Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 7:18

Albert Barnes Commentary

Jeremiah 7:18

1798–1870
Presbyterian
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes Commentary

Jeremiah 7:18

1798–1870
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead the 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." — Jeremiah 7:18 (ASV)

Children ... fathers ... women - All members of the family take part in this idolatry.

Cakes - Probably very similar to those offered at Athens to Artemis.

To the queen of heaven - A Persian and Assyrian deity, who was supposed to symbolize a quality possessed by moonlight of giving to nature its receptive power, as the sun represented its quickening power. The moon thus became generally the symbol of female productiveness, and was worshipped as such at Babylon. Disgraceful usages to which every woman was obliged once to submit formed part of her worship.