Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 10:5

5 They are upright as the palm-tree, but speak not: they must needs be born because they cannot go: Be not afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

The nature of which is to grow upright, and tall without any branchings till it comes to the top, thereby possibly representing Majesty.

Looking as if they were about to speak, standing in a speaking posture but have not a word to utter, being only dumb stocks, wooden gods.

They move no further or faster then you lift them, either when you go to set them up, or upon any occasion of removal, as stiff as stakes being indeed but sticks.

They can do you no more harm, then the signs of heaven could do, they are but dead stocks, the Heathens worshipped some Idols that they might do them good▪ and others that they might do them no harm, but God tells them here they can do neither good, or harm, as in the next words they can neither punish nor reward, they can neither hurt their Enemies, nor help their Friends; by this the true God will be distinguished from Idols, that he alone can foretell things to come, and he alone can reward, or punish, Isa. 48.5. and therefore the Prophet endeavours to turn them off from their Idols to the true God.

Marginal references: Psal. 115.5. and 135.16.; Isa. 46.1.7.; Isa. 41.23.