Jeremiah 19:12

KJV

Thus will I do unto this place, saith the LORD, and to the inhabitants thereof, and [even] make this city as Tophet:

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus will I do {H6213} unto this place {H4725}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, and to the inhabitants {H3427} thereof, and even make {H5414} this city {H5892} as Tophet {H8612}:

Complete Jewish Bible

That is what I will do to this place,' says ADONAI 'and to its inhabitants; I will make it like Tofet.

Berean Standard Bible

This is what I will do to this place and to its residents, declares the LORD. I will make this city like Topheth.

American Standard Version

Thus will I do unto this place, saith Jehovah, and to the inhabitants thereof, even making this city as Topheth:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 19:12 serves as a climactic declaration of divine judgment against Jerusalem and its inhabitants, pronounced by the prophet Jeremiah. Following a symbolic act involving the breaking of a potter's flask in the Valley of Hinnom, this verse unequivocally states that the Lord will render the entire city as defiled and desolate as Tophet, the infamous site of child sacrifice to Molech. It underscores the certainty and severity of God's wrath due to Judah's persistent idolatry and moral corruption, signaling an irreversible ruin that mirrors the very abominations they committed.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 19:12 is the culmination of a powerful prophetic drama initiated in [Jeremiah 19:1](/jeremiah/19-1 "Jeremiah 19:1 - Jeremiah and the Potter's Flask"). The Lord commands Jeremiah to take an earthenware flask, gather elders and priests, and go to the Valley of Hinnom, specifically to the Potsherd Gate. There, Jeremiah is to deliver a scathing indictment against Judah for their idolatry, specifically their practice of burning their children as offerings 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 Broken Flask Symbol") serves as a vivid, irreversible symbol of God's judgment: just as the flask cannot be mended, so Jerusalem will be shattered beyond repair. Verse 12 then explicitly connects this impending devastation to Tophet, emphasizing that the entire city will become a place of defilement and death, mirroring the very site of their abominable sins.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Jeremiah 19 takes place during a period of profound spiritual apostasy in the Southern Kingdom of Judah, likely during the reign of King Jehoiakim or Zedekiah, leading up to the Babylonian exile. Despite reforms under King Josiah (Jeremiah's contemporary), the people had quickly reverted to widespread idolatry, syncretism, and particularly the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice. The Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna), located just south of Jerusalem, was the infamous site of Tophet, where these horrific rituals to the Ammonite god Molech were performed. This practice was a direct violation of Mosaic Law ([Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10 - Abominations to the Lord")), and its prevalence underscored the depth of Judah's spiritual depravity. The comparison of Jerusalem to Tophet would have evoked images of death, defilement, and utter desolation in the minds of Jeremiah's audience, as Tophet was considered a place of extreme abomination, later even becoming a garbage dump where fires burned continuously.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment and Justice**, demonstrating God's righteous wrath against persistent sin and rebellion. The Lord, as a just judge, will not allow such abominations to go unpunished. Secondly, it underscores the severe **Consequences of Idolatry**, especially the detestable practice of child sacrifice, which defiled the land and broke God's covenant. The judgment is directly proportional to the sin committed. Thirdly, the theme of **Defilement and Desolation** is central, as Jerusalem, once God's holy city, is declared to become as defiled and abhorrent as Tophet itself, a place of utter ruin and corpses ([Jeremiah 7:32-33](/jeremiah/7-32 "Jeremiah 7:32-33 - Valley of Slaughter")). Finally, the phrase "saith the LORD" reinforces the theme of **God's Unwavering Word and Sovereignty**. What God declares through His prophet is certain to come to pass, demonstrating His absolute authority over nations and their destinies.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred covenant name of God, Jehovah, emphasizing His self-existent, eternal nature. Its presence here underscores that the judgment is not a mere human prediction or a random event, but a direct, authoritative decree from the sovereign God of Israel, the one who is faithful to His covenant, even in judgment. It highlights the divine origin and certainty of the pronouncement.
* **inhabitants (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to sit down" or "to dwell," this term refers to those who reside in Jerusalem. The judgment is not just upon the physical city but specifically upon its people, who are responsible for the abominations committed within its walls. It signifies that the consequences of their actions will directly fall upon them, leading to their displacement, destruction, or death, transforming their place of dwelling into a place of desolation.
* **Tophet (Hebrew, _Tôpheth'_):** This proper noun refers to a specific, infamous location in the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem, notorious as the site where Judahites offered their children as burnt sacrifices to Molech. By declaring that Jerusalem will be made "as Tophet," the Lord signifies that the entire city will be reduced to the same level of abhorrence, defilement, and utter destruction. It implies a place filled with corpses, a stench of death, and a perpetual reminder of divine wrath against their detestable sins.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus will I do unto this place":** This opening clause serves as a direct, authoritative declaration of divine action. "This place" refers specifically to Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, which was once considered holy and set apart for God. The phrase "Thus will I do" emphasizes the Lord's deliberate and decisive intention to bring about a severe judgment, not a passive observation but an active intervention.
* **"saith the LORD":** This is a powerful prophetic formula that authenticates the message as a direct utterance from God Himself. It removes any doubt about the source or authority of the pronouncement, confirming that Jeremiah is merely the messenger of the sovereign and covenant-keeping God, YHWH. It underscores the absolute certainty and divine origin of the impending judgment.
* **"and to the inhabitants thereof":** The judgment is not merely against the physical structures of the city but, more importantly, against its people. It highlights that the inhabitants are the primary recipients of God's wrath because they are the ones who committed the abominable sins, particularly the child sacrifices in Tophet, that provoked this divine response. Their dwelling place will become their place of judgment.
* **"and [even] make this city as Tophet":** This is the core of the judgment, employing a powerful simile. Jerusalem, once a beacon of God's presence, will be rendered as defiled, abhorrent, and desolate as Tophet itself. This means it will become a place of death, filled with unburied corpses, signifying complete ruin, public disgrace, and a perpetual monument to God's righteous indignation against their idolatry and child sacrifice.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 19:12 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment. The most prominent is **Simile**, explicitly stated in the phrase "make this city as Tophet." This comparison is not merely descriptive but deeply condemnatory, equating the once-holy city of Jerusalem with the most defiled and abhorrent place in Judah, the site of child sacrifice. This **Symbolism** of Tophet itself is crucial; it represents the ultimate depth of human depravity and the corresponding severity of divine wrath. By making Jerusalem "as Tophet," God declares that the entire city will be reduced to a state of moral and physical corruption, filled with death and desolation, mirroring the very abominations committed there. The declaration "saith the LORD" functions as a **Divine Pronouncement**, lending absolute authority and inevitability to the prophecy. This formula emphasizes that the judgment is not a human prediction but a decree from the sovereign God, ensuring its fulfillment. Furthermore, there's an element of **Irony** and **Poetic Justice** at play: the place where they committed their most detestable sins will become the very image of their punishment, turning their pride into public shame and their idolatrous altars into a literal graveyard.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 19:12 profoundly illustrates God's unyielding justice and the severe consequences of covenant infidelity, particularly idolatry and the heinous practice of child sacrifice. It reveals that God's patience has limits, and His holiness demands a response to such profound moral corruption. The comparison to Tophet signifies not just physical destruction but spiritual defilement and utter abandonment by God, a stark reminder that sin, especially that which involves the shedding of innocent blood and the rejection of God's exclusive worship, leads to ultimate desolation. This judgment serves as a terrifying demonstration of God's commitment to His own character and His covenant, even if it means bringing devastation upon His chosen people when they persistently rebel.

