Jeremiah Chapter 19 Verses 1 to 11

Jeremiah 19 speaks of how the glory of Jerusalem had become dimmed. The holy stones lie scattered at the head of every street, but what they are is not immediately obvious. Some have suggested a reference to the precious stones that are part of the garments of the High Priest and other precious stones associated with the temple. A more natural interpretation would be as areference to the stones of the temple itself. In the distress of the siege which led to extreme famine, the people became desperate and cruel - no longer even showing maternal tenderness. Once again dying infants and starving children are presented as a particularly powerful image of the city of Jerusalem and its people.