Obelisks: Good News Translation has “sacred stone monuments” and New International Version “sacred pillars.” The word occurs only here in Jeremiah, though elsewhere it refers to a standing stone, usually one that has not been cut, used either for purposes of worship, burial, or memorial. According to Deut 16.22, set stones were forbidden in Israel.

Heliopolis represents two Hebrew words that literally mean “house of the sun,” and refers to a renowned city of ancient times, located approximately eight kilometers (five miles) northeast of Cairo. In front of this temple dedicated to the sun was an avenue of standing stones.

Temples of the gods of Egypt: See verse 12.

He shall burn with fire is better rendered “he will burn down” (Good News Translation; see 21.10; 34.2, 22; 37.8, 10; 38.18, 23).

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .