Jeremys letter 6:72 - And you⌃ shall know them to be no gods by the bright purple that rots upon them: And they themselves afterward shall be consumed, and shall be a reproach in the country.
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What does "Jeremys letter 6:72" mean?
This verse, from the apocryphal Book of Baruch (specifically, Jeremy's Letter 6:72, which is sometimes appended to the Book of Baruch), is a piece of satirical polemic against idolatry. Let's break down what it likely means:
"And you shall know them to be no gods..." This is the key point: the verse is asserting the falsity of idols, arguing that they are not true deities.
"...by the bright purple that rots upon them..." Purple dye, in ancient times, was extremely expensive and associated with royalty and high status. The verse ironically suggests that these idols, often dressed in finery like purple cloth, are subject to decay and corruption. The fact that the purple rots is significant. It underscores the mortality and impermanence of the idols. Real gods wouldn't be subject to such decay.
"...And they themselves afterward shall be consumed..." This emphasizes the ultimate destruction of the idols. Not only does their expensive clothing rot, but the idols themselves will be destroyed. This could be referring to natural decay (wood rotting, stone crumbling) or to intentional destruction by those who abandon or conquer the idol-worshippers.
"...and shall be a reproach in the country." The final indignity: these idols, once objects of veneration, will become objects of scorn and mockery ("reproach") in the land. They'll be a shameful reminder of a false belief.
In essence, the verse is arguing:
"Look at these idols! They're dressed in fancy purple clothes, but that purple rots! And eventually, the idols themselves will crumble and be destroyed. How can something so easily destroyed be a god? Ultimately, people will see them for what they are – worthless idols that bring shame on those who worshipped them."
The purpose of the verse is to:
Discredit idolatry: By highlighting the physical decay and ultimate worthlessness of idols, the author seeks to undermine faith in them.
Encourage monotheism: Implicitly, the verse promotes the worship of a single, true, and imperishable God, in contrast to the perishable and powerless idols.
Use satire and irony: The passage uses mockery to make its point, making it more memorable and persuasive to its audience.
In short, it's a clever and biting attack on idolatry, using the very trappings of idol-worship (expensive clothing) to demonstrate its ultimate futility and foolishness.
Jeremys letter 6:72 - And you⌃ shall know them to be no gods by the bright purple that rots upon them: And they themselves afterward shall be consumed, and shall be a reproach in the country.
What does "Jeremys letter 6:72" mean?
This verse, from the apocryphal Book of Baruch (specifically, Jeremy's Letter 6:72, which is sometimes appended to the Book of Baruch), is a piece of satirical polemic against idolatry. Let's break down what it likely means:
"And you shall know them to be no gods..." This is the key point: the verse is asserting the falsity of idols, arguing that they are not true deities.
"...by the bright purple that rots upon them..." Purple dye, in ancient times, was extremely expensive and associated with royalty and high status. The verse ironically suggests that these idols, often dressed in finery like purple cloth, are subject to decay and corruption. The fact that the purple rots is significant. It underscores the mortality and impermanence of the idols. Real gods wouldn't be subject to such decay.
"...And they themselves afterward shall be consumed..." This emphasizes the ultimate destruction of the idols. Not only does their expensive clothing rot, but the idols themselves will be destroyed. This could be referring to natural decay (wood rotting, stone crumbling) or to intentional destruction by those who abandon or conquer the idol-worshippers.
"...and shall be a reproach in the country." The final indignity: these idols, once objects of veneration, will become objects of scorn and mockery ("reproach") in the land. They'll be a shameful reminder of a false belief.
In essence, the verse is arguing:
"Look at these idols! They're dressed in fancy purple clothes, but that purple rots! And eventually, the idols themselves will crumble and be destroyed. How can something so easily destroyed be a god? Ultimately, people will see them for what they are – worthless idols that bring shame on those who worshipped them."
The purpose of the verse is to:
Discredit idolatry: By highlighting the physical decay and ultimate worthlessness of idols, the author seeks to undermine faith in them.
Encourage monotheism: Implicitly, the verse promotes the worship of a single, true, and imperishable God, in contrast to the perishable and powerless idols.
Use satire and irony: The passage uses mockery to make its point, making it more memorable and persuasive to its audience.
In short, it's a clever and biting attack on idolatry, using the very trappings of idol-worship (expensive clothing) to demonstrate its ultimate futility and foolishness.