Jeremiah 19:11

KJV

And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as [one] breaketh a potter's vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury [them] in Tophet, till [there be] no place to bury.

KJV (with Strong's)

And shalt say {H559} unto them, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}; Even so {H3602} will I break {H7665} this people {H5971} and this city {H5892}, as one breaketh {H7665} a potter's {H3335} vessel {H3627}, that cannot {H3201} be made whole again {H7495}: and they shall bury {H6912} them in Tophet {H8612}, till there be no place {H4725} to bury {H6912}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and say to them, 'ADONAI-Tzva'ot says that this is how I will break this people and this city, just as one smashes a potter's vessel beyond the possibility of repair. The dead will be buried in Tofet, because there will be no space left for burial [anywhere else].

Berean Standard Bible

and you are to proclaim to them that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I will shatter this nation and this city, like one shatters a potter’s jar that can never again be repaired. They will bury the dead in Topheth until there is no more room to bury them.

American Standard Version

and shalt say unto them, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter’s vessel, that cannot be made whole again; and they shall bury in Topheth, till there be no place to bury.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 19:11 delivers a stark prophecy of irreversible judgment against Judah and Jerusalem from the Lord of hosts. Through the dramatic object lesson of a potter's vessel shattered beyond repair, God declares His intent to utterly break His people and their capital city. This devastating decree culminates in the gruesome detail that the dead would be buried in Tophet, a notorious site of idolatry, until there was no longer any space left for interment, signifying the overwhelming scale of destruction and death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 19:11 is the climactic declaration within a powerful prophetic act initiated at the beginning of [Jeremiah chapter 19](/jeremiah/19 "Jeremiah 19 - The Potter's Flask Prophecy"). The Lord commands Jeremiah to take an earthen flask, gather some of the elders of the people and the priests, and go to the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, specifically to the Gate of the Potsherds. There, Jeremiah is instructed to proclaim God's judgment against Jerusalem and Judah, detailing their persistent idolatry, particularly the abhorrent practice of sacrificing their children to Baal in Tophet ([Jeremiah 19:4-5](/jeremiah/19-4 "Jeremiah 19:4-5 - Idolatry and Child Sacrifice")). The breaking of the flask in [Jeremiah 19:10](/jeremiah/19-10 "Jeremiah 19:10 - The Breaking of the Flask") serves as a vivid, tangible symbol of the shattering destruction that God promises to bring upon the city and its inhabitants, making the declaration in verse 11 the interpretive key to this dramatic object lesson.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophecy is set during the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a tumultuous period leading up to the Babylonian exile. Jerusalem was steeped in idolatry, having repeatedly turned away from the covenant with Yahweh. The Valley of Hinnom (Gehinnom), located south of Jerusalem, was infamous for the pagan cultic practices, especially child sacrifice to Molech and Baal, which are explicitly condemned throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice")). Tophet, a specific area within this valley, became synonymous with these abominations. King Josiah had previously defiled Tophet in an attempt to eradicate such practices ([2 Kings 23:10](/2_kings/23-10 "2 Kings 23:10 - Josiah Defiles Tophet")), yet the people had reverted to their wicked ways. The imagery of the potter and clay was deeply resonant in ancient Israelite culture, as pottery was a ubiquitous and essential craft, making the act of breaking a vessel a universally understood symbol of destruction and irreparable loss.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme of [Jeremiah 19](/jeremiah/19 "Jeremiah 19 - Prophecy of Judgment") and verse 11 is the **Irreversible Judgment** of God. Just as a shattered potter's vessel "cannot be made whole again," so too would Judah and Jerusalem experience a destruction from which there would be no immediate national recovery in their existing form. This emphasizes that there are points of no return when a people or nation refuses to repent of egregious sin, highlighting the **Consequences of Persistent Sin**. The phrase "Thus saith the LORD of hosts" underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Authority**, affirming God's ultimate power to execute His will. This judgment is a direct consequence of Judah's deep-seated spiritual apostasy, particularly their abominable practices in Tophet. God's justice is a natural outflow of His holy character, and He will not indefinitely tolerate rebellion and idolatry among His chosen people. The prophecy serves as a stark **Prophetic Warning**, designed to shock the people into recognizing the gravity of their situation and the certainty of God's impending wrath if they did not turn from their wicked ways, a truth echoed in passages like [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **break (Hebrew, _shâbar'_):** This primitive root (H7665) signifies to burst, literally or figuratively. It conveys a sense of violent shattering, crushing, or destroying. In Jeremiah 19:11, its repetition ("I will break this people... as one breaketh a potter's vessel") emphasizes the deliberate, complete, and devastating nature of God's judgment. It's not a gentle dismantling but an act of forceful demolition, leaving no hope for reassembly.
