Old Testament
Jeremiah 7:18
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The children gather firewood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead dough to make cakes for the queen of heaven. They pour out drink offerings to other gods just to make me angry.
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The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.
What Jeremiah 7:18 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God is highlighting the idolatrous practices of the people of Judah. The children are gathering firewood, the fathers are lighting the fire, and the women are preparing dough to bake cakes for the 'queen of heaven,' a reference to a pagan goddess. This shows a communal effort in worshiping false gods, which angers God. The act of pouring out drink offerings to other deities signifies a rejection of the true God and a commitment to idolatry. This verse illustrates the deep-seated issues of misplaced devotion and the consequences of turning away from God to worship idols, which ultimately leads to divine anger and judgment. It serves as a warning against the dangers of idolatry and the importance of remaining faithful to God alone.
How to apply Jeremiah 7:18 to your life
This verse reminds us to examine our own lives for any forms of idolatry. We should ensure that our devotion is directed solely towards God and not towards material possessions, relationships, or other distractions that can take His place in our hearts.
Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary
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Keep studying Jeremiah 7:18
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At a Glance — the Book of Jeremiah
- Author
- Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
- Written
- Around 600 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah before and during the Babylonian exile
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Jeremiah 7:18 mean?
Jeremiah 7:18 describes the idolatrous practices of the people of Judah, where children gather wood, fathers light fires, and women bake cakes for the 'queen of heaven.' This verse highlights their communal worship of false gods, which angers God.
What is the significance of the 'queen of heaven' in Jeremiah 7:18?
The 'queen of heaven' in Jeremiah 7:18 refers to a pagan goddess worshiped by the people of Judah. This title signifies their devotion to idolatry and rejection of the true God, illustrating the dangers of misplaced worship.
What does pouring out drink offerings to other gods mean in Jeremiah 7:18?
Pouring out drink offerings to other gods in Jeremiah 7:18 signifies the people's commitment to idolatry and their rejection of God. It represents a deliberate act of worship towards false deities, provoking God's anger.
How does Jeremiah 7:18 relate to idolatry today?
Jeremiah 7:18 serves as a reminder to examine our own lives for modern forms of idolatry, such as prioritizing material possessions or relationships over God. It encourages us to ensure our devotion is directed solely towards Him.
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