Jeremys letter 6:59 - Therefore it is better to be a king that shows his manhood, or else a vessel in a house profitable for that whereof the owner shall have need, than such false gods; or even a door in a house, to keep the things safe that be therein, than such false gods; or a pillar of wood in a palace, than such false gods.
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What does "Jeremys letter 6:59" mean?
The verse you quoted from "Jeremy's Letter" (also known as the Letter of Jeremiah, or Baruch 6) is a sarcastic and satirical attack on the worship of idols. It's saying that even the most humble, mundane, and useful objects are superior to these false gods.
Let's break it down:
"Therefore it is better to be a king that shows his manhood...": This is saying a human king (who, by definition of that time, should be a man of strength and action) is better than an idol. Even an imperfect, earthly ruler is more valuable than a lifeless, powerless statue.
"...or else a vessel in a house profitable for that whereof the owner shall have need...": Now the argument shifts to a common household object. A useful vessel (like a bowl or a jug) is better than an idol because it actually serves a purpose. It has practical value.
"...than such false gods; or even a door in a house, to keep the things safe that be therein...": The argument descends further. Even a simple door, whose function is to secure a house, is better than an idol. The door has a function: to protect. The idol is useless.
"...than such false gods; or a pillar of wood in a palace, than such false gods.": The final comparison is to a pillar supporting a palace. The pillar, while not flashy, is essential to the structure's stability. It has a vital function. It's more worthy than an idol.
In essence, the passage is arguing that:
Idols are useless and powerless. They cannot provide any benefit or fulfill any practical purpose.
Anything with utility, even the most ordinary object, is superior to an idol.
The idols are therefore worthy of ridicule, not reverence.
Context within the Letter of Jeremiah:
The entire letter is a polemic against idolatry, written to the Jewish exiles in Babylon to dissuade them from adopting Babylonian religious practices. The author uses satire and irony to demonstrate the absurdity of idol worship, pointing out that idols are made by human hands, cannot move or speak, and are easily stolen or damaged. The writer’s main purpose is to encourage the exiles to remain faithful to their own religion and to avoid the idolatry that was prevalent in Babylonian society.
The verse you quoted contributes to this larger argument by illustrating, in a very down-to-earth way, the complete lack of value and power possessed by these false gods. It drives home the point that even the most insignificant, functional items in daily life are more deserving of respect than these man-made objects of worship.
Jeremys letter 6:59 - Therefore it is better to be a king that shows his manhood, or else a vessel in a house profitable for that whereof the owner shall have need, than such false gods; or even a door in a house, to keep the things safe that be therein, than such false gods; or a pillar of wood in a palace, than such false gods.
What does "Jeremys letter 6:59" mean?
The verse you quoted from "Jeremy's Letter" (also known as the Letter of Jeremiah, or Baruch 6) is a sarcastic and satirical attack on the worship of idols. It's saying that even the most humble, mundane, and useful objects are superior to these false gods.
Let's break it down:
"Therefore it is better to be a king that shows his manhood...": This is saying a human king (who, by definition of that time, should be a man of strength and action) is better than an idol. Even an imperfect, earthly ruler is more valuable than a lifeless, powerless statue.
"...or else a vessel in a house profitable for that whereof the owner shall have need...": Now the argument shifts to a common household object. A useful vessel (like a bowl or a jug) is better than an idol because it actually serves a purpose. It has practical value.
"...than such false gods; or even a door in a house, to keep the things safe that be therein...": The argument descends further. Even a simple door, whose function is to secure a house, is better than an idol. The door has a function: to protect. The idol is useless.
"...than such false gods; or a pillar of wood in a palace, than such false gods.": The final comparison is to a pillar supporting a palace. The pillar, while not flashy, is essential to the structure's stability. It has a vital function. It's more worthy than an idol.
In essence, the passage is arguing that:
Idols are useless and powerless. They cannot provide any benefit or fulfill any practical purpose.
Anything with utility, even the most ordinary object, is superior to an idol.
The idols are therefore worthy of ridicule, not reverence.
Context within the Letter of Jeremiah:
The entire letter is a polemic against idolatry, written to the Jewish exiles in Babylon to dissuade them from adopting Babylonian religious practices. The author uses satire and irony to demonstrate the absurdity of idol worship, pointing out that idols are made by human hands, cannot move or speak, and are easily stolen or damaged. The writer’s main purpose is to encourage the exiles to remain faithful to their own religion and to avoid the idolatry that was prevalent in Babylonian society.
The verse you quoted contributes to this larger argument by illustrating, in a very down-to-earth way, the complete lack of value and power possessed by these false gods. It drives home the point that even the most insignificant, functional items in daily life are more deserving of respect than these man-made objects of worship.