Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version You, Judah, have as many gods as you have towns; and the altars you have set up to burn incense to that shameful god Baal are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.’ New Living Translation Look now, people of Judah; you have as many gods as you have towns. You have as many altars of shame—altars for burning incense to your god Baal—as there are streets in Jerusalem. English Standard Version 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. Berean Standard Bible Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, O Judah; the altars of shame you have set up—the altars to burn incense to Baal—are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.’ Berean Literal Bible For to the number of your cities are your gods, O Judah; and the number of the streets of Jerusalem you⁺ have appointed altars of shame—altars for burning incense to Baal! King James Bible 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. New King James Version For according to the number of your cities were your gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem you have set up altars to that shameful thing, altars to burn incense to Baal. New American Standard Bible For your gods are as many as your cities, Judah; and as many as the streets of Jerusalem are the altars you have set up to the shameful thing, altars for burning incense to Baal. NASB 1995 “For your gods are as many as your cities, O Judah; and as many as the streets of Jerusalem are the altars you have set up to the shameful thing, altars to burn incense to Baal. NASB 1977 “For your gods are as many as your cities, O Judah; and as many as the streets of Jerusalem are the altars you have set up to the shameful thing, altars to burn incense to Baal. Legacy Standard Bible For your gods are the number of your cities, O Judah; and the number of the streets of Jerusalem are the altars you have set up to the shameful thing, altars to burn incense to Baal. Amplified Bible For [as many as] the number of your cities are your gods, O Judah; and [as many as] the number of the streets of Jerusalem are the altars you have set up to the shameful thing, altars to burn incense to Baal. Berean Annotated Bible Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, O Judah (praised); the altars of shame you⁺ have set up—the altars to burn incense to Baal (lord)—are as many as the streets of Jerusalem (city of peace). Christian Standard Bible Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, Judah, and the altars you have set up to Shame —altars to burn incense to Baal—as numerous as the streets of Jerusalem. Holman Christian Standard Bible Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, Judah, and the altars you have set up to Shame —altars to burn incense to Baal—as numerous as the streets of Jerusalem. American Standard Version 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. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation Judah, you have as many gods as you have cities. You have set up many altars [in Jerusalem] to sacrifice to Baal. You have as many altars as there are streets in Jerusalem. Good News Translation The people of Judah have as many gods as they have cities, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem have set up as many altars for sacrifices to that disgusting god Baal as there are streets in the city. International Standard Version Judah, you have as many gods as you have towns, and you have set up as many altars to the shameful idols as there are streets in Jerusalem. You burn incense to Baal on these altars. NET Bible This is in spite of the fact that the people of Judah have as many gods as they have towns and the citizens of Jerusalem have set up as many altars to sacrifice to that disgusting god, Baal, as they have streets in the city!' New Heart English Bible For according to the number of your cities are your gods, Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have you set up altars to the shameful thing, even altars to burn incense to Baal.' Webster's Bible Translation 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 to Baal. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleYour gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, O Judah; the altars of shame you have set up—the altars to burn incense to Baal—are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.’ World English Bible For according to the number of your cities are your gods, Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem you have set up altars to the shameful thing, even altars to burn incense to Baal.’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionFor the number of your cities have been your gods, O Judah, "" And [for] the number of the streets of Jerusalem You have placed altars to a shameful thing, "" Altars to make incense to Ba‘al. Berean Literal Bible For to the number of your cities are your gods, O Judah; and the number of the streets of Jerusalem you⁺ have appointed altars of shame—altars for burning incense to Baal! Young's Literal Translation For -- the number of thy cities have been thy gods, O Judah, And -- the number of the streets of Jerusalem Ye have placed altars to a shameful thing, Altars to make perfume to Baal. Smith's Literal Translation For from the numbering of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and from the numbering of the streets of Jerusalem, ye set up altars to shame, altars to burn incense to Baal. