King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 7:30 Mean?

“For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.”

Context

But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth. correction: or, instruction

Cut off thine hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the LORD hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.

For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.

And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart. came: Heb. came it upon my heart

Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place.

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(30) **In the house which is called by my name.—**This had been done by Ahaz (2Chronicles 28:2), and after the Temple had been cleansed by Hezekiah (2Chronicles 29:5) had been repeated by Manasseh (2Kings 21:4-7; 2Chronicles 33:3-7). Josiah’s reformation again checked the tendency to idolatry (2Kings 23:4; 2Chronicles 34:3); but it is quite possible that the pendulum swung back again when his death left the idolatrous party in Judah free to act, and that this special aggravation of the evil, the desecration of the Temple of Jehovah by “abominations” of idol-worship, re-appeared together with the worship of the Queen of Heaven and the sacrifices to Molech.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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 7:30 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.