Epistle of Jeremiah in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE

The Epistle of Jeremiah is a deuterocanonical book included in the Septuagint but not found in the Hebrew Bible. This epistle is considered an apocryphal work that is appended to the Book of Baruch in some versions of the Bible. It is not to be confused with the Book of Jeremiah, which is a separate prophetic book in the Old Testament. The Epistle of Jeremiah is a short text consisting of only one chapter. It addresses the issue of idolatry and warns against the worship of false gods, particularly the worship of idols made of wood, silver, and gold. The author condemns those who create these idols as well as those who worship them, emphasizing the futility and foolishness of idol worship. This epistle reflects the concerns of the Jewish people during the Hellenistic period when they were surrounded by cultures that practiced idolatry. It serves as a reminder of the importance of staying faithful to the one true God and avoiding the temptations of idol worship. While the Epistle of Jeremiah is not included in the canon of the Hebrew Bible or most Protestant versions of the Old Testament, it is considered canonical by some branches of Christianity, including the Eastern Orthodox Church. It provides valuable insight into the religious beliefs and practices of the ancient Jewish people and serves as a cautionary tale against the dangers of straying from true faith.