Jeremiah 19:5

KJV

They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire [for] burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake [it], neither came [it] into my mind:

KJV (with Strong's)

They have built {H1129} also the high places {H1116} of Baal {H1168}, to burn {H8313} their sons {H1121} with fire {H784} for burnt offerings {H5930} unto Baal {H1168}, which I commanded {H6680} not, nor spake {H1696} it, neither came {H5927} it into my mind {H3820}:

Complete Jewish Bible

They have built the high places of Ba'al, in order to burn up their children in the fire as burnt offerings to Ba'al - something I never ordered or said; it never even entered my mind.

Berean Standard Bible

They have built high places to Baal on which to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I never commanded or mentioned, nor did it even enter My mind.

American Standard Version

and have built the high places of Baal, to burn their sons in the fire for burnt-offerings unto Baal; which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 19:5 delivers a scathing divine indictment against the people of Judah for their heinous practice of child sacrifice to the pagan deity Baal. The verse highlights the extreme depths of their apostasy, revealing that they not only erected "high places" for idolatrous worship but also engaged in the abhorrent ritual of burning their own children as offerings. God's emphatic declaration that such practices were neither commanded nor even conceived in His mind underscores the profound chasm between His holy character and the detestable actions of His people, signaling the severe judgment that their rebellion would incur.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a series of prophetic pronouncements in Jeremiah 19, where the prophet is commanded by God to take a potter's flask to the Valley of Hinnom (Tophet) and smash it before the elders and priests. This dramatic object lesson serves as a vivid prophecy of Jerusalem's impending destruction and desolation, mirroring the brokenness of the flask. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 19:1-4) set the scene, identifying the location and the severe charges against Judah for forsaking God and filling the place with innocent blood. Jeremiah 19:5 specifically details one of the most egregious sins—child sacrifice—which is a primary reason for the coming judgment. The verses that follow (Jeremiah 19:6-9) elaborate on the horrific consequences of their actions, including famine, siege, and cannibalism, all culminating in the city becoming a "Tophet" itself, a place of slaughter and burial. The entire chapter functions as a powerful, visceral warning of divine wrath against profound spiritual rebellion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's ministry took place during the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a period of intense political instability and spiritual decline in Judah, leading up to the Babylonian exile. The "high places" (Hebrew: *bâmâh*) were elevated cultic sites, often on hilltops or artificial mounds, used for pagan worship. While some were originally dedicated to Yahweh, many had been corrupted by syncretism or were explicitly built for foreign deities like Baal and Molech. The Valley of Hinnom, or Gehenna, just outside Jerusalem, became notorious as the primary location for the horrific practice of child sacrifice, particularly at a site within it known as Tophet. This abominable ritual, common among Canaanite cultures, involved offering children as burnt sacrifices to appease deities, often in times of national crisis or to secure prosperity. It represented the ultimate rejection of the covenant God, who had explicitly forbidden such practices in His law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 12:31](/deuteronomy/12-31 "Deuteronomy 12:31 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice")). The people of Judah, despite their covenant relationship with Yahweh, had adopted these detestable customs, demonstrating a profound spiritual apostasy and a complete disregard for God's commands and His very nature.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 19:5 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Radical Idolatry and Apostasy**, showing the extreme lengths to which Judah had fallen in their rejection of the Lord and embrace of paganism. The sacrifice of their own children to Baal represents the ultimate perversion of worship and a complete abandonment of their covenant obligations. Secondly, the verse highlights **God's Absolute Repudiation of Evil**, particularly child sacrifice. The emphatic divine declaration, "which I commanded not, nor spake [it], neither came [it] into my mind," serves as a profound statement of God's utter abhorrence for such practices, emphasizing that they are antithetical to His holy character and divine will. This theme of divine revulsion is echoed throughout the prophetic literature (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:31](/jeremiah/7-31 "Jeremiah 7:31 - Tophet and Child Sacrifice") and [Jeremiah 32:35](/jeremiah/32-35 "Jeremiah 32:35 - God's Condemnation of Child Sacrifice")). Finally, the verse foreshadows the **Inevitable Consequences of Disobedience and Judgment**. This egregious sin is presented as a primary catalyst for the severe divine judgment that would befall Judah, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile, a recurring motif throughout Jeremiah's prophecies.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **high places (Hebrew, _bâmâh'_):** This term refers to elevated cultic sites, often on hills or constructed platforms, used for religious worship. While some *bâmâh* were originally dedicated to Yahweh, by Jeremiah's time, they were predominantly associated with syncretistic or purely pagan worship, especially involving Canaanite deities like Baal. Their construction for child sacrifice signifies a complete departure from the pure worship of the Lord and a deep entrenchment in idolatry.
* **Baal (Hebrew, _Baʻal'_):** Meaning "lord" or "master," Baal was a prominent Canaanite storm and fertility god. His worship often involved practices designed to ensure agricultural bounty and human fertility, sometimes including ritual prostitution and, tragically, child sacrifice. The dedication of these "high places" and the offering of children specifically to Baal demonstrate Judah's adoption of the most detestable aspects of Canaanite religion, directly defying the God of Israel.
* **mind (Hebrew, _lêb'_):** This word, often translated as "heart" in English, encompasses not only emotions but also the intellect, will, and the very core of a person's being or thoughts. When God declares that child sacrifice "came [it] into my mind," it is an emphatic statement of absolute repudiation. It signifies that such an act was not merely forbidden by a command, but was utterly alien to God's character, His intentions, and His very nature. It was never conceived, never desired, and never part of His divine plan for humanity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They have built also the high places of Baal":** This clause highlights the deliberate and active nature of Judah's idolatry. The construction of these cultic sites demonstrates a committed, organized, and public embrace of pagan worship, moving beyond mere individual transgression to a national apostasy. The specific dedication to "Baal" identifies the foreign deity they chose to serve over the Lord.
* **"to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal":** This segment reveals the horrific climax of their idolatry: the sacrifice of their own children. The phrase "burn their sons with fire" indicates a gruesome, complete immolation, a practice known as *molk* sacrifice, often associated with Molech but here explicitly linked to Baal. The term "burnt offerings" (Hebrew: *ʻôlâh*) is ironic, as *ʻôlâh* was a legitimate offering to Yahweh, signifying complete devotion. Here, it is twisted into a perverted act of devotion to a false god, involving the most precious sacrifice imaginable—one's own offspring.
* **"which I commanded not, nor spake [it], neither came [it] into my mind":** This powerful triple negation from God serves as the divine verdict. "Commanded not" emphasizes the direct violation of His explicit laws (e.g., [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice")). "Nor spake [it]" reinforces that this practice was never part of His divine revelation or instruction. "Neither came [it] into my mind" is the strongest repudiation, conveying God's utter abhorrence and the absolute foreignness of such an act to His holy and loving nature. It underscores that this depravity was purely a product of human sin and rebellion, entirely alien to the divine will.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 19:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most striking is **Anthropomorphism**, where God is described as having a "mind" into which certain thoughts or actions could or could not "come." This human-like expression ("neither came [it] into my mind") serves to emphasize the profound distance between God's holy character and the detestable practice of child sacrifice, making His revulsion relatable and powerfully clear to a human audience. The verse also uses **Irony** by applying the term "burnt offerings" (Hebrew: *ʻôlâh*), which was a legitimate form of worship to Yahweh, to the abhorrent act of child sacrifice to Baal. This highlights the perversion of true worship and the depths of Judah's spiritual depravity. Furthermore, the triple negation—"commanded not, nor spake [it], neither came [it] into my mind"—is a form of **Climax** or **Emphasis**, building from a simple prohibition to an ultimate declaration of utter foreignness to God's nature, thereby magnifying His righteous indignation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 19:5 stands as a stark testament to the profound depravity of idolatry and God's absolute intolerance for practices that violate the sanctity of human life, particularly the innocent. Theologically, it underscores the uniqueness of Yahweh as a God who values life and demands ethical purity, in stark contrast to the cruel and destructive deities of the surrounding nations. It reveals that God's commands are not arbitrary but flow from His very character, which is inherently good, just, and life-affirming. The act of child sacrifice, therefore, was not merely a breach of law but a direct assault on God's nature and His covenant relationship with His people, demonstrating a complete spiritual blindness and moral corruption that warranted severe judgment.

* [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice")
* [Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10 - Abominable Practices Forbidden")
* [Psalm 106:37-38](/psalm/106-37 "Psalm 106:37-38 - Sacrifice of Sons and Daughters to Demons")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal practice of child sacrifice is largely absent in contemporary societies, Jeremiah 19:5 remains profoundly relevant, serving as a powerful warning against modern forms of idolatry and the compromise of divine truth. It challenges us to examine what we prioritize above God in our lives—whether it be career advancement, financial security, personal comfort, social acceptance, or even the pursuit of pleasure. Anything that demands our ultimate allegiance, our deepest trust, or causes us to sacrifice our moral integrity or the well-being of others for its sake, can become a modern "Baal." This verse calls us to an uncompromising devotion to the one true God, reminding us that His commands are not burdensome but are expressions of His good and perfect will for our flourishing. It also underscores the sanctity of human life, particularly the vulnerable, urging us to advocate for and protect those who cannot protect themselves, reflecting God's own heart. Ultimately, it is a call to spiritual discernment, to reject cultural norms that contradict God's revealed truth, and to live lives of radical obedience and worship that are truly pleasing to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "high places" or idols might I be building in my own life, consciously or unconsciously, that demand my ultimate allegiance or sacrifice?**
* **In what ways might I be compromising God's clear commands or moral standards in pursuit of personal gain, cultural acceptance, or worldly success?**
* **How does God's absolute abhorrence for child sacrifice in this verse inform my understanding of the sanctity of human life in all its stages?**
* **What steps can I take to ensure my worship and devotion are solely directed towards the Lord, and not subtly diverted to other gods?**

### FAQ

**What were "high places" and why were they associated with Baal?**

Answer: "High places" (Hebrew: *bâmâh*) were elevated sites, often natural hills or constructed platforms, used for religious worship. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Canaanite, it was common to worship deities at such elevated locations, believed to be closer to the heavens where the gods resided. While some early Israelite "high places" might have been dedicated to Yahweh, many became corrupted through syncretism or were explicitly built for foreign deities. By Jeremiah's time, "high places of Baal" specifically referred to cultic sites where the Canaanite storm and fertility god Baal was worshipped. This worship often involved practices contrary to God's law, including ritual prostitution and, as seen in [Jeremiah 19:5](/jeremiah/19-5 "Jeremiah 19:5 - Child Sacrifice to Baal"), child sacrifice, making them symbols of Judah's profound apostasy.

**Why was child sacrifice so offensive to God?**

Answer: Child sacrifice was an abomination to God for several fundamental reasons. Firstly, it directly violated the sanctity of human life, which God Himself created and declared good. Children, particularly, are seen as a blessing and a heritage from the Lord ([Psalm 127:3](/psalm/127-3 "Psalm 127:3 - Children are a Heritage from the LORD")). To offer them in such a horrific manner was a perversion of God's design and a profound act of cruelty. Secondly, it was a direct challenge to God's exclusive sovereignty and holiness. God had commanded Israel to worship Him alone and had explicitly forbidden the practices of the surrounding nations, including child sacrifice ([Deuteronomy 12:31](/deuteronomy/12-31 "Deuteronomy 12:31 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice")). Engaging in such a ritual meant rejecting their covenant with Yahweh and embracing the demonic practices of paganism ([Psalm 106:37-38](/psalm/106-37 "Psalm 106:37-38 - Sacrifice to Demons")). Finally, God states emphatically that this practice "came [it] into my mind," highlighting that such depravity was utterly alien to His nature, His will, and His loving character. It represented the ultimate spiritual and moral degradation of His people.

**What is the significance of God saying, "neither came [it] into my mind"?**

Answer: This phrase is a powerful anthropomorphism, where God uses human language to express His absolute revulsion and dissociation from the practice of child sacrifice. It goes beyond merely stating a prohibition ("commanded not, nor spake it") to convey that such an act was utterly foreign to His thoughts, His character, and His divine being. It was never conceived, never desired, and never part of His plan or will for humanity. It emphasizes that this horrific practice was a purely human invention, born out of deep spiritual rebellion and moral corruption, and stands in stark contrast to God's holy, life-affirming nature. It represented the ultimate spiritual and moral degradation of His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 19:5, with its graphic depiction of child sacrifice and God's emphatic repudiation of it, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate, unique, and divinely sanctioned sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The abhorrent offerings to Baal were a perversion of worship, a human attempt to appease false gods through unspeakable cruelty, completely alien to God's mind. In stark contrast, God Himself provided the perfect and final "burnt offering" in His Son, Jesus, who was "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). While the people of Judah offered their innocent children in a futile attempt to gain favor, God, out of His boundless love, offered His innocent Son as a willing sacrifice to secure humanity's salvation ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). The death of Christ on the cross was not a horrific ritual demanded by a capricious deity, but a redemptive act of divine love and justice, fulfilling the true meaning of a "burnt offering"—complete devotion and atonement—in a way that the Old Testament sacrifices could only foreshadow ([Hebrews 9:26-28](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26-28 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")). Thus, Jeremiah's condemnation of a sacrifice God never commanded points forward to the one sacrifice God *did* provide, which truly cleanses from sin and brings reconciliation, perfectly aligning with His holy character and loving heart ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")).

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 32:35

And they built the high places of Baal, which [are] in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through [the fire] unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

Deuteronomy 12:31

Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.

Psalms 106:37

Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,

Psalms 106:38

And shed innocent blood, [even] the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.

Leviticus 18:21

And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through [the fire] to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I [am] the LORD.

Ezekiel 16:20

Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. [Is this] of thy whoredoms a small matter,

Ezekiel 16:21

That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through [the fire] for them?