King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:35 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:35 in the King James Version says “And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daug... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

Jeremiah 32:35 · KJV


Context

33

And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction. back: Heb. neck

34

But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.

35

And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

36

And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;

37

Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech—Child sacrifice in the Hinnom Valley (Hebrew Gei Ben-Hinnom, later Gehenna, Jesus's word for hell). Ba'al and Molech were distinct Canaanite deities, both demanding child sacrifice. To 'pass through the fire' (הֶעֱבִיר בָּאֵשׁ) likely involved burning children alive as offerings.

God's response: which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind (לֹא צִוִּיתִים וְלֹא עָלְתָה עַל־לִבִּי)—emphatic repudiation. God didn't authorize this 'abomination' (תּוֹעֵבָה, to'evah); it never entered His thoughts. This refutes any claim that child sacrifice was culturally acceptable ANE religion God tolerated. Israel adopted Canaanite practices explicitly forbidden in Leviticus 18:21 and Deuteronomy 18:10. Such atrocities caused Judah to sin—corporate guilt requiring national judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Hinnom Valley bordered Jerusalem's southwest. Archaeological evidence from Carthage (Phoenician colony) confirms widespread child sacrifice to Baal/Molech in ANE cultures. Kings Ahaz and Manasseh practiced it (2 Kings 16:3, 21:6). Josiah desecrated these sites (2 Kings 23:10), but the practice resumed. Later, Hinnom's perpetual fires made 'Gehenna' synonymous with hell (Matthew 5:22).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does modern abortion parallel ancient child sacrifice to Molech—offering children for personal gain?
  2. What cultural practices does the church tolerate today that 'never came into God's mind'?
  3. How should God's emphatic 'I commanded them not' shape our ethical reasoning about controversial issues?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וַיִּבְנוּ֩1 of 28

And they built

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

אֶת2 of 28
H853

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

בָּמ֨וֹת3 of 28

the high places

H1116

an elevation

הַבַּ֜עַל4 of 28

of Baal

H1168

baal, a phoenician deity

אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀5 of 28
H834

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

בְּגֵ֣יא6 of 28

which are in the valley

H1516

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

בְּנֵיהֶ֣ם7 of 28

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

הִנֹּ֗ם8 of 28

of Hinnom

H2011

hinnom, apparently a jebusite

לְ֠הַעֲבִיר9 of 28

to pass

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

אֶת10 of 28
H853

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

בְּנֵיהֶ֣ם11 of 28

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

וְאֶת12 of 28
H853

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

בְּנוֹתֵיהֶם֮13 of 28

and their daughters

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

לַמֹּלֶךְ֒14 of 28

through the fire unto Molech

H4432

molek (i.e., king), the chief deity of the ammonites

אֲשֶׁ֣ר15 of 28
H834

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

לֹֽא16 of 28
H3808

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

צִוִּיתִ֗ים17 of 28

which I commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

וְלֹ֤א18 of 28
H3808

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

עָֽלְתָה֙19 of 28

them not neither came

H5927

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

עַל20 of 28
H5921

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

לִבִּ֔י21 of 28

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

לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת22 of 28

that they should do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הַתּוֹעֵבָ֣ה23 of 28

this abomination

H8441

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

הַזֹּ֑את24 of 28
H2063

this (often used adverb)

לְמַ֖עַן25 of 28
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

הַחֲטִ֥י26 of 28

to sin

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

אֶת27 of 28
H853

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

יְהוּדָֽה׃28 of 28

to cause Judah

H3063

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


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 32:35 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 32:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study