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Juda: and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem thou hast set up altars of confusion, altars to offer sacrifice to Baalim. Catholic Public Domain Version For according to the number of your cities, so were your gods, O Judah. And according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem, so did you establish altars of confusion, altars to offer libations to Baal. New American Bible For as many as your cities are your gods, O Judah! As many as the streets of Jerusalem are the altars for sacrifice to Baal. New Revised Standard Version For your gods have become as many as your towns, O Judah; and as many as the streets of Jerusalem are the altars to shame you have set up, altars to make offerings to Baal. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor according to the number of your cities were your gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem you have set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense to Baal. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Because your gods have been according to the number of your cities, Yehuda. By the number of the streets of Jerusalem, you set up altars for disgrace, altars to present incense to Baal OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917For 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 offer unto Baal. Brenton Septuagint Translation For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Juda; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to burn incense to Baal. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Broken Covenant…12Then the cities of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to which they have been burning incense, but these gods certainly will not save them in their time of disaster. 13Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, O Judah; the altars of shame you have set up— the altars to burn incense to Baal— are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.’ 14As for you, do not pray for these people. Do not raise up a cry or a prayer on their behalf, for I will not be listening when they call out to Me in their time of disaster.… Cross References Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, O Judah; Jeremiah 2:28 But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah. 2 Chronicles 28:25 In every city of Judah he built high places to offer incense to other gods, and so he provoked the LORD, the God of his fathers. Hosea 10:1 Israel was a luxuriant vine, yielding fruit for himself. The more his fruit increased, the more he increased the altars. The better his land produced, the better he made the sacred pillars. the altars of shame you have set up— Hosea 10:8 The high places of Aven will be destroyed—it is the sin of Israel; thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!” Hosea 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the firstfruits of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to Shame; so they became as detestable as the thing they loved. 2 Kings 23:15 He even pulled down the altar at Bethel, the high place set up by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. Then he burned the high place, ground it to powder, and burned the Asherah pole. the altars to burn incense to Baal— 2 Kings 23:5 Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. 2 Kings 21:3-5 For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed, and he raised up altars for Baal. He made an Asherah pole, as King Ahab of Israel had done, and he worshiped and served all the host of heaven. / Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem I will put My Name.” / In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven. 2 Chronicles 33:3-5 For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down, and he raised up altars for the Baals and made Asherah poles. And he worshiped and served all the host of heaven. / Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” / In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven. are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.’ Ezekiel 16:24-25 you built yourself a mound and made yourself a lofty shrine in every public square. / At the head of every street you built your lofty shrines and degraded your beauty. With increasing promiscuity, you spread your legs to all who passed by. Ezekiel 16:31 But when you built your mounds at the head of every street and made your lofty shrines in every public square, you were not even like a prostitute, because you scorned payment. Hosea 4:17 Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone! 2 Kings 17:10-12 They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. / They burned incense on all the high places like the nations that the LORD had driven out before them. They did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger. / They served idols, although the LORD had told them, “You shall not do this thing.” Isaiah 2:8 Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made. Deuteronomy 32:16-17 They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with