Jeremiah 7:32
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֞ן
H3651
לָכֵ֞ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 21
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 21
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 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵאָמֵ֨ר
that it shall no more be called
H559
יֵאָמֵ֨ר
that it shall no more be called
Strong's:
H559
Word #:
8 of 21
to say (used with great latitude)
ע֤וֹד
H5750
ע֤וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
9 of 21
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
גֵּ֣יא
but the valley
H1516
גֵּ֣יא
but the valley
Strong's:
H1516
Word #:
11 of 21
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 #:
12 of 21
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 #:
14 of 21
(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 #:
15 of 21
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
גֵּ֣יא
but the valley
H1516
גֵּ֣יא
but the valley
Strong's:
H1516
Word #:
16 of 21
a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)
Cross References
Jeremiah 19:11And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter's vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury them in Tophet, till there be no place to bury.Jeremiah 19:6Therefore, 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.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
During and after the Babylonian siege, massive casualties required mass burial sites. The valley of Hinnom became associated with death and judgment, giving rise to 'Gehenna' as hell's name.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's justice often involve experiencing the natural consequences of our sins?
- What does the transformation of Tophet teach about God's poetic justice?
- How should the principle of measure-for-measure judgment inform our ethical decisions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The prophetic consequence: 'Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place.' The site of child sacrifice will become a mass grave. The ironic justice: where they slaughtered their children, they themselves will be slaughtered and buried en masse. The phrase 'till there be no place' suggests overwhelming casualties. This demonstrates the principle of measure-for-measure justice: the punishment fits the crime. The valley that witnessed innocent blood will witness guilty blood.