Jeremiah 19:6
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of slaughter.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֞ן
H3651
לָכֵ֞ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 19
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יָמִ֤ים
Therefore behold the days
H3117
יָמִ֤ים
Therefore behold the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
3 of 19
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִקָּרֵא֩
shall no more be called
H7121
יִקָּרֵא֩
shall no more be called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
8 of 19
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
לַמָּק֨וֹם
that this place
H4725
לַמָּק֨וֹם
that this place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
9 of 19
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)
הַזֶּ֥ה
H2088
ע֛וֹד
H5750
ע֛וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
גֵּ֥יא
but The valley
H1516
גֵּ֥יא
but The valley
Strong's:
H1516
Word #:
13 of 19
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 #:
14 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
כִּ֖י
H3588
כִּ֖י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
16 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
17 of 19
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
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:Isaiah 30:33For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.Jeremiah 19:2And 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,
Historical Context
The Babylonian siege and conquest (588-586 BC) involved massive casualties. Starvation during the siege, battle deaths, and executions after Jerusalem's fall filled valleys with corpses. Lamentations describes the horror (Lam 2:11-12, 19-22, 4:4-10). The prophecy's fulfillment vindicated Jeremiah and demonstrated God's word's certainty. Modern archaeological excavations reveal mass burial sites and destruction layers confirming the biblical account of this period's devastation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's poetic justice—making sites of sin become sites of judgment—reveal His righteousness?
- What places in your life might need 'renaming' because they've become associated with persistent sin?
- How does Christ's bearing our judgment in the 'valley of slaughter' provide escape from what we deserve?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God announces poetic judgment: "Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of slaughter." Tophet (תֹּפֶת) was the specific site in Hinnom's valley where child sacrifice occurred. God will rename it based on coming judgment—from a place of false worship to a place of divine wrath's execution.
"The valley of slaughter" (Gei ha-Haregah, גֵּי הַהֲרֵגָה) indicates the Babylonian invasion will fill this valley with corpses. The place where Judah slaughtered innocent children will become where God executes judgment on the guilty. This demonstrates lex talionis—poetic justice where punishment mirrors crime. The principle recurs in Scripture: those who shed innocent blood have their blood shed (Gen 9:6, Matt 26:52, Rev 13:10).
The renaming signifies permanent infamy. Names in Hebrew thought represent essence and character. Changing Tophet's name from a worship site to a slaughter site marks the place's permanent association with divine judgment. This warns that places of persistent sin become monuments of judgment. For believers, this underscores that unrepented sin brings certain judgment, while Christ provides the only escape from the Valley of Slaughter we deserve.