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At a glance
- Traditional author
- Jeremiah, as the letter presents itself (Baruch 6 in Catholic Bibles)
- Traditional date
- Presented as sent to the exiles in Babylon (early 6th century BC)
- Traditional audience
- Jews tempted by idol spectacle in foreign lands
Listed in: Septuagint (LXX).
Meaning of Letter of Jeremiah
As a whole, the Letter of Jeremiah portrays the emptiness of idols. Its polemical shape steels exiles to refuse worship that cannot speak, walk, or save.
Traditional understanding
Presented as a letter from Jeremiah to the exiles in Babylon warning against idols; Catholic Bibles print it as Baruch chapter 6, and the Orthodox receive it as a separate book. Protestants place it in the Apocrypha.
Historical context
Diaspora exposure to impressive cults that seemed powerful.
Setting of the writing
The Letter of Jeremiah addresses Jews surrounded by impressive idols. The writing setting is diaspora polemic against cult spectacle. The occasion steels hearers to refuse what cannot speak, walk, or save.
Literary shape
Extended polemic letter mocking lifeless idols. Repetition drives home the folly of worshiping what cannot save.
Themes
- idolatry
- discernment
- exile faithfulness
- true God
Letter of Jeremiah chapter by chapter
Against the idols
Letter of Jeremiah 1 — Do not fear the gods of Babylon
A letter in Jeremiah’s name tells the soon-to-be exiles that they will be in Babylon many years, and that when they see gods of silver, gold, and wood carried on shoulders, they must not become like the nations or fear them. The polemic walks through the idols’ helplessness: they cannot speak, walk, or save; priests steal their gold and clothe their wives; bats and cats sit on them; they are weapons in war and prey in fire. Repeatedly the refrain lands: they are not gods, so do not fear them. The living God who sends rain and is judge of the earth is set against this whole spectacle.
Meaning: The letter is a long act of unmasking for a people about to live inside impressive cult. Exile’s first spiritual danger is not only grief but enchantment; faithfulness here is learning to see lifelessness where the empire sees power.