Jeremys letter 6:22 - upon their bodies and heads alight bats, swallows, and birds; and in like manner the cats also.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Jeremys letter 6:22" mean?
This verse, from the apocryphal book known as the Letter of Jeremiah (also sometimes called Baruch 6), is a satirical description of idols. It's meant to highlight the lifelessness and inefficacy of these supposed gods. Let's break it down:
"Upon their bodies and heads alight bats, swallows, and birds..." This describes the physical state of the idols. Birds and bats are landing and even defecating on them. A real god would presumably not allow this. It shows that these idols are just inanimate objects, no different than a rock or a statue in a park. They have no power to prevent such things from happening.
"...and in like manner the cats also." This reinforces the point. Cats are also using the idols, perhaps climbing on them, rubbing against them, or even urinating on them. The addition of cats, seen as domestic animals, further diminishes the reverence expected for a deity.
Overall Meaning:
The verse is ridiculing the idea of idols as gods. It argues that because they are vulnerable to defilement by animals, they cannot be powerful, divine beings worthy of worship. The imagery is deliberately unflattering and even disgusting, meant to shock and disgust the reader into rejecting idolatry. The Letter of Jeremiah is designed to persuade Jewish exiles in Babylon to remain true to their faith and not succumb to the surrounding pagan practices.
Jeremys letter 6:22 - upon their bodies and heads alight bats, swallows, and birds; and in like manner the cats also.
What does "Jeremys letter 6:22" mean?
This verse, from the apocryphal book known as the Letter of Jeremiah (also sometimes called Baruch 6), is a satirical description of idols. It's meant to highlight the lifelessness and inefficacy of these supposed gods. Let's break it down:
"Upon their bodies and heads alight bats, swallows, and birds..." This describes the physical state of the idols. Birds and bats are landing and even defecating on them. A real god would presumably not allow this. It shows that these idols are just inanimate objects, no different than a rock or a statue in a park. They have no power to prevent such things from happening.
"...and in like manner the cats also." This reinforces the point. Cats are also using the idols, perhaps climbing on them, rubbing against them, or even urinating on them. The addition of cats, seen as domestic animals, further diminishes the reverence expected for a deity.
Overall Meaning:
The verse is ridiculing the idea of idols as gods. It argues that because they are vulnerable to defilement by animals, they cannot be powerful, divine beings worthy of worship. The imagery is deliberately unflattering and even disgusting, meant to shock and disgust the reader into rejecting idolatry. The Letter of Jeremiah is designed to persuade Jewish exiles in Babylon to remain true to their faith and not succumb to the surrounding pagan practices.