abominations. / They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear. 1 Kings 11:33 For they have forsaken Me to worship Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites. They have not walked in My ways, nor done what is right in My eyes, nor kept My statutes and judgments, as Solomon’s father David did. Treasury of Scripture For according to the number of your cities were your gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have you set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense to Baal. For according. Jeremiah 2:28 But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah. Jeremiah 3:1,2 They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD… Deuteronomy 32:16,17 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger… up altars. Jeremiah 19:5 They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind: Jeremiah 32:35 And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin. 2 Kings 21:4,5 And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name… shameful thing. Jump to Previous Altars Baal Ba'al Burn Burning Cities Gods Incense Jerusalem Judah Offer Perfumes Shame Shameful Street StreetsJump to Next Altars Baal Ba'al Burn Burning Cities Gods Incense Jerusalem Judah Offer Perfumes Shame Shameful Street StreetsJeremiah 11 1. Jeremiah proclaims God's covenant;8. rebukes the peoples' disobeying thereof; 11. prophesies evils to come upon them; 18. and upon the men of Anathoth, for conspiring to kill him. Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, O Judah; This phrase highlights the rampant idolatry in Judah during Jeremiah's time. Each city had its own deity, reflecting a departure from exclusive worship of Yahweh. This mirrors the situation in 2 Kings 17:29-31, where various gods were worshiped in Israel. The proliferation of gods indicates a deep spiritual decline and a violation of the first commandment (Exodus 20:3). Historically, this period was marked by syncretism, where the worship of Yahweh was mixed with Canaanite religious practices. the altars of shame you have set up— the altars to burn incense to Baal— are as many as the streets of Jerusalem. Persons / Places / Events 1. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. It was the primary audience of Jeremiah's prophecies. 2. Jeremiah A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and judgment to the people of Judah, urging them to repent and return to God. 3. Baal A Canaanite deity often associated with fertility and weather, whose worship was a recurring problem for the Israelites, leading them away from the worship of Yahweh. 4. Jerusalem The capital city of Judah, significant as the religious and political center, where the temple of Yahweh was located. 5. Altars of Shame Refers to the numerous altars built for idol worship, particularly for Baal, which were considered abominations in the sight of God. Teaching Points The Danger of IdolatryIdolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but anything that takes the place of God in our hearts. We must examine our lives for modern-day idols, such as money, power, or relationships. The Consequences of Unfaithfulness Just as Judah faced consequences for their idolatry, we too face spiritual consequences when we turn away from God. Repentance and returning to God are crucial. The Call to Exclusive Worship God demands exclusive worship and loyalty. We are called to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind, rejecting any form of idolatry. The Role of Prophets and Leaders Jeremiah's role as a prophet was to call out sin and guide the people back to God. Spiritual leaders today have a similar responsibility to lead with truth and integrity. The Importance of Spiritual Vigilance The proliferation of altars in Judah serves as a warning to remain vigilant in our spiritual lives, ensuring that our worship remains pure and focused on God alone. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 11:13?2. How does Jeremiah 11:13 illustrate the consequences of idolatry in our lives today? 3. What can we learn from Judah's idolatry about prioritizing God in our lives? 4. How does Jeremiah 11:13 connect with the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3? 5. In what ways can we identify and remove modern idols from our lives? 6. How can we ensure our worship remains solely focused on God, as Jeremiah warns? 7. Why did Judah have as many gods as towns in Jeremiah 11:13? 8. How does Jeremiah 11:13 reflect the consequences of idolatry? 9. What historical context led to the idolatry mentioned in Jeremiah 11:13? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 11? 11. Jeremiah 42:11-12: The text promises divine protection from Babylon; do non-biblical historical records confirm or contradict this claim? 12. Jeremiah 11:9-10: Is there archaeological or historical evidence of a widespread 'conspiracy' among Judah and Israel during Jeremiah's time? 13. Zechariah 10:6: Where is the historical proof of the promised restoration of both Judah and Joseph on a massive scale? 