Jeremiah 11:13 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 11:13 mean?

Jeremiah 11:13 says that the people of Judah had as many false gods as they had cities, and that in Jerusalem, they had set up just as many altars to a shameful idol, specifically to burn incense to Baal, as there were streets. This verse highlights the widespread and overwhelming nature of idol worship among the people of Judah.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God's message to the people of Judah during a time when they had turned away from worshiping the LORD alone. The situation is one of deep spiritual unfaithfulness, where idol worship had become so common that every city and street had its own altar to Baal. The verse uses numbers and locations to stress just how thoroughly idolatry had spread in Judah and Jerusalem.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 11:13

• "gods" (אֱלֹהִים, 'elohim'): This word can mean "gods" in a general sense, not just the true God, and here it refers to the many false gods the people were worshiping.
• "thing" (בֹּשֶׁת, boshet): This word means "shame" or "shameful thing." Jeremiah uses it to describe the idol, emphasizing how disgraceful this worship was in God's eyes.
• "Baal" (בַּעַל, Baʿal): Baal was a well-known Canaanite deity. The mention of Baal shows that the people were adopting the worship practices of surrounding nations, which was strictly forbidden in Israelite law.

Why Jeremiah 11:13 matters

• Jeremiah 11:13 clears up any idea that idol worship was just a minor problem in Judah; it was widespread and deeply rooted, affecting every city and street.
• The verse emphasizes the seriousness of turning away from the LORD to follow other gods, showing that such behavior is not just a private matter but a public and national crisis.
• By naming Baal and calling the idol "that shameful thing," Jeremiah connects this verse to a larger biblical theme: the contrast between the LORD and false gods, and the shame that comes from abandoning true worship.