* [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice")
* [Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10 - Abominations to the Lord")
* [Jeremiah 7:32-33](/jeremiah/7-32 "Jeremiah 7:32-33 - Valley of Slaughter and Unburied Corpses")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 19:12 serves as a chilling reminder of the gravity of sin and the certainty of divine judgment. It compels us to confront the reality that God is not indifferent to human rebellion, especially when it involves the shedding of innocent blood or the perversion of worship. For us today, while we may not engage in literal child sacrifice, the spirit of Tophet can manifest in our lives through the sacrifice of our children's innocence on the altars of worldly ambition, consumerism, or moral compromise. This verse calls us to a radical self-examination, to identify and dismantle any "Tophets" in our own hearts or communities where we might be sacrificing what is pure and holy for what is profane. It urges us to embrace true repentance, to turn wholeheartedly from all forms of idolatry—whether of self, money, power, or pleasure—and to live lives marked by genuine worship and obedience to the One True God. The ultimate lesson is that God's holiness demands purity, and His justice ensures that all unrighteousness will eventually face its reckoning, prompting us to live in reverent fear and humble submission.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might the "spirit of Tophet"—sacrificing what is sacred for what is profane—manifest in my own life or in my community today?**
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment, as declared in this verse, shape my understanding of His character and my motivation for holiness?**
* **What idols, subtle or overt, might I be allowing to defile my "city" (my heart, my home, my sphere of influence), and how can I actively dismantle them?**
* **How does this passage encourage me to pray for and pursue spiritual purity, both personally and corporately?**

