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Jeremiah 11:13

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 11:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to the shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to the shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal.
Jeremiah 11:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, who refused to hear my words; and they are gone after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.
11Therefore thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and they shall cry unto me, but I will not hearken unto them.
12Then shall the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem go and cry unto the gods unto which they offer incense: but they will not save them at all in the time of their trouble.
13For according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to the shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal.
14Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me because of their trouble.
15What hath my beloved to do in my house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness [with] many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.
16Jehovah called thy name, A green olive-tree, fair with goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.
← Jeremiah 11:12Jeremiah 11:14 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah, etc.] (See Gill on “<240228>Jeremiah 2:28”), and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem; of which there were many, and some of notef226: have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal; one of whose names is Bosheth, “shame”; (see <280910>Hosea 9:10), hence Jerubbaal is called, in (<101121>2 Samuel 11:21), Jerubbesheth; very properly is this name given to Baal, not only because the worship of him was to the reproach of the true God, but brought shame and confusion in the issue to its worshipper; as well as because shameful things were done in the worship of it, especially of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“shameful thing--Hebrew, "shame," namely, the idol, not merely shameful, but the essence of all that is shameful (Jer 3:24; Hos 9:10), which will bring shame and confusion on yourselves [CALVIN].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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). return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“That shameful thing - Baal, called a shameful thing, because it was what they had reason to be ashamed of, and what would certainly bring them to shame and confusion. Baal - Signifies Lord, and was a common name given to more idols than one; the Phoenicians used the name Baal, the Chaldeans, Bell. Learned men say, that the Asians called the same idol Baal, whom those of Europe called Jupiter. It is not improbable, that the Heathens acknowledging one supreme being, worshipped him in several creatures; some mistaking the Sun, Moon, and Stars to be he, others, other things; these they called Baalim, Lords, as they called the principal god, Baal. Jeremiah 11:15”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“11:13 Idolatry was so rampant in Judah that not a town or street could be found without an idol present.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“For according: Jer 2:28, Jer 3:1, Jer 3:2; Deu 32:16, Deu 32:17; Kg2 23:4, Kg2 23:5, Kg2 23:13; Isa 2:8; Hos 12:11 up altars: Jer 19:5, Jer 32:35; Kg2 21:4, Kg2 21:5 shameful thing: Heb. shame Jeremiah 11:14”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 11 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification