Jeremiah 19:13

KJV

And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the houses {H1004} of Jerusalem {H3389}, and the houses {H1004} of the kings {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, shall be defiled {H2931} as the place {H4725} of Tophet {H8612}, because of all the houses {H1004} upon whose roofs {H1406} they have burned incense {H6999} unto all the host {H6635} of heaven {H8064}, and have poured out {H5258} drink offerings {H5262} unto other {H312} gods {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The houses of Yerushalayim and those of the kings of Y'hudah will be defiled like this place Tofet - yes, all the houses on whose roofs they have offered to all the stars in heaven and poured out drink offerings to other gods.'"

Berean Standard Bible

The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah will be defiled like that place, Topheth—all the houses on whose rooftops they burned incense to all the host of heaven and poured out drink offerings to other gods.”

American Standard Version

and the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, which are defiled, shall be as the place of Topheth, even all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink-offerings unto other gods.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 19:13 delivers a severe divine indictment against Jerusalem and Judah for their pervasive and public idolatry, declaring that their homes, including those of the kings, will be defiled like the abhorrent place of Tophet. This judgment is pronounced as a direct consequence of the widespread practice of burning incense and pouring out drink offerings on their rooftops to the "host of heaven" and "other gods," a blatant violation of God's covenant and a deep spiritual rebellion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 19:13 is a pivotal verse within the dramatic "potter's flask" prophecy (Jeremiah 19:1-15), which serves as a powerful object lesson illustrating God's impending judgment on Judah. The prophet Jeremiah is commanded to take an earthenware flask, go to the Valley of Hinnom (specifically Tophet), and there, before the elders and priests, smash the flask. This act symbolizes God's intention to shatter the nation of Judah and Jerusalem beyond repair, just as a broken pot cannot be mended. Verse 13 explicitly states the *reason* for this shattering judgment, linking the defilement of the city to the idolatrous practices carried out in its very homes. It serves as the culmination of the charges against the people, following the symbolic act and preceding Jeremiah's public declaration of the word of the Lord in the temple court (Jeremiah 19:14-15), confirming the prophecy's scope and certainty.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah ministered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, from the late 7th to early 6th century BCE, leading up to the Babylonian exile. Despite reforms by King Josiah, the nation's spiritual decline was deeply entrenched, largely due to the pervasive idolatry that had flourished under previous kings like Manasseh. Manasseh, in particular, was notorious for building altars to the "host of heaven" in the temple courts and engaging in child sacrifice in the Valley of Hinnom, the very place known as Tophet ([2 Kings 21:3-6](/2_kings/21-3-6 "2 Kings 21:3-6 - Manasseh's Idolatry")). The practice of burning incense and pouring drink offerings on rooftops was a common form of worship in the ancient Near East, often directed towards astral deities. For Judah, however, directing such worship to the "host of heaven" (celestial bodies) and "other gods" was a direct and egregious violation of the First Commandment and the exclusive covenant with Yahweh ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")). Tophet, located in the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna) just outside Jerusalem, was infamous as a site of horrific child sacrifices to the pagan god Molech ([Jeremiah 7:31](/jeremiah/7-31 "Jeremiah 7:31 - Abominations in Tophet")). The comparison of Jerusalem's homes to Tophet is a damning indictment, signifying that the holy city itself would become a place of utter abomination, defilement, and death.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 19:13 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment for Idolatry**, illustrating God's righteous anger and impending wrath against His people for their persistent unfaithfulness and worship of false gods. Their spiritual defilement through pagan practices directly leads to their own defilement and ruin. This highlights the **Pervasive Nature of Sin**, as idolatry was not confined to a few individuals but had permeated every level of society, from ordinary homes to royal palaces, indicating a deep-seated spiritual rebellion. The verse also underscores the severe **Consequences of Disobedience**, showing how the defilement of Jerusalem's homes serves as a direct outcome of their actions, transforming places meant for life and worship into sites of death and shame, mirroring the abhorrent practices they embraced. Finally, it emphasizes the **Seriousness of Spiritual Defilement**, as the comparison to Tophet underscores the extreme nature of their sin, equating their homes, once dedicated to God, with the most detestable pagan sites, a stark warning against syncretism and spiritual compromise ([Deuteronomy 17:3](/deuteronomy/17-3 "Deuteronomy 17:3 - Prohibition of Astral Worship")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Defiled (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ'_):** From H2931, meaning "foul in a religious sense; unclean." This word carries significant weight in Israelite religious law, denoting ritual impurity that renders a person or object unfit for sacred use or presence before God. Here, it signifies not merely a ceremonial uncleanness but a profound spiritual and moral corruption that has permeated the very fabric of Jerusalem's domestic and royal life. The defilement is so severe that it transforms the city's homes into something akin to Tophet, a place of ultimate abomination.
* **Tophet (Hebrew, _Tôpheth'_):** H8612, a specific place near Jerusalem, infamous for child sacrifice. Tophet was a site of extreme pagan worship, particularly associated with the horrific practice of burning children as offerings to Molech. Its name is often linked to the Hebrew root for "burning" or "drumming" (perhaps to drown out the cries of the children). By comparing the houses of Jerusalem and Judah to Tophet, Jeremiah emphasizes the utter detestation God holds for their idolatry, equating their once-holy city with a place of ultimate sacrilege, death, and divine judgment.
* **Host of heaven (Hebrew, _tsâbâʼ shâmayim'_):** H6635 (tsâbâʼ, "mass of persons, army, host") and H8064 (shâmayim, "sky, heaven"). This phrase refers to the celestial bodies—the sun, moon, and stars—which were worshipped as deities by surrounding pagan nations. For Israel, worshipping the "host of heaven" was a direct and grievous violation of the covenant, as it diverted worship from the one true God, the Creator of the heavens, to His creation. This practice was a pervasive form of idolatry in Judah, signifying a deep apostasy from Yahweh.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah":** This clause establishes the broad scope of the judgment and the pervasive nature of the sin. It indicates that the idolatry was not confined to a few individuals or specific cultic sites but had permeated every level of society, from the common households of Jerusalem to the royal residences of Judah's kings, signifying a complete societal spiritual corruption.
* **"shall be defiled as the place of Tophet":** This is the core pronouncement of judgment, a powerful simile. Jerusalem's homes, once intended to be places of covenant faithfulness and purity, will be rendered ritually and spiritually unclean, reduced to the abhorrent status of Tophet. This implies that these homes will become places of death, refuse, and divine curse, mirroring the defilement of the Valley of Hinnom where abominable sacrifices took place and where corpses and refuse were burned.
* **"because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods":** This final clause provides the explicit reason for the impending defilement and judgment. The "rooftops" signify public and widespread idolatry, as these were visible and accessible spaces for worship in ancient Near Eastern homes. The specific acts of "burning incense" and "pouring out drink offerings" were common forms of worship, but here they are directed toward "the host of heaven" (astral deities) and "other gods," representing a complete abandonment of Yahweh worship for pagan practices.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 19:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of judgment. The most striking is **Simile**, evident in the phrase "shall be defiled as the place of Tophet." This comparison vividly links the future state of Jerusalem's homes to a site notorious for its abomination and ritual impurity (child sacrifice), emphasizing the extreme nature of the city's spiritual degradation and the severity of God's impending judgment. **Symbolism** is also at play, as Tophet itself functions as a powerful symbol of ultimate defilement, divine wrath, and the consequences of apostasy. The "houses of Jerusalem" and "houses of the kings of Judah" employ **Metonymy**, representing not just the physical structures but the entire populace, from common citizens to the highest echelons of leadership, underscoring the pervasive nature of the idolatry. The description of "burning incense" and "pouring out drink offerings" on "roofs" paints a clear picture of the public and widespread nature of their sin, using vivid imagery to highlight the blatant disregard for God's commands.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 19:13 profoundly underscores the biblical principle that idolatry is not merely a minor transgression but a fundamental betrayal of God's covenant and an act of spiritual defilement that invites severe divine judgment. It highlights God's absolute demand for exclusive worship, rooted in His holy character and His unique identity as the one true God. The pervasive nature of the sin, reaching from common homes to royal palaces, demonstrates that spiritual corruption at the individual level inevitably leads to societal decay and ultimately, national judgment. The comparison to Tophet, a place of abhorrent child sacrifice, emphasizes the extreme degree of their apostasy and the depth of God's righteous anger against practices that violate human dignity and divine holiness. This passage serves as a timeless reminder that true worship involves undivided devotion to God alone, and any deviation or compromise leads to spiritual impurity and its dire consequences.

