A frequent misinterpretation dismisses this as irrelevant ancient history about pagan worship, overlooking its timeless warning against modern forms of idolatry like materialism, power, or self-worship that multiply in proportion to societal opportunities and rival God's place; another error reduces the rebuke to mere cultural critique without recognizing the covenantal betrayal's severity, portraying God's jealousy as petty rather than righteous zeal for holiness.
Jeremiah 11:13
King James Version (1769)
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.
God through Jeremiah condemns Judah's rampant idolatry, declaring they have as many gods as cities and Baal altars lining every street in Jerusalem, exposing their profound unfaithfulness to the covenant by chasing false gods instead of exclusive worship of Yahweh, which invites divine judgment for breaking the sacred agreement established at Sinai.