Jeremiah 19:2
And go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee,
Original Language Analysis
וְיָצָ֙אתָ֙
And go forth
H3318
וְיָצָ֙אתָ֙
And go forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 16
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
גֵּ֣יא
unto the valley
H1516
גֵּ֣יא
unto the valley
Strong's:
H1516
Word #:
3 of 16
a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)
בֶן
of the son
H1121
בֶן
of the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֲשֶׁ֕ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֕ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
פֶּ֖תַח
which is by the entry
H6607
פֶּ֖תַח
which is by the entry
Strong's:
H6607
Word #:
7 of 16
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
הַֽחַרְסִ֑ות
of the east
H2777
הַֽחַרְסִ֑ות
of the east
Strong's:
H2777
Word #:
9 of 16
a potsherd, i.e., (by implication) a pottery; the name of a gate at jerusalem
וְקָרָ֣אתָ
and proclaim
H7121
וְקָרָ֣אתָ
and proclaim
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
10 of 16
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
שָּׁ֔ם
H8033
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים
there the words
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים
there the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
13 of 16
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Joshua 15:8And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lieth before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward:2 Kings 23:10And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.Jeremiah 32:35And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.2 Chronicles 28:3Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.2 Chronicles 33:6And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
Historical Context
The Valley of Hinnom runs south of Jerusalem, joining the Kidron Valley. Kings Ahaz and Manasseh made their sons pass through fire there (2 Kgs 16:3, 21:6), establishing high places for child sacrifice to Molech (Lev 18:21, 20:2-5). Josiah's reforms defiled these sites (2 Kgs 23:10), but they remained symbolically associated with abomination. By Jesus' time, the valley served as Jerusalem's garbage dump where fires burned continuously, reinforcing the Gehenna imagery.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is it significant that God calls Jeremiah to prophesy at the very site of Judah's worst sin?
- How does the Valley of Hinnom as a picture of hell emphasize the seriousness of sin and judgment?
- In what ways should modern gospel proclamation confront sin directly rather than abstractly?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God commands another symbolic act: "And go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee." The Valley of Hinnom (Hebrew Gei Ben-Hinnom, גֵּי בֶן־הִנֹּם) had become synonymous with abomination—the site where Judah sacrificed children to Molech. This location's choice is strategic, confronting sin at its most horrific manifestation point.
The geographical specificity—"by the entry of the east gate"—ensures witnesses and precision. This wasn't a private meditation but a public prophetic declaration in the very place of covenant violation. God's word must confront sin directly, not abstractly. The phrase "proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee" emphasizes prophetic dependence—Jeremiah speaks God's words, not his own opinion.
This location would later be associated with Gehenna (Greek form of Hinnom), which Jesus used as imagery for hell (Matt 5:22, 29-30, 18:9, Mark 9:43-47). The valley's associations with child sacrifice, abomination, and judgment made it a fitting symbol for eternal punishment. Reformed theology sees Gehenna as representing the final, permanent judgment awaiting impenitent sinners—a terrifying reality making gospel proclamation urgent.