Baruch Chapter 6 Summary - Key Points & Themes

Read Baruch Chapter 6 Summary

Chapter 6 is a separate work, 'a copy of an epistle, which Jeremy sent' to those about to be deported. They will stay in Babylon seven generations and see gods of silver, gold and wood carried on shoulders; they must not fear them but say in their hearts, 'O Lord, we must worship thee.' The letter then mocks these idols at length: priests steal their gold, bats and swallows sit on their heads, smoke blackens their faces, and they cannot rise if they fall or give rain to anyone. Its refrain, 'therefore fear them not', returns until the closing line: 'Better therefore is the just man that hath none idols.'

Characters in This Chapter

Baruch

Jeremiah's scribe, to whom the book is attributed; he reads it to the exiles in Babylon

Jeremiah

Prophet named as the sender of the letter against idols in chapter 6

Nebuchadnezzar

King of Babylon who deported Jechonias, and for whose life the exiles ask Jerusalem to pray

Places in This Chapter

Babylon

City of exile where Baruch reads his book and whose idols the Letter of Jeremiah mocks

Jerusalem

Ruined city that receives the exiles' gift, mourns as a widow and is told to put on glory

The Temple

House of the Lord laid waste, to which the silver vessels are sent back

Position in Book

The Book Read in BabylonChapters 1

The Confession of the ExilesChapters 2

Where Wisdom Is FoundChapters 3

Jerusalem Comforts Her ChildrenChapters 4-5

The Letter of JeremiahChapters 6

Jeremiah warns the deportees not to fear the idols of Babylon, which cannot speak, move, save or bless.