King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 7:32 Mean?

Jeremiah 7:32 in the King James Version says “Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of H... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 7:32 · KJV


Context

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.

34

Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The prophetic consequence: '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.' The site of child sacrifice will become a mass grave. The ironic justice: where they slaughtered their children, they themselves will be slaughtered and buried en masse. The phrase 'till there be no place' suggests overwhelming casualties. This demonstrates the principle of measure-for-measure justice: the punishment fits the crime. The valley that witnessed innocent blood will witness guilty blood.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

During and after the Babylonian siege, massive casualties required mass burial sites. The valley of Hinnom became associated with death and judgment, giving rise to 'Gehenna' as hell's name.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's justice often involve experiencing the natural consequences of our sins?
  2. What does the transformation of Tophet teach about God's poetic justice?
  3. How should the principle of measure-for-measure judgment inform our ethical decisions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
לָכֵ֞ן1 of 21
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

הִנֵּֽה2 of 21
H2009

lo!

יָמִ֤ים3 of 21

Therefore behold the days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בָּאִים֙4 of 21

come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

נְאֻם5 of 21

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֔ה6 of 21

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְלֹא7 of 21
H3808

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

יֵאָמֵ֨ר8 of 21

that it shall no more be called

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ע֤וֹד9 of 21
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

בְתֹ֖פֶת10 of 21

Tophet

H8612

topheth, a place near jerusalem

גֵּ֣יא11 of 21

but the valley

H1516

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

בֶן12 of 21

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

הִנֹּ֔ם13 of 21

of Hinnom

H2011

hinnom, apparently a jebusite

כִּ֖י14 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִם15 of 21
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

גֵּ֣יא16 of 21

but the valley

H1516

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

הַהֲרֵגָ֑ה17 of 21

of slaughter

H2028

slaughter

וְקָבְר֥וּ18 of 21

for they shall bury

H6912

to inter

בְתֹ֖פֶת19 of 21

Tophet

H8612

topheth, a place near jerusalem

מֵאֵ֥ין20 of 21

till there be no

H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מָקֽוֹם׃21 of 21

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)


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 7:32 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 7:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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