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Jeremiah 7:31

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They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Hinnom so they could burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I never commanded, nor did it even enter My mind.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 31

The prophet having in God's name reproved the people for their sins, and given them warning of the judgments of God that were coming upon them, in this chapter prosecutes the same intention for their humiliation and awakening. I. He shows them the invalidity of the plea they so much relied on, that they had the temple of God among them and constantly attended the service of it, and endeavours to take them off from their confidence in their external privileges and performances (Jer 7:1-11). II. He reminds them of the desolations of Shiloh, and foretels that such should be the desolations of Jerusalem (Jer 7:12-16). III. He represents to the prophet their abominable idolatries, for which he was thus incensed against them (Jer 7:17-20). IV. He sets before the people that fundamental maxim of religion that "to obey is better than sacrifice" (Sa1 15:22), and that God would not accept the sacrifices of those that obstinately persisted in disobedience (Jer 7:21-28). V. He threatens to lay the land utterly waste for their idolatry and impiety, and to multiply their slain as they had multiplied their sin (Jer 7:29-34).

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 31

בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בָּמָה (bâmâh, H1116) — an elevation תֹּפֶת (Tôpheth, H8612) — Topheth, a place near Jerusalem גַּיְא (gayʼ, H1516) — a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… הִנֹּם (Hinnôm, H2011) — Hinnom, apparently a Jebusite שָׂרַף (sâraph, H8313) — to be (causatively, set) on fire בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the…

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

II Kings 23:10rank 7

He also desecrated Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so that no one could sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire to Molech.

Leviticus 18:21rank 6

You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

II Kings 17:17rank 6

They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

Jeremiah 32:35rank 6

They have built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Hinnom to make their sons and daughters pass through the fire to Molech—something I never commanded them, nor had it ever entered My mind, that they should commit such an abomination and cause Judah to sin.

II Chronicles 28:3rank 5

Moreover, Ahaz burned incense in the Valley of Hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.

Ezekiel 16:20rank 5

You even took the sons and daughters you bore to Me and sacrificed them as food to idols. Was your prostitution not enough?

Deuteronomy 12:31rank 5

You must not worship the LORD your God in this way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.

II Chronicles 33:6rank 4

He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

Deuteronomy 17:3rank 3

and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden—

Jeremiah 19:2rank 2

and go out to the Valley of Ben-hinnom near the entrance of the Potsherd Gate. Proclaim there the words I speak to you,

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