### FAQ

**What was Tophet, and why was it so significant to this prophecy?**

Answer: Tophet was a specific location within the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna), just outside the walls of Jerusalem. It became infamous as the primary site where the people of Judah, particularly during the reigns of wicked kings like Ahaz and Manasseh, engaged in the horrific practice of offering their children as burnt sacrifices to the Ammonite god Molech. This practice was a direct and egregious violation of God's law and a profound act of spiritual apostasy. Its significance to the prophecy in [Jeremiah 19:12](/jeremiah/19-12 "Jeremiah 19:12 - Jerusalem as Tophet") lies in its symbolism: by declaring that Jerusalem would become "as Tophet," God was proclaiming that the entire city, once considered holy, would be reduced to the same level of abhorrence, defilement, and utter desolation as that cursed place of child sacrifice. It signified complete ruin, filled with unburied corpses, a public monument to divine wrath against their detestable sins.

**Does "make this city as Tophet" imply literal burning or just defilement?**

Answer: While Tophet was associated with fires (for sacrifices and later for burning refuse), the phrase "make this city as Tophet" in [Jeremiah 19:12](/jeremiah/19-12 "Jeremiah 19:12 - Jerusalem as Tophet") primarily implies profound defilement, desolation, and a place of death, rather than exclusively literal burning. The Valley of Hinnom, including Tophet, became a place where unburied corpses would lie, and later, a place for burning garbage and dead bodies, making it a symbol of utter contempt and destruction. So, while fire might be part of the imagery (as in the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians), the core meaning is that Jerusalem would become an abhorrent, defiled wasteland, a place of death and public shame, mirroring the spiritual and physical abomination of Tophet itself. It signifies that the city would be unfit for habitation, a place of utter ruin and a testament to God's judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 19:12 is a stark prophecy of judgment against rebellious Judah, its Christ-centered fulfillment is found in the ultimate judgment upon sin that Jesus Christ bore on the cross, and the new covenant He inaugurated. The defilement of Tophet, a place of death and abomination, foreshadows the ultimate consequence of sin: spiritual death and separation from God. Yet, Christ, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), became the perfect sacrifice, bearing the judgment for our sins so that we might be cleansed from all defilement. He was "made sin for us" ([2_corinthians/5-21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), experiencing the ultimate desolation and separation from the Father on the cross, a spiritual "Tophet" of divine wrath against sin. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered sin and death, offering a path to true spiritual purity and a new covenant where hearts are transformed, not merely cities destroyed ([jeremiah/31-31](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31 - The New Covenant")). The Valley of Hinnom, or Gehenna, later became a New Testament symbol for eternal judgment ([mark/9-43](/mark/9-43 "Mark 9:43 - Gehenna as Eternal Fire")), a destiny from which Christ delivers those who believe in Him, offering them eternal life and a new, undefiled Jerusalem ([revelation/21-1](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - The New Heaven and New Earth")). Thus, Christ fulfills this prophecy not by bringing a literal Tophet to His people, but by absorbing the judgment of Tophet on Himself, offering redemption and a way to escape the ultimate consequences of sin.

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

Jeremiah 10:13

When he uttereth his voice, [there is] a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

Jeremiah 11:5

That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as [it is] this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.