Jeremiah 32:35
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּגֵ֣יא
which are in the valley
H1516
בְּגֵ֣יא
which are in the valley
Strong's:
H1516
Word #:
6 of 28
a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)
בְּנֵיהֶ֣ם
of the son
H1121
בְּנֵיהֶ֣ם
of the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 28
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לְ֠הַעֲבִיר
to pass
H5674
לְ֠הַעֲבִיר
to pass
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
9 of 28
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵיהֶ֣ם
of the son
H1121
בְּנֵיהֶ֣ם
of the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 28
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנוֹתֵיהֶם֮
and their daughters
H1323
בְּנוֹתֵיהֶם֮
and their daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
13 of 28
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
לַמֹּלֶךְ֒
through the fire unto Molech
H4432
לַמֹּלֶךְ֒
through the fire unto Molech
Strong's:
H4432
Word #:
14 of 28
molek (i.e., king), the chief deity of the ammonites
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 28
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 #:
16 of 28
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 28
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עָֽלְתָה֙
them not neither came
H5927
עָֽלְתָה֙
them not neither came
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
19 of 28
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
20 of 28
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לִבִּ֔י
it into my mind
H3820
לִבִּ֔י
it into my mind
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
21 of 28
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת
that they should do
H6213
לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת
that they should do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
22 of 28
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הַתּוֹעֵבָ֣ה
this abomination
H8441
הַתּוֹעֵבָ֣ה
this abomination
Strong's:
H8441
Word #:
23 of 28
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
לְמַ֖עַן
H4616
לְמַ֖עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
25 of 28
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
הַחֲטִ֥י
to sin
H2398
הַחֲטִ֥י
to sin
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
26 of 28
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
Cross References
Jeremiah 7:31And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.Leviticus 18:21And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.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.1 Kings 16:19For his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the LORD, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make Israel to sin.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.
Historical Context
The Hinnom Valley bordered Jerusalem's southwest. Archaeological evidence from Carthage (Phoenician colony) confirms widespread child sacrifice to Baal/Molech in ANE cultures. Kings Ahaz and Manasseh practiced it (2 Kings 16:3, 21:6). Josiah desecrated these sites (2 Kings 23:10), but the practice resumed. Later, Hinnom's perpetual fires made 'Gehenna' synonymous with hell (Matthew 5:22).
Questions for Reflection
- How does modern abortion parallel ancient child sacrifice to Molech—offering children for personal gain?
- What cultural practices does the church tolerate today that 'never came into God's mind'?
- How should God's emphatic 'I commanded them not' shape our ethical reasoning about controversial issues?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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—Child sacrifice in the Hinnom Valley (Hebrew Gei Ben-Hinnom, later Gehenna, Jesus's word for hell). Ba'al and Molech were distinct Canaanite deities, both demanding child sacrifice. To 'pass through the fire' (הֶעֱבִיר בָּאֵשׁ) likely involved burning children alive as offerings.
God's response: which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind (לֹא צִוִּיתִים וְלֹא עָלְתָה עַל־לִבִּי)—emphatic repudiation. God didn't authorize this 'abomination' (תּוֹעֵבָה, to'evah); it never entered His thoughts. This refutes any claim that child sacrifice was culturally acceptable ANE religion God tolerated. Israel adopted Canaanite practices explicitly forbidden in Leviticus 18:21 and Deuteronomy 18:10. Such atrocities caused Judah to sin—corporate guilt requiring national judgment.