John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 11:13

"For according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to the shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal." — Jeremiah 11:13 (ASV)

The Prophet shows here that the Jews were not only polluted with one kind of superstition, but that they sought for themselves fictitious gods from all quarters, so that the land was filled and, as it were, deluged with innumerable superstitions. He says that in proportion to the number of cities were the gods in the kingdom of Judah, and that in every city, in proportion to the number of streets, altars were built, that they might burn incense to Baal.

There seems, however, to be some inconsistency in the words; for if they all worshipped Baal, where could be found the multitude of gods which the Prophet condemns? It then follows, that there was everywhere the same form of superstition, or that they did not in every place burn incense to Baal.

But from this place and from others we may gather that this is a common name; for though all idols had their distinctive names, yet this name was applied indiscriminately, and all idols had it in common. For what does Baal mean but a patron, or an inferior god, who procured the favor of the supreme God?

The prophets often use the word in the plural number, and call the lesser or inferior gods Baalim, who were regarded as mediators or angels; and further, they often mean all kinds of idols by Baal. Here, we should understand a figure of speech by which a part is taken for the whole; for the Prophet intended by the word to include all those gods which the Jews had devised for themselves, though their names were different.

But what the Prophet condemned in the people was, as we see, daily practiced. For there is no end when men once depart ever so little from the pure worship of the only true God: for when anything is blended with it, one error immediately produces another; so various errors will accumulate, until men fall into a labyrinth from which there is no exit.

This is clearly seen under the Papacy. At first Satan, by spurious pretences, led men away from the simple worship of God and his pure doctrine; and as there is in all an inbred curiosity, every one had a desire to add something of his own. Thus it happened that so great a mass of errors and superstitions has prevailed.

It is not strange, then, that the Prophet condemned the Jews, not only for having departed from the true and lawful worship of God, but also for having as many idols as cities, and for having so many forms of worship as there were streets in their cities.

From this we also learn that all the superstitions among the whole people had the same root; for though they differed in particulars, they all still proceeded from the same principle, as every one wished to have his own God.

Consequently, every city had its patron, and every family also devised a god for itself, for no one was satisfied with the common worship.

It is then entirely necessary that we should faithfully worship the one true God; otherwise, the Devil will immediately bring in strange gods and a mixed multitude of gods.

Thus it is evident that we therefore justly suffer for our impious levity in forsaking the fountain of living waters.

He says that altars were built for reproach. This may be referred to God, because they offered God a heinous effrontery in setting up their profane altars in opposition to that one true altar which God had commanded to be built for him in the temple.

But this is a strained interpretation. It is more suitable to refer this to the people, because they erected altars for themselves to their own shame. It is as if he had said that the Jews were themselves the authors of all their evils, so that they ought to consider them as due to their impiety, being the punishments inflicted by the Lord.

It is the same as if he had said, “God will indeed chastise you, as you are worthy of being so treated, but ascribe the whole fault to yourselves; for the altars, raised by your own hands, will be to you for reproach and shame.”

Finally, he adds, To offer incense to Baal. They doubtless sought the favor of the supreme God. But as they devised for themselves patrons—mediators between them and God, according to the Platonic figment that has prevailed in all ages—the Prophet here declares that their gods were as many as their cities, and even as many as their streets.

For God does not admit those sophistical subtleties by which hypocrites seek to escape, because whenever his glory is transferred to others, he complains that new gods are introduced.