Jeremiah 11:13
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Jeremiah highlights that the people's idolatry wasn't just a few stray altars, but a pervasive infestation, as numerous as their cities and streets. Calling Baal "that shameful thing" isn't just an insult; it's a prophetic descriptor of how this very worship would ultimately bring them to ruin and profound disgrace.
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)
Jeremiah is confronting Judah for their widespread idolatry, emphasizing that their devotion has been scattered across every city and street. This verse directly follows God's declaration that He will bring inescapable disaster upon them, and that their cries for help will go unanswered. The sheer number of gods and altars built to Baal highlights the depth of their spiritual unfaithfulness, demonstrating why God's judgment is imminent.
Jeremiah paints a stark picture: not just a few idols, but gods popping up everywhere. What does this tell us about the depth of Israel's spiritual decay?
Jeremiah uses hyperbole to emphasize the pervasive nature of idolatry in Judah. The prophet declares that the number of gods worshipped mirrored the number of cities in Judah, and the number of altars dedicated to Baal matched the number of streets in Jerusalem. This wasn't a minor, hidden sin; it was public, widespread, and deeply embedded in the fabric of their society. It shows a complete abandonment of the one true God and a desperate grasping for any and every supposed divine power that might offer help or favor.
The text calls the idol 'that shameful thing.' Why this loaded description, and what was Baal really about?
The name 'Baal' itself means 'Lord' or 'Master.' However, in this context, the prophet uses a term that translates to 'shame' or 'shameful thing.' This is a deliberate wordplay and a profound indictment. It signifies that Baal worship was not only a disgrace to God but also ultimately brought shame and confusion to its worshippers. This worship was often associated with fertility rites, promiscuity, and pagan practices that were morally corrupt and spiritually deadening. By calling Baal 'that shameful thing,' Jeremiah underscores the utter worthlessness and degrading nature of this idolatry.
Understand the original words
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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 sharp words in this verse paint a picture of a nation drowning in idolatry, where every city and street corner has become a shrine to false gods like Baal. This widespread apostasy, particularly potent after the death of the reform-minded King Josiah, underscores the people's deep-seated rebellion against the LORD, setting the stage for divine judgment.
c. 705-642 BC
Reign of Manasseh
King Manasseh of Judah actively promoted idolatry, building altars to Baal and Asherah, and setting up an Asherah pole in the Jerusalem temple. This period deeply entrenched syncretistic worship practices within the kingdom.
640-609 BC
Josiah's Reforms
King Josiah launched a major religious reformation, purging the Jerusalem temple of idolatrous objects and practices, and centralizing worship at the Jerusalem Temple. This temporarily suppressed widespread idolatry.
c. 626 BC
Jeremiah Begins Prophesying
Jeremiah starts his prophetic ministry during the reign of Josiah. His early prophecies often address the people's persistent turning away from God, even during periods of reform.
609 BC— this verse
Death of Josiah
King Josiah is killed in battle at Megiddo. His death marks a turning point, leading to a rapid decline in religious and political stability, and the resurgence of forbidden practices.
c. 609-598 BC
Post-Josiah Religious Decline
Following Josiah's death, his successors (Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim) were less committed to his reforms. Idolatrous worship, including altars to Baal, began to flourish again throughout Judah, particularly in Jerusalem, as the people abandoned the covenant.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports King Jehoiachin and a significant portion of Jerusalem's elite to Babylon. This event signals the impending doom of Judah and highlights the failure of their religious practices to secure divine protection.
This passage echoes the shame associated with idolatry, calling out how 'shameful things' consumed their ancestors, directly linking to the 'shameful thing' (Baal) mentioned in Jeremiah 11:13.
Hosea 9:10Hosea highlights a similar deep-seated spiritual corruption, referring to the 'shame' and Baal worship that separated Israel from God, underscoring the pervasive nature of this sin.
1 Kings 18:18-19This account of Elijah confronting the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel vividly illustrates the widespread devotion to Baal in Israel, showing the scale of the idolatry Jeremiah was condemning.
Romans 1:23Paul describes a similar pattern of exchanging the truth of God for a lie, worshipping created things instead of the Creator, which serves as a New Testament parallel to Judah's pervasive idolatry.
2 Kings 21:3This passage details King Manasseh's extensive promotion of Baal worship and setting up altars, providing historical context for the deep-rooted and widespread nature of the sin Jeremiah is addressing.
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).
Jeremiah highlights that the people's idolatry wasn't just a few stray altars, but a pervasive infestation, as numerous as their cities and streets. Calling Baal "that shameful thing" isn't just an insult; it's a prophetic descriptor of how this very worship would ultimately bring them to ruin and profound disgrace.
Jeremiah is confronting Judah for their widespread idolatry, emphasizing that their devotion has been scattered across every city and street. This verse directly follows God's declaration that He will bring inescapable disaster upon them, and that their cries for help will go unanswered. The sheer number of gods and altars built to Baal highlights the depth of their spiritual unfaithfulness, demonstrating why God's judgment is imminent.
Jeremiah is confronting Judah for their widespread idolatry, emphasizing that their devotion has been scattered across every city and street. This verse directly follows God's declaration that He will bring inescapable disaster upon them, and that their cries for help will go unanswered. The sheer number of gods and altars built to Baal highlights the depth of their spiritual unfaithfulness, demonstrating why God's judgment is imminent.
"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." — Jeremiah highlights that the people's idolatry wasn't just a few stray altars, but a pervasive infestation, as numerous as their cities and streets. Calling Baal "that shameful thing" isn't just an i…
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Last reviewed October 2026
