King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 19:5 Mean?

Jeremiah 19:5 in the King James Version says “They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I comman...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Jeremiah 19:5 · KJV

Context

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.

7

And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hands of them that seek their lives: and their carcases will I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

Read Jeremiah 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The specific horror: "They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal." Building high places (bamot, בָּמוֹת) for Baal worship directly violated the first commandment. Burning children alive as burnt offerings represents the most extreme perversion—using worship language and forms to commit abomination. They called murder "offerings," demonstrating total moral inversion (Isa 5:20).

God's emphatic denial: "which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind." The triple negation underscores God's total repudiation—He never commanded this, never mentioned it, never even conceived of demanding such horror. This counters any claim that child sacrifice honors God. The phrase reveals God's character—He doesn't desire human suffering but delights in mercy, obedience, and covenant love (Hos 6:6, Mic 6:6-8).

This passage refutes the notion that sincere religious devotion justifies any practice. Not all worship pleases God—only worship according to His revealed will. The Reformed regulative principle of worship states that we must worship God only as He commands in Scripture, not according to human invention or supposed sincerity. Christ confronted false worship that honored God with lips while hearts remained far from Him (Matt 15:8-9).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Baal worship involved fertility rites, temple prostitution, and child sacrifice. Devotees believed sacrificing children (especially firstborns) secured divine favor, prosperity, or deliverance from enemies. Such practices pervaded Canaanite religion and infected Israel repeatedly despite clear prohibitions. The prophets consistently condemned these abominations as the epitome of covenant violation, warranting the severest judgment (Deut 12:31, 2 Kgs 17:17, Ezek 16:20-21, 20:31, 23:37-39).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse warn against assuming religious sincerity justifies practices God hasn't commanded?
  2. What modern practices might claim religious devotion while actually committing abomination?
  3. How does the regulative principle of worship protect against human-invented religious practices?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וּבָנ֞וּ1 of 19

“They have built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

אֶת2 of 19
H853

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

בָּמ֣וֹת3 of 19

“also the high places”

H1116

an elevation

לַבָּ֑עַל4 of 19

“of Baal”

H1168

baal, a phoenician deity

לִשְׂרֹ֧ף5 of 19

“to burn”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

אֶת6 of 19
H853

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

בְּנֵיהֶ֛ם7 of 19

“their sons”

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

בָּאֵ֖שׁ8 of 19

“with fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

עֹל֣וֹת9 of 19

“for burnt offerings”

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

לַבָּ֑עַל10 of 19

“of Baal”

H1168

baal, a phoenician deity

אֲשֶׁ֤ר11 of 19
H834

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

לֹֽא12 of 19
H3808

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

צִוִּ֙יתִי֙13 of 19

“which I commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

וְלֹ֣א14 of 19
H3808

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

דִבַּ֔רְתִּי15 of 19

“not nor spake”

H1696

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

וְלֹ֥א16 of 19
H3808

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

עָלְתָ֖ה17 of 19

“it neither came”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עַל18 of 19
H5921

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

לִבִּֽי׃19 of 19

“it into my mind”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

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 19:5 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 19:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 32:35Deuteronomy 12:31Psalms 106:37-38Leviticus 18:21Ezekiel 16:20-21Jeremiah 7:31-32

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