* **potter's vessel (Hebrew, _yâtsar'_ / _kᵉlîy'_):** The word for "potter" (H3335, _yâtsar'_) comes from a root meaning "to mould into a form," especially as a potter. It speaks of creation and shaping. "Vessel" (H3627, _kᵉlîy'_) refers to any apparatus, implement, or utensil. Together, "potter's vessel" evokes the imagery of something carefully crafted and purposed by its maker. The breaking of such an item, especially one that "cannot be made whole again," signifies the undoing of God's own creative work, not because of His failure, but because the "clay" (Israel) has become corrupted and unusable for its intended purpose.
* **made whole again (Hebrew, _râphâʼ'_):** This word (H7495) means "to mend (by stitching)," or figuratively, "to cure" or "heal." When paired with "cannot" (H3201, _yâkôl'_ – to be able), it powerfully conveys the finality of the judgment. The destruction will be so absolute that there will be no possibility of simple repair or restoration to its former state. It's a declaration of irreparable damage, signifying the end of an era for Judah and Jerusalem as they knew it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts;"**: This opening phrase establishes the divine authority behind Jeremiah's message. Jeremiah is merely the mouthpiece; the words are directly from "the LORD of hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth), a title emphasizing God's omnipotence, His command over heavenly armies, and His sovereign power to execute His will over all creation and nations. This is not a human opinion but a divine decree.
* **"Even so will I break this people and this city, as [one] breaketh a potter's vessel,"**: Here, God explicitly states His intention to bring about a shattering destruction upon Judah ("this people") and Jerusalem ("this city"). The simile "as one breaketh a potter's vessel" vividly illustrates the manner and completeness of this judgment. Just as a fragile clay pot is easily smashed into countless pieces, so too will the social, political, and spiritual fabric of the nation and its capital be utterly demolished.
* **"that cannot be made whole again:"**: This critical clause underscores the finality and irreversibility of the impending judgment. Unlike a piece of pottery that might be mended or glued, the destruction described here is so comprehensive that no human effort or intervention could restore it to its previous form or function. It signifies a point of no return for the existing order and a complete cessation of their national integrity and independence.
* **"and they shall bury [them] in Tophet, till [there be] no place to bury."**: This grim detail reveals the horrific extent of the casualties. So many would die that the infamous Valley of Hinnom, specifically Tophet—a place already defiled by abominable pagan rituals—would become a mass burial ground. The phrase "till there be no place to bury" is a hyperbole emphasizing the overwhelming number of dead bodies, indicating widespread devastation and a complete breakdown of normal burial practices, a sign of utter societal collapse and divine wrath.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 19:11 is rich with powerful literary devices that amplify its message of impending doom. The most prominent is **Simile**, comparing God's breaking of "this people and this city" to "as one breaketh a potter's vessel." This comparison is not merely illustrative but deeply symbolic, drawing on the common biblical motif of God as the **Potter** and humanity as the **clay** ([Jeremiah 18:6](/jeremiah/18-6 "Jeremiah 18:6 - The Potter and the Clay")). The shattering of the vessel symbolizes God's sovereign right to undo what He has made when it becomes corrupted and unusable for His purposes. The specific mention of **Tophet** serves as a potent **Symbolism** and **Metonymy**. Tophet, a place of abhorrent child sacrifice, becomes a symbol of Judah's deep sin and the very location where the consequences of that sin will be graphically manifested through mass burials. The phrase "till there be no place to bury" employs **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration used not for literal accuracy but to convey the immense scale of death and destruction, impressing upon the audience the utter devastation that awaits them. The entire prophetic act, culminating in this verse, is a **Dramatic Prophetic Act**, a visual sermon designed to shock and warn.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 19:11 stands as a stark testament to God's unwavering holiness and justice, demonstrating that His patience with persistent sin has limits. The imagery of the broken vessel underscores a profound theological truth: God, as the sovereign Creator, has the absolute right and power to shape, break, and remake nations according to His righteous will. When His chosen people repeatedly reject His covenant and engage in egregious idolatry and moral depravity, He will bring about severe, even irreparable, judgment. This passage reminds us that while God is merciful, He is also a consuming fire, and His justice is an essential aspect of His character, ensuring that sin does not go unpunished indefinitely. It highlights the principle that divine judgment, though often delayed, is certain for those who refuse to repent and persist in rebellion.

