Jeremiah 11:13
For your gods have become as many as your cities, O Judah, and as many as the streets of Jerusalem are the altars you have set up to shame, altars to make offerings to Baal.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse paints a picture of overwhelming idolatry, suggesting that Judah didn't just have some false gods, but as many as their cities, and altars to Baal on every street corner. This isn't just about quantity; it highlights the normalization of worship to "that shameful thing," indicating how deeply ingrained and publicly displayed their rebellion against God had become.
Jeremiah is denouncing Judah's rampant idolatry, a betrayal of their covenant with God. He’s highlighting how their worship has become as widespread and ingrained as the very cities and streets they inhabit. This verse directly follows God's declaration that He will bring inescapable disaster upon them and will not listen to their cries, emphasizing that their numerous false gods offer no protection.
Imagine a world where every town and village had its own unique deity. Jeremiah paints a vivid picture of Judah’s spiritual landscape – a land overrun by idols.
Jeremiah 11:13 reveals a shocking level of idolatry. The prophet declares that Judah's gods were as numerous as its cities, and their altars, set up in every street of Jerusalem, were dedicated to Baal. This wasn't just a few misplaced statues; it was a pervasive, deeply ingrained corruption. The sheer quantity of gods and altars signifies a complete abandonment of the one true God, a spiritual bankruptcy where worship was scattered among countless false objects of devotion. This over-proliferation wasn't born of genuine faith but a desperate, misguided attempt to appease various imagined powers, a trend that historically led to a compounding of errors and superstitions.
Why call this idol 'Baal,' and why is it described as 'that shameful thing'? This wasn't just a name; it was a loaded term packed with judgment.
The term 'Baal' itself meant 'Lord' or 'Master,' but in Jeremiah’s day, it had become synonymous with a profoundly shameful and degrading form of idolatry. The commentators highlight that calling Baal 'that shameful thing' (or 'the shame') was a deliberate choice by the prophet to convey utter disgrace. This worship was not only an affront to God but would ultimately bring shame upon the worshippers themselves. It represented a deep moral and spiritual rot, often associated with practices that were ethically corrupt and sexually immoral. This condemnation was particularly pointed, as the very name 'Baal' became a byword for everything that was dishonorable and would lead to confusion and ruin.
Understand the original words
mizbeach · Hebrew Noun
A structure built for the purpose of offering sacrifices, symbolizing a place of encounter between the human and the divine. In contexts of apostasy, these represent the worship of false gods.
Ba'al · Hebrew Proper Noun
A Canaanite storm god; the name represents the primary false religion that constantly tempted Israel away from the worship of YHWH.
Jeremiah's prophecy highlights the pervasive and deeply ingrained nature of idolatry in Judah, suggesting that the sin was so widespread it was present in every city and street, even after periods of reform. This context underscores the imminent judgment that would fall upon the nation.
c. 700-650 BC
Reign of Manasseh
King Manasseh of Judah led a widespread revival of pagan worship, establishing altars to Baal and other foreign gods throughout Jerusalem and the land. This era marked a significant departure from Yahweh worship.
c. 640-609 BC
Reign of Josiah
King Josiah initiated a major religious reformation, purging idolatry and re-establishing the worship of Yahweh. While this temporarily halted outward idolatry, the deep-seated pagan practices left a lasting impact.
After Josiah's Reign— this verse
Resurgence of Idolatry
Following the reforms of Josiah and the subsequent instability of the kingdom, the people of Judah largely reverted to their old ways, re-establishing pagan worship practices.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon exiled many prominent citizens of Judah, including King Jehoiachin, to Babylon. This was a direct consequence of Judah's repeated unfaithfulness and rebellion against God.
This passage describes Israel's widespread idolatry, similar to Jeremiah's accusation, where they served many gods after leaving Egypt and throughout the land.
1 Kings 18:18-19Elijah confronts Ahab about Israel's infidelity and the large number of prophets of Baal, highlighting the pervasive nature of this specific idolatrous worship.
Jeremiah 2:28This earlier prophecy from Jeremiah makes a very similar accusation, stating that Judah had as many gods as cities, reinforcing the theme of rampant and pervasive idolatry.
Hosea 9:10Hosea also uses the term 'shameful thing' in reference to Baal, connecting the concept of shame and disgrace directly to the worship of this idol.
Romans 1:21-23Paul describes how humanity, knowing God, chose not to honor Him, leading to foolish hearts and worship of created things instead of the Creator, a spiritual parallel to Judah's abandonment of God for idols.
barnesJeremiah 11:13: "For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal."
That shameful thing - i. e., Baal; public establishment of idolatry, such as actually took place in the reign of Manasseh ( 2 Chronicles 33:3 . Contrast 2 Kings 18:4 ).
pulpitJeremiah 11:13: "For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal."
Verse 13. - That shameful thing; rather, the shame. The name Baal is changed, to mark the abhorrence of the speaker, into Bosheth (see Jeremiah 3:24). Manasseh, we are told, "raised up altars for Baal" (2 Kings 21:3).
The verse paints a picture of overwhelming idolatry, suggesting that Judah didn't just have some false gods, but as many as their cities, and altars to Baal on every street corner. This isn't just about quantity; it highlights the normalization of worship to "that shameful thing," indicating how deeply ingrained and publicly displayed their rebellion against God had become.
Jeremiah is denouncing Judah's rampant idolatry, a betrayal of their covenant with God. He’s highlighting how their worship has become as widespread and ingrained as the very cities and streets they inhabit. This verse directly follows God's declaration that He will bring inescapable disaster upon them and will not listen to their cries, emphasizing that their numerous false gods offer no protection.
Jeremiah is denouncing Judah's rampant idolatry, a betrayal of their covenant with God. He’s highlighting how their worship has become as widespread and ingrained as the very cities and streets they inhabit. This verse directly follows God's declaration that He will bring inescapable disaster upon them and will not listen to their cries, emphasizing that their numerous false gods offer no protection.
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586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, ending the Davidic monarchy and exiling the remaining population to Babylon. This was the ultimate consequence of Judah's persistent idolatry and disobedience.
"For your gods have become as many as your cities, O Judah, and as many as the streets of Jerusalem are the altars you have set up to shame, altars to make offerings to Baal." — The verse paints a picture of overwhelming idolatry, suggesting that Judah didn't just have some false gods, but as many as their cities, and altars to Baal on every street corner. This isn't just…
