King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 19:2 Mean?

Jeremiah 19:2 in the King James Version says “And go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee, the east: Heb. the sun gate”

Jeremiah 19:2 · KJV

Context

1

Thus saith the LORD, Go and get a potter's earthen bottle, and take of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests;

2

And go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee, the east: Heb. the sun gate

3

And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle.

4

Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents;

Read Jeremiah 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God commands another symbolic act: "And go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee." The Valley of Hinnom (Hebrew Gei Ben-Hinnom, גֵּי בֶן־הִנֹּם) had become synonymous with abomination—the site where Judah sacrificed children to Molech. This location's choice is strategic, confronting sin at its most horrific manifestation point.

The geographical specificity—"by the entry of the east gate"—ensures witnesses and precision. This wasn't a private meditation but a public prophetic declaration in the very place of covenant violation. God's word must confront sin directly, not abstractly. The phrase "proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee" emphasizes prophetic dependence—Jeremiah speaks God's words, not his own opinion.

This location would later be associated with Gehenna (Greek form of Hinnom), which Jesus used as imagery for hell (Matt 5:22, 29-30, 18:9, Mark 9:43-47). The valley's associations with child sacrifice, abomination, and judgment made it a fitting symbol for eternal punishment. Reformed theology sees Gehenna as representing the final, permanent judgment awaiting impenitent sinners—a terrifying reality making gospel proclamation urgent.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Valley of Hinnom runs south of Jerusalem, joining the Kidron Valley. Kings Ahaz and Manasseh made their sons pass through fire there (2 Kgs 16:3, 21:6), establishing high places for child sacrifice to Molech (Lev 18:21, 20:2-5). Josiah's reforms defiled these sites (2 Kgs 23:10), but they remained symbolically associated with abomination. By Jesus' time, the valley served as Jerusalem's garbage dump where fires burned continuously, reinforcing the Gehenna imagery.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why is it significant that God calls Jeremiah to prophesy at the very site of Judah's worst sin?
  2. How does the Valley of Hinnom as a picture of hell emphasize the seriousness of sin and judgment?
  3. In what ways should modern gospel proclamation confront sin directly rather than abstractly?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְיָצָ֙אתָ֙1 of 16

“And go forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֶל2 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גֵּ֣יא3 of 16

“unto the valley”

H1516

a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)

בֶן4 of 16

“of the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הִנֹּ֔ם5 of 16

“of Hinnom”

H2011

hinnom, apparently a jebusite

אֲשֶׁ֕ר6 of 16
H834

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

פֶּ֖תַח7 of 16

“which is by the entry”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

שַׁ֣עַר8 of 16

“gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הַֽחַרְסִ֑ות9 of 16

“of the east”

H2777

a potsherd, i.e., (by implication) a pottery; the name of a gate at jerusalem

וְקָרָ֣אתָ10 of 16

“and proclaim”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

שָּׁ֔ם11 of 16
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אֶת12 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַדְּבָרִ֖ים13 of 16

“there the words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁר14 of 16
H834

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

אֲדַבֵּ֥ר15 of 16

“that I shall tell”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלֶֽיךָ׃16 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

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 19:2 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 19:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 15:82 Kings 23:10Jeremiah 7:31-32Jeremiah 32:352 Chronicles 33:62 Chronicles 28:3

Places in This Verse

Potsherd GateGate · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E1 verse across 1 book
Valley of HinnomValley · Modern: Hinnom Valley · 31.77°N, 35.23°E12 verses across 5 books
View all places in Jeremiah 19 →

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