* [Isaiah 30:14](/isaiah/30-14 "Isaiah 30:14 - The Breaking of the Potter's Vessel")
* [Psalm 2:9](/psalms/2-9 "Psalm 2:9 - Breaking Nations with an Iron Scepter")
* [Romans 9:20-21](/romans/9-20 "Romans 9:20-21 - The Potter's Authority Over the Clay")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 19:11, while a chilling prophecy of ancient judgment, offers profound and timeless lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder of the seriousness of sin, especially persistent rebellion against God's revealed will. God's patience is immense, but it is not infinite; there comes a point where divine justice must be enacted. This should prompt us to humbly examine our own lives and communities, asking if there are areas where we are stubbornly resisting God's commands or embracing "idols" that compete for His rightful place in our hearts. The verse also underscores the importance of heeding God's warnings, whether delivered through Scripture, prophetic voices, or the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Just as Judah ignored Jeremiah's urgent pleas, we too can become deaf to divine guidance, leading to spiritual and sometimes tangible consequences. Ultimately, this passage calls us to a posture of repentance, humility, and obedience, recognizing God's absolute sovereignty and His just character, knowing that His desire is always for our restoration, not our destruction, if we turn to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or our society might we be "breaking" God's design, and what might be the consequences of such actions?**
* **How seriously do I take God's warnings in Scripture, and what steps am I taking to ensure I am not ignoring His voice?**
* **Considering God's justice in this passage, how does it deepen my appreciation for His mercy and the opportunity for repentance He offers?**
* **What "vessels" in my life or community, once beautiful and purposed by God, might be on the verge of being "broken" due to unaddressed sin or disobedience?**

### FAQ

**Why did God use such a violent and seemingly irreversible image of a broken potter's vessel?**

Answer: God used the image of a shattered potter's vessel to convey the absolute finality and comprehensiveness of the judgment He was bringing upon Judah and Jerusalem. In ancient times, a broken clay pot could not be easily repaired or reused; it was discarded. This imagery powerfully communicated that the destruction would be so complete that the nation, as it existed, would be beyond repair in its current form. It was a visual and symbolic act, designed to shock the audience into understanding the severity of their sin and the certainty of divine wrath. It underscored that their persistent idolatry and rebellion had reached a point of no return, necessitating a complete dismantling before any future restoration could occur, as depicted in [Jeremiah 18:1-10](/jeremiah/18 "Jeremiah 18 - The Potter and the Clay"), where God reserves the right to change His mind based on a nation's repentance or lack thereof.

**What is the significance of "Tophet" in this prophecy?**

Answer: Tophet was a specific, notorious location within the Valley of the Son of Hinnom (Gehinnom) just outside Jerusalem. It was infamous as the site where the people of Judah had engaged in the abhorrent practice of sacrificing their children to the pagan god Molech ([Jeremiah 7:31](/jeremiah/7-31 "Jeremiah 7:31 - Child Sacrifice in Tophet")). By prophesying that the dead would be buried in Tophet until there was no more room, God was declaring that the very place of their most egregious sin would become the site of their most devastating judgment. It was a grim poetic justice, a direct consequence of their apostasy. Later Jewish tradition associated Gehinnom (Valley of Hinnom) with eternal punishment, making it a symbolic precursor to the concept of hell.

**Does God still "break" nations or individuals today in a similar way?**

Answer: While the specific, dramatic, and physical judgment on ancient Judah was unique to their covenant relationship and historical context, the principle of divine judgment for persistent sin remains. God's character of holiness and justice is unchanging. Today, God's "breaking" often manifests not as a literal shattering of pottery, but through the natural consequences of sin, societal decay, spiritual barrenness, or the removal of His blessing and protection. For individuals, unrepentant sin can lead to spiritual death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death")) and separation from God. For nations, it can lead to moral decline, internal strife, and external pressures. However, God's ultimate desire is always for repentance and restoration, as seen in His patience and the offer of salvation through Christ ([2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - God's Patience and Desire for Repentance")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 19:11, with its pronouncement of irreversible judgment and the imagery of a shattered vessel, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in the physical breaking of a nation, but in the spiritual breaking and subsequent making whole through Jesus Christ. Humanity, like the unfaithful Judah, was a "vessel" marred by sin, incapable of being "made whole again" by its own efforts, leading inevitably to divine judgment and spiritual death ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Yet, in a stunning reversal, God Himself, in the person of Jesus, became the ultimate "broken vessel" on the cross. Christ, the sinless Lamb of God, was "broken" for our transgressions, enduring the full wrath and judgment of God that humanity deserved ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Wounded for Our Transgressions")). His death in our place was the ultimate act of divine judgment against sin, satisfying the demands of justice so that those who believe might be "made whole again" and reconciled to God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin For Us")). Through His resurrection, Christ demonstrates God's power not just to break, but to create new life and a new creation, offering spiritual restoration and eternal life to all who trust in Him, transforming shattered lives into vessels of honor fit for the Master's use ([Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - God's Workmanship")). The "no place to bury" in Tophet foreshadows the ultimate fate of those who reject God's gracious offer in Christ, while for believers, there is the promise of resurrection and eternal dwelling in God's presence, far from the valley of judgment ([John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Passing from Death to Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 2:9

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

Isaiah 30:14

And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water [withal] out of the pit.

Lamentations 4:2

The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!

Jeremiah 13:14

And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.

Revelation 2:27

And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

Jeremiah 19:6

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.

Jeremiah 7:31

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.