Jeremiah 32:34
But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּשִׂ֣ימוּ
But they set
H7760
וַיָּשִׂ֣ימוּ
But they set
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 8
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
שִׁקּֽוּצֵיהֶ֗ם
their abominations
H8251
שִׁקּֽוּצֵיהֶ֗ם
their abominations
Strong's:
H8251
Word #:
2 of 8
disgusting, i.e., filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol
בַּבַּ֛יִת
in the house
H1004
בַּבַּ֛יִת
in the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
3 of 8
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 8
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִקְרָֽא
which is called
H7121
נִקְרָֽא
which is called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
5 of 8
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
שְׁמִ֥י
by my name
H8034
שְׁמִ֥י
by my name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
6 of 8
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
Cross References
Historical Context
King Manasseh (697-643 BC) introduced pagan altars, Asherah poles, and astral deities into the temple courts (2 Kings 21:3-7). Though Josiah reformed the temple (2 Kings 23), subsequent kings allowed idolatrous practices to return. By Jeremiah's time, syncretistic worship had thoroughly corrupted temple worship.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'abominations' might defile the temple of your body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)?
- How does mixing Christianity with cultural idols parallel Judah's temple desecration?
- In what ways can religious institutions become polluted while maintaining external forms of worship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it (וַיָּשִׂימוּ שִׁקּוּצֵיהֶם בַּבַּיִת אֲשֶׁר־נִקְרָא־שְׁמִי עָלָיו לְטַמְּאוֹ)—The ultimate desecration: placing shiqquts (שִׁקּוּץ, detestable idols) in the house called by my name, i.e., the Jerusalem temple. Historical precedent includes Manasseh's Asherah pole in the temple (2 Kings 21:7) and later abominations cataloged in Ezekiel 8.
The verb tame (טָמֵא, to defile) denotes ritual pollution making the holy place unfit for God's presence. That they defiled the house called by my name—God's earthly dwelling where His Name (His revealed character and presence) resided—was spiritual treason. Jesus later cleansed the temple (John 2:13-17), and Paul warns believers, 'If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are' (1 Corinthians 3:17).