King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 19:13 Mean?

Jeremiah 19:13 in the King James Version says “And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of a... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.

Jeremiah 19:13 · KJV


Context

11

And 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. be made: Heb. be healed

12

Thus will I do unto this place, saith the LORD, and to the inhabitants thereof, and even make this city as Tophet:

13

And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.

14

Then came Jeremiah from Tophet, whither the LORD had sent him to prophesy; and he stood in the court of the LORD'S house; and said to all the people,

15

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The houses of Jerusalem and the kings' palaces are 'defiled' because they burned incense to 'all the host of heaven' on their rooftops. Astral worship (worship of sun, moon, stars) violated the first commandment and the explicit warnings of Deuteronomy 4:19. Rooftop worship was public and flagrant. The defilement made these houses 'as the place of Tophet' - fit only for judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Rooftop worship was common in ancient Near Eastern culture. The flat roofs of houses provided convenient spaces for pagan rituals, making idolatry visible throughout the city.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does public sin increase accountability and corporate guilt?
  2. What modern forms of 'host of heaven' worship compete with devotion to God alone?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְהָי֞וּ1 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הַבָּתִּ֗ים2 of 22

And the houses

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם3 of 22

of Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

הַבָּתִּ֗ים4 of 22

And the houses

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

מַלְכֵ֣י5 of 22

of the kings

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֔ה6 of 22

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

כִּמְק֥וֹם7 of 22

as the place

H4725

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)

הַתֹּ֖פֶת8 of 22

of Tophet

H8612

topheth, a place near jerusalem

הַטְּמֵאִ֑ים9 of 22

shall be defiled

H2931

foul in a religious sense

לְכֹ֣ל10 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַבָּתִּ֗ים11 of 22

And the houses

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר12 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

קִטְּר֜וּ13 of 22

they have burned incense

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

עַל14 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

גַּגֹּֽתֵיהֶם֙15 of 22

upon whose roofs

H1406

a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar

לְכֹל֙16 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צְבָ֣א17 of 22

unto all the host

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם18 of 22

of heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְהַסֵּ֥ךְ19 of 22

and have poured out

H5258

to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint a king

נְסָכִ֖ים20 of 22

drink offerings

H5262

a libation; also a cast idol

לֵאלֹהִ֥ים21 of 22

gods

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲחֵרִֽים׃22 of 22

unto other

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 19:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 19:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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