroyed by the Medes and Persians, as Kimchi interprets it; when their idols were destroyed also; see Isaiah 46:1.