King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 7:31 Mean?

Jeremiah 7:31 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Jeremiah 7:31 · KJV


Context

29

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.

30

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.

31

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

32

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.

33

And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The most heinous sin: '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.' Child sacrifice to Molech represents the depth of moral depravity. God's emphatic denial ('I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart') shows this practice was utterly foreign to His character and will. The valley of Hinnom (Gehenna) later became symbolic of hell itself. That covenant people could descend to burning their own children demonstrates total depravity's horrifying potential. This abomination sealed Judah's fate.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Tophet in the valley of Hinnom served as a site for child sacrifice during the reigns of Ahaz and Manasseh (2 Kings 16:3; 21:6). Josiah defiled this site (2 Kings 23:10), but the practice resumed after his death.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does child sacrifice demonstrate the ultimate perversion of religious devotion?
  2. What modern equivalents might exist where children are sacrificed for adult convenience or ideology?
  3. How should this extreme evil inform our understanding of total depravity's potential?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וּבָנ֞וּ1 of 20

And they have built

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

בָּמ֣וֹת2 of 20

the high places

H1116

an elevation

הַתֹּ֗פֶת3 of 20

of Tophet

H8612

topheth, a place near jerusalem

אֲשֶׁר֙4 of 20
H834

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

בְּגֵ֣יא5 of 20

which is in the valley

H1516

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

בְּנֹתֵיהֶ֖ם6 of 20

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

הִנֹּ֔ם7 of 20

of Hinnom

H2011

hinnom, apparently a jebusite

לִשְׂרֹ֛ף8 of 20

to burn

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

אֶת9 of 20
H853

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

בְּנֵיהֶ֥ם10 of 20

and their daughters

H1323

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

וְאֶת11 of 20
H853

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

בְּנֹתֵיהֶ֖ם12 of 20

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

בָּאֵ֑שׁ13 of 20

in the fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

אֲשֶׁר֙14 of 20
H834

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

לֹ֣א15 of 20
H3808

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

צִוִּ֔יתִי16 of 20

which I commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

וְלֹ֥א17 of 20
H3808

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

עָלְתָ֖ה18 of 20

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

עַל19 of 20
H5921

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

לִבִּֽי׃20 of 20

it into my heart

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 7:31 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 7:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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