Jeremiah 19:4
Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents;
Original Language Analysis
יַ֣עַן׀
H3282
יַ֣עַן׀
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
1 of 24
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עֲזָבֻ֗נִי
Because they have forsaken
H5800
עֲזָבֻ֗נִי
Because they have forsaken
Strong's:
H5800
Word #:
3 of 24
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
וַֽיְנַכְּר֞וּ
me and have estranged
H5234
וַֽיְנַכְּר֞וּ
me and have estranged
Strong's:
H5234
Word #:
4 of 24
properly, to scrutinize, i.e., look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמָּק֥וֹם
this place
H4725
הַמָּק֥וֹם
this place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
וַיְקַטְּרוּ
and have burned incense
H6999
וַיְקַטְּרוּ
and have burned incense
Strong's:
H6999
Word #:
8 of 24
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
לֵאלֹהִ֣ים
gods
H430
לֵאלֹהִ֣ים
gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 24
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֲחֵרִ֔ים
in it unto other
H312
אֲחֵרִ֔ים
in it unto other
Strong's:
H312
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְדָע֛וּם
have known
H3045
יְדָע֛וּם
have known
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
14 of 24
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וַאֲבֽוֹתֵיהֶ֖ם
whom neither they nor their fathers
H1
וַאֲבֽוֹתֵיהֶ֖ם
whom neither they nor their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
16 of 24
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
18 of 24
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וּמָֽלְא֛וּ
and have filled
H4390
וּמָֽלְא֛וּ
and have filled
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
19 of 24
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמָּק֥וֹם
this place
H4725
הַמָּק֥וֹם
this place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
21 of 24
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
הַזֶּ֖ה
H2088
Cross References
Jeremiah 2:34Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.Isaiah 65:11But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.Deuteronomy 28:20The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.2 Kings 21:16Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.Jeremiah 7:9Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;Isaiah 59:7Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.Jeremiah 2:19Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.Jeremiah 2:13For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.Jeremiah 17:13O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.Jeremiah 11:13For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal.
Historical Context
Child sacrifice to Molech (also called Moloch) was practiced by Canaanites and adopted by apostate Israelites (Lev 20:2-5, 2 Kgs 23:10, Jer 32:35). Archaeological evidence from Carthage and other Phoenician sites shows infant remains in tophet burial grounds, confirming ancient testimony about child sacrifice. Such practices represented absolute covenant violation, meriting the strongest divine judgment. Judah's adoption of these abominations demonstrated complete moral collapse.
Questions for Reflection
- How does forsaking God lead inevitably to estranging holy places and practices?
- What connection exists between false theology and moral atrocities like child sacrifice or abortion?
- How does the doctrine that humans bear God's image provide the foundation for protecting innocent life?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The indictment specifies Judah's sin: "Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place." "Forsaken" (azav, עָזַב) means abandoned, left behind—covenant breach. "Estranged" (nakhar, נָכַר) means treated as foreign, profaned what should be holy. They've transformed God's city into alien territory through idolatry: "burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah."
The phrase "whom neither they nor their fathers have known" emphasizes these gods' foreignness—not inherited ancestral traditions but recently adopted apostasy. Contrast with knowing the true God through covenant relationship (Jer 31:34). The climactic charge: "have filled this place with the blood of innocents"—likely both innocent victims of injustice and children sacrificed to Molech. Innocent blood cries out for divine justice (Gen 4:10, Rev 6:10).
This verse illustrates how theological apostasy produces moral atrocity. False worship of non-existent gods leads to devaluing human life made in God's image. The Reformed tradition emphasizes that right theology produces right ethics—abandoning biblical truth inevitably generates moral chaos. Modern parallels include abortion, euthanasia, and other assaults on human dignity that follow from rejecting the Creator who gives humans inherent worth.