Jeremiah 7:31
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּגֵ֣יא
which is in the valley
H1516
בְּגֵ֣יא
which is in the valley
Strong's:
H1516
Word #:
5 of 20
a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)
בְּנֹתֵיהֶ֖ם
of the son
H1121
בְּנֹתֵיהֶ֖ם
of the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵיהֶ֥ם
and their daughters
H1323
בְּנֵיהֶ֥ם
and their daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
10 of 20
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֹתֵיהֶ֖ם
of the son
H1121
בְּנֹתֵיהֶ֖ם
of the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
12 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עָלְתָ֖ה
them not neither came
H5927
עָלְתָ֖ה
them not neither came
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
18 of 20
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
Cross References
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.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 Kings 17:17And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.Deuteronomy 12:31Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.Ezekiel 16:20Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter,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.Deuteronomy 17:3And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;
Historical Context
The Tophet in the valley of Hinnom served as a site for child sacrifice during the reigns of Ahaz and Manasseh (2 Kings 16:3; 21:6). Josiah defiled this site (2 Kings 23:10), but the practice resumed after his death.
Questions for Reflection
- How does child sacrifice demonstrate the ultimate perversion of religious devotion?
- What modern equivalents might exist where children are sacrificed for adult convenience or ideology?
- How should this extreme evil inform our understanding of total depravity's potential?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The most heinous sin: 'And 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.' Child sacrifice to Molech represents the depth of moral depravity. God's emphatic denial ('I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart') shows this practice was utterly foreign to His character and will. The valley of Hinnom (Gehenna) later became symbolic of hell itself. That covenant people could descend to burning their own children demonstrates total depravity's horrifying potential. This abomination sealed Judah's fate.