Jeremys letter 6:24 - Notwithstanding the gold wherewith they are beset to make them beautiful, except one wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for not even when they were molten did they feel it.
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What does "Jeremys letter 6:24" mean?
This verse from Jeremy's Letter 6:24 (part of the Book of Baruch, an apocryphal book of the Old Testament) uses a metaphor about idols to criticize their uselessness and lack of power. Let's break it down:
"Notwithstanding the gold wherewith they are beset to make them beautiful..." This acknowledges that idols are often adorned with gold and other precious materials to appear attractive and impressive. The word "notwithstanding" means "despite" or "in spite of". So, despite the gold, the following point remains true.
"...except one wipe off the rust, they will not shine..." This is the key metaphorical point. Even with all that gold, an idol needs to be cleaned (of rust, in this case, representing neglect or disuse) to actually shine or appear magnificent. This emphasizes their dependence on humans for even the most basic upkeep. The shine symbolizes their perceived power and value.
"...for not even when they were molten did they feel it." This drives home the lack of inherent power in idols. When they were being formed from molten metal, they were insentient. They did not experience the heat or the molding process. They are inanimate objects without consciousness or feeling.
Overall Meaning:
The verse is a critique of idolatry, arguing that idols are fundamentally useless and powerless. Here's a breakdown of the overall point:
Superficiality: The idols' beauty is only skin-deep (literally gold plating) and requires constant human effort to maintain.
Dependence: They are entirely dependent on humans for their care and upkeep. They cannot even clean themselves or make themselves shine.
Lack of Sentience: They are fundamentally inanimate objects, lacking any ability to feel, think, or act. This highlights the absurdity of attributing any power or divinity to them.
In essence, the verse argues that idols are deceptive, requiring human intervention to even appear impressive, and ultimately possess no inherent power or intelligence. They are just objects, not divine beings worthy of worship. The verse intends to mock and discredit the practice of idolatry.
Jeremys letter 6:24 - Notwithstanding the gold wherewith they are beset to make them beautiful, except one wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for not even when they were molten did they feel it.
What does "Jeremys letter 6:24" mean?
This verse from Jeremy's Letter 6:24 (part of the Book of Baruch, an apocryphal book of the Old Testament) uses a metaphor about idols to criticize their uselessness and lack of power. Let's break it down:
"Notwithstanding the gold wherewith they are beset to make them beautiful..." This acknowledges that idols are often adorned with gold and other precious materials to appear attractive and impressive. The word "notwithstanding" means "despite" or "in spite of". So, despite the gold, the following point remains true.
"...except one wipe off the rust, they will not shine..." This is the key metaphorical point. Even with all that gold, an idol needs to be cleaned (of rust, in this case, representing neglect or disuse) to actually shine or appear magnificent. This emphasizes their dependence on humans for even the most basic upkeep. The shine symbolizes their perceived power and value.
"...for not even when they were molten did they feel it." This drives home the lack of inherent power in idols. When they were being formed from molten metal, they were insentient. They did not experience the heat or the molding process. They are inanimate objects without consciousness or feeling.
Overall Meaning:
The verse is a critique of idolatry, arguing that idols are fundamentally useless and powerless. Here's a breakdown of the overall point:
Superficiality: The idols' beauty is only skin-deep (literally gold plating) and requires constant human effort to maintain.
Dependence: They are entirely dependent on humans for their care and upkeep. They cannot even clean themselves or make themselves shine.
Lack of Sentience: They are fundamentally inanimate objects, lacking any ability to feel, think, or act. This highlights the absurdity of attributing any power or divinity to them.
In essence, the verse argues that idols are deceptive, requiring human intervention to even appear impressive, and ultimately possess no inherent power or intelligence. They are just objects, not divine beings worthy of worship. The verse intends to mock and discredit the practice of idolatry.