King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 19:4 Mean?

Jeremiah 19:4 in the King James Version says “Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neithe...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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;”

Jeremiah 19:4 · KJV

Context

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;

5

They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:

6

Therefore, 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.

Read Jeremiah 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The indictment specifies Judah's sin: "Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place." "Forsaken" (azav, עָזַב) means abandoned, left behind—covenant breach. "Estranged" (nakhar, נָכַר) means treated as foreign, profaned what should be holy. They've transformed God's city into alien territory through idolatry: "burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah."

The phrase "whom neither they nor their fathers have known" emphasizes these gods' foreignness—not inherited ancestral traditions but recently adopted apostasy. Contrast with knowing the true God through covenant relationship (Jer 31:34). The climactic charge: "have filled this place with the blood of innocents"—likely both innocent victims of injustice and children sacrificed to Molech. Innocent blood cries out for divine justice (Gen 4:10, Rev 6:10).

This verse illustrates how theological apostasy produces moral atrocity. False worship of non-existent gods leads to devaluing human life made in God's image. The Reformed tradition emphasizes that right theology produces right ethics—abandoning biblical truth inevitably generates moral chaos. Modern parallels include abortion, euthanasia, and other assaults on human dignity that follow from rejecting the Creator who gives humans inherent worth.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Child sacrifice to Molech (also called Moloch) was practiced by Canaanites and adopted by apostate Israelites (Lev 20:2-5, 2 Kgs 23:10, Jer 32:35). Archaeological evidence from Carthage and other Phoenician sites shows infant remains in tophet burial grounds, confirming ancient testimony about child sacrifice. Such practices represented absolute covenant violation, meriting the strongest divine judgment. Judah's adoption of these abominations demonstrated complete moral collapse.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does forsaking God lead inevitably to estranging holy places and practices?
  2. What connection exists between false theology and moral atrocities like child sacrifice or abortion?
  3. How does the doctrine that humans bear God's image provide the foundation for protecting innocent life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
יַ֣עַן׀1 of 24
H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

אֲשֶׁ֣ר2 of 24
H834

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

עֲזָבֻ֗נִי3 of 24

“Because they have forsaken”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

וַֽיְנַכְּר֞וּ4 of 24

“me and have estranged”

H5234

properly, to scrutinize, i.e., look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (

אֶת5 of 24
H853

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

הַמָּק֥וֹם6 of 24

“this 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)

הַזֶּה֙7 of 24
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וַיְקַטְּרוּ8 of 24

“and have burned incense”

H6999

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

בוֹ֙9 of 24
H0
לֵאלֹהִ֣ים10 of 24

“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

אֲחֵרִ֔ים11 of 24

“in it unto other”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

אֲשֶׁ֧ר12 of 24
H834

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

לֹֽא13 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְדָע֛וּם14 of 24

“have known”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

הֵ֥מָּה15 of 24
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וַאֲבֽוֹתֵיהֶ֖ם16 of 24

“whom neither they nor their fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וּמַלְכֵ֣י17 of 24

“nor the kings”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֑ה18 of 24

“of Judah”

H3063

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

וּמָֽלְא֛וּ19 of 24

“and have filled”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

אֶת20 of 24
H853

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

הַמָּק֥וֹם21 of 24

“this 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)

הַזֶּ֖ה22 of 24
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

דַּ֥ם23 of 24

“with the blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

נְקִיִּֽם׃24 of 24

“of innocents”

H5355

innocent

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 19:4 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 19:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 2:342 Kings 21:16Deuteronomy 28:20Isaiah 65:11Jeremiah 7:9Jeremiah 2:13

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