14. What does the Bible say about Babylon? What Does Jeremiah 11:13 Mean Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, O Judah- God speaks directly through Jeremiah, exposing the shocking spread of idolatry. Every city has adopted its own false deity, revealing a nationwide departure from covenant faithfulness (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 6:14). - The phrase exposes a heart issue: the people’s trust has shifted from the LORD who brought them out of Egypt (Jeremiah 11:4) to a multitude of substitutes. Israel was to be a light to nations (Isaiah 42:6), yet they now mirror the pagan world. - Like the divided loyalty of Ephraim in Hosea 10:1, Judah multiplies altars instead of fruit. The increase in “gods” signifies spiritual adultery (Jeremiah 3:9). The altars of shame you have set up—the altars to burn incense to Baal - “Altars of shame” underscores the moral ugliness behind the religious façade (Psalm 106:36–39). Burning incense to Baal was not innocent ritual; it violated the first two commandments (Exodus 20:3–4). - The people “set up” these altars, revealing intentional rebellion, not ignorance (Jeremiah 7:9–10). They chose cultural accommodation over covenant obedience. - Baal worship often included immorality and child sacrifice (Jeremiah 19:5), making these altars doubly offensive. God calls them “shame” because sin always degrades the worshiper (Romans 1:22–25). - Contrast: true incense was to rise only from the Temple altar (Exodus 30:7–8). By imitating pagan practice, Judah forfeited the privilege of accepted worship (Isaiah 1:13). Are as many as the streets of Jerusalem - The comparison to “streets” paints a vivid picture: idolatry saturates everyday life. Just as every path leads somewhere in the city, every direction the people turn they meet another altar (Jeremiah 2:28). - Jerusalem, meant to be “the city of the Great King” (Psalm 48:1–2), is inundated with rival shrines. Holiness is replaced by spiritual clutter. - The omnipresence of idols parallels the pervasive sin in Noah’s day when “the earth was filled with violence” (Genesis 6:11). God’s grief then foreshadows His righteous anger now (Jeremiah 11:14). - This saturation also foretells judgment: just as the idols are everywhere, so consequences will touch every street (Jeremiah 15:2). Yet God still extends mercy to any who would tear down altars and return (2 Chronicles 7:14). summary Jeremiah 11:13 shows Judah drowning in self-chosen gods, proudly erecting “altars of shame” until idolatry lines every street of Jerusalem. The verse confronts us with the seriousness of divided loyalty: multiplying substitutes for the LORD invites His judgment and robs the nation of its calling. Faithfulness means one God, one altar, one Lord—anything less invites the very shame and ruin Jeremiah warned about. (13) According to the number of thy cities . . .--This and Jeremiah 11:12 reproduce what we have heard already in Jeremiah 2:27-28; Jeremiah 7:17. The "shameful thing" is, as in Jeremiah 3:24, the image of Baal, which would seem to have been set up openly in some prominent place in every city of Judan, every street of Jerusalem. The reference is probably made, as before, to the formal recognition of Baal-worship in the days of Manasseh (2Kings 21:3; 2Chronicles 33:3), but the sin may have been repeated as soon as the restraint of Josiah's reign had been removed. . . . 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).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Your godsאֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative are הָי֥וּ (hā·yū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be indeed כִּ֚י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction as numerous מִסְפַּ֣ר (mis·par) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4557: A number, definite, indefinite, narration as your cities, עָרֶ֔יךָ (‘ā·re·ḵā) Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement O Judah, יְהוּדָ֑ה (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites and the altars מִזְבְּחוֹת֙ (miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4196: An altar you have set up שַׂמְתֶּ֤ם (śam·tem) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set to shame— לַבֹּ֔שֶׁת (lab·bō·šeṯ) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1322: Shame, shameful thing the altars מִזְבְּח֖וֹת (miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4196: An altar to burn incense לְקַטֵּ֥ר (lə·qaṭ·ṭêr) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct Strong's 6999: To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire to Baal— לַבָּֽעַל׃ (lab·bā·‘al) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1168: Baal -- a heathen god are as many וּמִסְפַּ֞ר (ū·mis·par) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4557: A number, definite, indefinite, narration as the streets חֻצ֣וֹת (ḥu·ṣō·wṯ) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 2351: Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors of Jerusalem. יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם (yə·rū·šā·lim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel Links Jeremiah 11:13 NIVJeremiah 11:13 NLT Jeremiah 11:13 ESV Jeremiah 11:13 NASB Jeremiah 11:13 KJV Jeremiah 11:13 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 11:13 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 11:13 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 11:13 French Bible Jeremiah 11:13 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 11:13 For according to the number of your (Jer.) |
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