Jeremiah 10:23 Explained

"O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." — Jeremiah 10:23 (KJV)

A prophet's admission, made while his own country was collapsing around a plan he had warned them about.

Read it in context: The Book of Jeremiah. Also gathered under verses about guidance.

Jeremiah 10:23 in context

What does Jeremiah 10:23 mean?

The claim is about capacity, not permission. Not that a person may not direct his steps but that it is not in him to — the ability is absent, like sight in the blind. Read that way the verse is a relief rather than a restriction: the reason you cannot see how the next stretch goes is not a failure of planning on your part.

What is the context of Jeremiah 10:23?

Jeremiah has spent the chapter mocking idols carved from trees and dressed in silver. Then he stops arguing and prays. Judah is about to be taken by Babylon, and this is the prophet's own position rather than his message to others.

How do I pray Jeremiah 10:23?

Pray it before a decision rather than after one has gone wrong. Say what you cannot see, plainly, instead of asking for confirmation of what you have already chosen. Then take the next step anyway — Jeremiah kept walking and kept prophesying; the verse does not counsel paralysis.

Carry this verse with you

Save Jeremiah 10:23 and a daily verse to your lock screen with Quiethaven. Read the whole Bible in the Bible app, pair it with a prayer timer, and turn Scripture into a daily habit.

More verses explained

• 1 John 4:18 explained
• Job 17:9 explained
• Exodus 20:12 explained
• 1 Thessalonians 5:14 explained
• 2 Timothy 2:2 explained
• Titus 1:8 explained

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