Jeremys letter 6:56 - Moreover they can’t withstand any king or enemies: how should a man then allow or think that they be gods?

Generated Verse: Jeremys letter 6:56

What does "Jeremys letter 6:56" mean?


This verse from the Letter of Jeremy (also known as the Epistle of Jeremy) is essentially an argument against idolatry. Let's break it down:

"Moreover they can’t withstand any king or enemies...": "They" refers to idols. The verse is saying that idols have no power to defend themselves against earthly rulers or invading forces. If a king wants to tear them down, or an enemy army wants to loot or destroy them, the idols are helpless.

"...how should a man then allow or think that they be gods?": This is the crux of the argument. If these idols are so powerless in the face of worldly threats, how can anyone possibly believe they are gods, who are supposed to be all-powerful and protective? The verse implies that attributing divinity to something so vulnerable is illogical and foolish.

In essence, the verse argues that the powerlessness of idols in the face of worldly threats proves they are not gods. It's a rhetorical question meant to highlight the absurdity of idolatry.

The broader context of the Letter of Jeremy is to expose the futility and irrationality of worshipping idols. It uses various arguments, including the fact that idols are made by human hands, that they can't protect themselves, and that they are subject to decay and destruction, to dissuade the Israelites from practicing idolatry during their exile in Babylon.

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