“Jeremiah said
To all the people
Including all the women.
‘Hear the word of Yahweh!
All you Judeans
Who are in the land of Egypt!
Thus says Yahweh of hosts!
The God of Israel!
‘You
With your wives
Have accomplished in deeds,
What you declared in words,
Saying.
‘We are determined
To perform the vows
That we have made.
We will make offerings
To the queen of heaven.
We will pour out libations
To her.’
By all means,
Keep your vows!
Make your libations!’”
Jeremiah addressed all the people of Judah and then added all the women, as if they were not people. Jeremiah wanted them to hear the word of Yahweh that he was interpreting. He said that they and their wives had accomplished what they said that they were going to do. They were going to make offerings and libations to the “Queen of heaven,” the Canaanite goddess of fertility, Astarte. Jeremiah’s response to them was to go ahead and keep your vows with your sacrifices and drinks. Just see what happens to you!
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 