Jeremiah 11:12-14 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Bible Comments

Then shall the cities of Judah cry unto the gods, &c. “When great calamities threaten men, their fears suggest all possible ways of seeking for succour. Thus, when the Jews found themselves forsaken of God, they betook themselves to idols, but found all such applications vain, and to no purpose: see 2 Chronicles 28:23. For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, &c. See note on Jeremiah 2:28. Ye have set up altars to that shameful thing Hebrew, בשׁת, bosheth, shame, so called, because it was what they had cause to be ashamed of, and what would certainly bring them to shame and confusion. See note on Jeremiah 3:24. Therefore pray not thou for this people See note on Jeremiah 7:16.

Jeremiah 11:12-14

12 Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.c

13 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.

14 Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.d