Jeremiah 10:23 (KJV) with Hebrew, Strong’s Concordance, and Deeper Insight
Jeremiah 10:23 (KJV):
“O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.”
Hebrew Text with Strong’s Concordance Numbers:
יָדַ֙עְתִּי֙ (H3045) יְהוָ֔ה (H3068) כִּ֛י לֹ֥א (H3808) לְאָדָ֖ם (H120) דַּרְכּ֑וֹ (H1870) לֹֽא־לְאִ֥ישׁ (H376) הֹלֵ֖ךְ (H1980) וְהָכִ֥ין (H3559) אֶת־צַעֲדֽוֹ׃ (H6806)
Transliteration with Strong’s Concordance Numbers:
“Yada’ti-H3045 Yahweh-H3068, ki-H3588 lo-H3808 l’adam-H120 darko-H1870; lo-H3808 l’ish-H376 holekh-H1980 v’hachin-H3559 et-tza’ado-H6806.”
Key Hebrew Words and Their Meanings:
- יָדַ֙עְתִּי֙ (Yada’ti – H3045) → I know, understand, perceive
- יְהוָ֔ה (Yahweh – H3068) → The LORD (God’s covenant name)
- לֹ֥א (Lo – H3808) → Not, no
- לְאָדָ֖ם (L’adam – H120) → For man, mankind, humanity
- דַּרְכּ֑וֹ (Darko – H1870) → His way, path, course of life
- לְאִ֥ישׁ (L’ish – H376) → For a man, individual person
- הֹלֵ֖ךְ (Holekh – H1980) → Who walks, goes, moves forward
- וְהָכִ֥ין (V’hachin – H3559) → To establish, prepare, direct
- צַעֲדֽוֹ (Tza’ado – H6806) → His steps, movements
Deeper Insight & Meaning:
This verse acknowledges human dependence on God’s guidance.
- “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself”
- Jeremiah recognizes human limitations.
- People cannot control their destiny without God’s direction.
- “It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps”
- Humans may make choices, but only God can truly guide their path.
- Life’s direction and purpose come from the Lord.
Practical Application:
✅ Trust God’s Plan – Instead of relying solely on our wisdom, we should seek God’s guidance.
✅ Pray for Direction – Before making big decisions, ask God to lead you in the right path.
✅ Remain Humble – We are not in control, but God is, and we must trust His perfect plan.
Cross-Reference Verses:
📖 Proverbs 16:9 (KJV): “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.”
📖 Psalm 37:23 (KJV): “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.”
Conclusion:
Jeremiah 10:23 is a humble acknowledgment that humans are not in control of their own destiny, but God is. It teaches us to surrender our plans to Him and trust His guidance in every step of life.
