19:11 19:11

Jeremiah 19:12

19:13 19:13

Bible Versions

Thus will I do unto this place, saith the LORD, and to the inhabitants thereof, and [even] make this city as Tophet:
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}:
That is what I will do to this place,' says ADONAI 'and to its inhabitants; I will make it like Tofet.
This is what I will do to this place and to its residents, declares the LORD. I will make this city like Topheth.
Thus will I do unto this place, saith Jehovah, and to the inhabitants thereof, even making this city as Topheth:

Context

Jeremiah 19:12 is part of a dramatic prophetic act and pronouncement delivered by the prophet Jeremiah, often called the "weeping prophet," during a period of deep spiritual decline in Judah. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 19:1-11) describe the Lord instructing Jeremiah to take a potter's earthenware flask, go to the Valley of Hinnom (also known as the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, or Gehenna), and there, in the presence of the elders and priests, declare God's judgment against Jerusalem and its inhabitants. The breaking of the flask in Jeremiah 19:10 symbolizes the irreversible shattering of Judah due to their persistent sin, particularly their idolatry and the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice to false gods like Molech in Tophet. This specific verse (19:12) reiterates the severity and certainty of that judgment, explicitly linking the city's fate to the defilement of Tophet itself.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Justice: The verse powerfully conveys God's righteous anger and unwavering commitment to judge sin. Jerusalem, once holy, will face severe consequences for its rebellion.
  • Consequences of Idolatry: The primary catalyst for this judgment is the widespread idolatry and the horrific practice of child sacrifice that had defiled the land and its people.
  • Defilement and Desolation: The comparison to "Tophet" signifies complete defilement and utter devastation. The city will become an abomination, a place of death and destruction, mirroring the very place of their detestable sins.
  • God's Unwavering Word: The phrase "saith the LORD" underscores the absolute authority and certainty of God's prophetic word. What He declares will come to pass.

Linguistic Insights

The pivotal term in this verse is "Tophet" (Hebrew: Tofet).

Tophet was a specific location in the Valley of Hinnom (Gehinnom, from which the New Testament term Gehenna is derived), just outside Jerusalem's walls. It became infamous as the primary site where the people of Judah, particularly during the reigns of wicked kings like Ahaz and Manasseh, offered their children as burnt sacrifices to the Ammonite god Molech.

The prophet Jeremiah frequently condemns this practice, as seen in Jeremiah 7:31 and Jeremiah 32:35. King Josiah had attempted to defile Tophet to prevent further sacrifices (2 Kings 23:10), but the people reverted to their evil ways. By declaring that Jerusalem would become "as Tophet," God was proclaiming that the entire city would be reduced to the same level of abhorrence, defilement, and destruction as that cursed place of child sacrifice. It would become a place of corpses and utter ruin, a stark symbol of divine wrath.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 19:12 serves as a stark reminder of several timeless truths:

  1. The Gravity of Sin: God does not take sin lightly, especially deliberate and abhorrent acts like idolatry and violence against the innocent. There are severe consequences for rebellion against His commands.
  2. God's Justice is Certain: While God is patient and merciful, His justice is inevitable. He will ultimately judge all unrighteousness, and His word will always be fulfilled. This should inspire both fear and reverence.
  3. The Call to Repentance: The prophecies of judgment in Jeremiah were often accompanied by calls to repentance. Though this verse is a pronouncement of doom, the overarching message of the prophets was to turn from sin before it's too late.
  4. Spiritual Purity Matters: The defilement of Jerusalem mirrored the spiritual defilement of its people. This calls believers to guard against spiritual compromise and to pursue holiness, understanding that our actions have far-reaching implications.
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.

  • 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.
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