Jeremiah 10:16 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name. The Portion of Jacob is not like them - Every nation had its tutelary god; this was its portion; in reference to this God says Deuteronomy 4:19, "He has divided the sun, moon, and stars, to all the nations under the heaven." And the Lord had taken the Israelites to be his portion; for "the Lord's portion is his people," Deuteronomy 32:9, and David says, "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance," Psalms 16:5; Psalms 119:67. And hence Isaiah terms the smooth stones of the brook, to which Divine honors were paid, the portion of those idolaters, Isaiah 57:6. But in the text he says, "The Portion, i.e., the God of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things," and they are formed by their foolish worshippers.