Definition: For [according to] the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and [according to] the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to [that] shameful thing, [even] altars to burn incense unto Baal.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 11:13. It's a really important and troubling passage in the Bible. Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a serious problem of idolatry – worshipping idols instead of God. It’s saying that the people of Judah (a region near modern-day Israel) were focusing on creating their own gods and temples, and they were doing so with a very wrong and shameful purpose. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Jeremiah 11:13” : This is the verse itself – it’s from the Book of Jeremiah, a prophetic book written during a time of great trouble for Israel. “For [according to] the number of thy cities were thy gods…” This means that the people of Judah were treating their cities as if they were divine beings. They believed that the number of their cities was equal to the number of their gods. It’s a strange and unsettling idea! “O Judah” : This is a formal title, meaning “O Israel.” It's a way for Jeremiah to address the people of Judah directly. “…and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing…” This is where it gets really serious. The people of Judah were building temples and shrines in Jerusalem , specifically in the streets of the city. They were creating places to worship, but these weren’t for God! They were making offerings (altars) to a false god – Baal. “even altars to burn incense unto Baal.” This is the key part that highlights the wickedness. Baal was a Canaanite god – a deity worshipped by the people of Israel at the time. The people were building temples and offering sacrifices to this god, which is considered idolatry – worshipping something other than God. What’s the Big Message? Jeremiah 11:13 is a warning about the dangers of idolatry. It's telling us that focusing on false gods and creating places to worship them is wrong and can lead to disaster. It highlights the importance of worshipping only God – the one true creator and ruler. Why is this important? This verse demonstrates a significant shift in focus for Israel during the time of Jeremiah. It's a turning point where they started to acknowledge that their worship was wrong and dangerous. It’s a reminder that true devotion comes from worshipping God, not creating our own gods. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Talk about the context of Jeremiah 11? Discuss the historical significance of this passage?