* [Deuteronomy 4:19](/deuteronomy/4-19 "Deuteronomy 4:19 - Warning Against Astral Worship")
* [Leviticus 18:24-25](/leviticus/18-24-25 "Leviticus 18:24-25 - Land Vomits Out Inhabitants for Abominations")
* [Romans 1:21-23](/romans/1-21-23 "Romans 1:21-23 - Suppressing Truth and Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 19:13 stands as a stark and enduring warning against the insidious nature of idolatry, a sin that remains profoundly relevant even in contemporary society. While we may not literally burn incense on our rooftops to celestial bodies, the essence of idolatry—placing anything or anyone before God in our affections, priorities, and worship—persists in myriad forms. Modern "host of heaven" can manifest as the relentless pursuit of wealth, status, power, comfort, self-gratification, or even the worship of ideologies and political systems. This verse challenges us to critically examine the "rooftops" of our own lives—the visible and public aspects, as well as the hidden corners of our hearts and homes—to discern what truly receives our ultimate devotion and offerings. The defilement of Jerusalem's houses serves as a sobering reminder that spiritual compromise and unfaithfulness inevitably lead to a degradation of holiness, purity, and blessing, both individually and corporately. It calls us to a radical, exclusive devotion to the one true God, ensuring that our lives, homes, and communities are consecrated to Him alone, reflecting His holiness rather than being defiled by the idols of our age.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "rooftop altars" might exist in our lives today, where we offer devotion, time, or resources to things other than God?**
* **How do we ensure our homes and communities remain places of worship and holiness, rather than becoming "defiled" by worldly influences or subtle forms of idolatry?**
* **What steps can we take to identify and dismantle subtle forms of idolatry in our hearts and lives, ensuring our worship is exclusively directed towards God?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of "Tophet" and why is it used as a comparison here?**

Answer: Tophet was a specific site within the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna), located just outside Jerusalem. It was infamous as a place where the horrific practice of child sacrifice to the pagan god Molech took place ([Jeremiah 7:31](/jeremiah/7-31 "Jeremiah 7:31 - The Abomination of Tophet")). As such, Tophet was considered a place of extreme abomination, ritual impurity, and divine curse. By comparing the houses of Jerusalem and Judah to Tophet, Jeremiah emphasizes the depth of their spiritual defilement due to widespread idolatry. It signifies that the city, once holy and dedicated to Yahweh, would become so utterly corrupted and detestable in God's eyes that it would be reduced to the status of this abhorrent site, filled with death and refuse, reflecting the severity of God's righteous judgment.

**What does "host of heaven" refer to in this context?**

Answer: The "host of heaven" refers to the celestial bodies—the sun, moon, and stars—which were worshipped as deities by pagan nations in the ancient Near East. This practice was a common form of astral worship, where people believed these heavenly bodies influenced their lives and were worthy of veneration. For Israel, however, worshipping the "host of heaven" was explicitly forbidden, as it constituted a direct violation of the First Commandment and God's exclusive claim to worship ([Deuteronomy 4:19](/deuteronomy/4-19 "Deuteronomy 4:19 - Warning Against Astral Worship")). It represented a profound act of apostasy, turning away from the Creator to worship His creation, and was a major reason for God's judgment on Judah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 19:13, with its stark prophecy of defilement due to idolatry, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. First, Jesus Himself confronted the defilement of God's house, not by pagan idols, but by commercialism and unrighteousness, cleansing the temple and declaring it a "house of prayer" ([Matthew 21:12-13](/matthew/21-12-13 "Matthew 21:12-13 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")). This act foreshadows His greater work of spiritual cleansing. Second, while the Old Covenant brought judgment for external defilement and idolatry, Christ offers a radical solution to the root problem of the human heart's idolatry. He is the ultimate sacrifice whose blood cleanses not just ceremonial impurities, but our consciences from dead works to serve the living God ([Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13-14 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). Through His atoning work, believers are transformed into "temples of the Holy Spirit," called to glorify God in their bodies and to worship Him exclusively, no longer defiled by false gods or worldly affections ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our Bodies as Temples")). The judgment on Tophet and the defilement of Jerusalem's houses ultimately point to the necessity of a new covenant, where true worship is not confined to physical locations or external rituals, but is offered "in spirit and truth" through Christ ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), leading to a spiritual purity and an undivided heart that the Old Covenant could only foreshadow.

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 32:29

And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods, to provoke me to anger.

2 Kings 23:12

And the altars that [were] on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and brake [them] down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.

Zephaniah 1:5

And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship [and] that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham;

Jeremiah 7:18

The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead [their] dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.

Deuteronomy 4:19

And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, [even] all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

Ezekiel 7:21

And I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil; and they shall pollute it.

Ezekiel 7:22

My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret [place]: for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it.