Jeremiah 19:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore, behold, the days {H3117} come {H935}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, that this place {H4725} shall no more be called {H7121} Tophet {H8612}, nor The valley {H1516} of the son {H1121} of Hinnom {H2011}, but The valley {H1516} of slaughter {H2028}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'"Therefore the time is coming," says ADONAI, "when this place will no longer be called either Tofet or the Ben-Hinnom Valley, but the Valley of Slaughter.

Berean Standard Bible

So behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when this place will no longer be called Topheth or the Valley of Ben-hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter.

American Standard Version

therefore, behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that this place shall no more be called Topheth, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of Slaughter.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 19:6 delivers a chilling prophetic declaration from the LORD, announcing a profound and terrifying renaming of a notorious location. The place historically known as Tophet, or the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, would no longer bear these names but would henceforth be called "The valley of slaughter." This renaming is not merely a change in designation but a divine pronouncement signifying a radical transformation of its purpose, foretelling the horrific and widespread carnage that would unfold there as a direct consequence of Judah's persistent sin and God's righteous judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic pronouncement within a dramatic prophetic act initiated by God's command to Jeremiah in [Jeremiah 19:1](/jeremiah/19-1 "Jeremiah 19:1 - The Potter's Flask"). Jeremiah is instructed to take an earthenware flask, gather some of the elders and priests, and go to the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, specifically to Tophet. There, before witnesses, Jeremiah is to break the flask, symbolizing God's impending shattering of Judah and Jerusalem due to their egregious sins. The preceding verses detail the specific abominations committed by the people, particularly the horrific practice of child sacrifice to Baal, filling the valley with innocent blood ([Jeremiah 19:4-5](/jeremiah/19-4 "Jeremiah 19:4-5 - The Abomination of Child Sacrifice")). The renaming in [Jeremiah 19:6](/jeremiah/19-6 "Jeremiah 19:6 - The Valley of Slaughter Prophecy") serves as the direct, inescapable consequence and a grim summary of the judgment to come, immediately followed by the declaration of Jerusalem's desolation ([Jeremiah 19:7-9](/jeremiah/19-7 "Jeremiah 19:7-9 - Desolation of Jerusalem")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Valley of the Son of Hinnom (Hebrew: *Gehinnom*), located just south and southwest of ancient Jerusalem, held a dark reputation. It was the primary site where the people of Judah, influenced by Canaanite religious practices, engaged in the detestable ritual of child sacrifice to false gods like Molech and Baal. This practice was a direct violation of God's law, explicitly forbidden as an abomination in passages such as [Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice") and [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Passing Children Through Fire"). Despite the efforts of righteous kings like Josiah to defile and cleanse the area, making it unfit for worship ([2 Kings 23:10](/2_kings/23-10 "2 Kings 23:10 - Josiah Defiles Tophet")), the people repeatedly reverted to these detestable practices, provoking God's righteous wrath. The name "Tophet" itself is often associated with the sound of drums or tambourines, possibly used to drown out the cries of the children being sacrificed. The prophecy underscores the depth of Judah's spiritual apostasy and the severity of the divine response to such profound moral corruption.
* **Key Themes:** The renaming of the valley in [Jeremiah 19:6](/jeremiah/19-6 "Jeremiah 19:6 - The Valley of Slaughter Prophecy") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment**, unequivocally declaring God's severe and imminent retribution upon Judah for their persistent idolatry and moral corruption. The transformation of a place of abomination into a "valley of slaughter" highlights the direct and terrifying **Consequences of Sin**, emphasizing that spiritual rebellion and turning away from God lead to widespread death and desolation. The phrase "behold, the days come, saith the LORD" underscores **Prophetic Certainty**, affirming the absolute reliability of God's word and the inevitable fulfillment of His warnings. Finally, this judgment reveals God's intrinsic **Holiness and Justice**, demonstrating that His nature demands that He cannot overlook or tolerate such grievous sins as child sacrifice and widespread idolatry, ensuring that His justice will ultimately prevail over human wickedness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **days (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** From an unused root meaning "to be hot," this term refers to a specific, appointed period of time, whether literal (from sunrise to sunset) or figurative (a defined space of time). In this context, "the days come" emphasizes the certainty and imminence of God's prophetic declaration; it is not a vague or distant future but a definite, impending reality that will unfold within a particular timeframe.
* **valley (Hebrew, _gayʼ'_):** This word denotes a gorge or narrow depression, distinct from a broader plain. It specifically refers to the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, a notorious geographical feature just outside Jerusalem. Its physical characteristics—a deep, confined space—make it a fitting and grim location for the accumulation of bodies, as prophesied, underscoring the horrific scale of the impending divine judgment.
* **slaughter (Hebrew, _hărêgâh'_):** This feminine noun, derived from a root meaning "to kill," directly signifies widespread killing, mass execution, or carnage. The new designation for the valley, "The valley of slaughter," is a stark, literal description of its future purpose, highlighting the horrific scale of the impending divine judgment and the complete reversal of its prior (though evil) function.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine authority and certainty of the prophecy. "Therefore" links the judgment to the preceding acts of idolatry and child sacrifice. "Behold, the days come" emphasizes the imminence and inevitability of the fulfillment, while "saith the LORD" (Yᵉhôvâh) unequivocally declares that this is a direct word from the sovereign God of Israel, whose word cannot fail.
* **"that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom,"**: This declares a definitive change in the name and identity of the notorious location. Tophet and the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, names associated with abominable pagan rituals and child sacrifice, will lose their former identity. This renaming signifies a complete and irreversible transformation, stripping away any lingering association with false worship.
* **"but The valley of slaughter."**: This is the grim new designation, revealing the horrifying purpose to which the valley will be put. It will become a place of immense death and carnage, a literal dumping ground for the bodies of those slain during God's judgment upon Judah. This new name is a direct, descriptive prophecy of the devastating consequences of their unrepentant sin.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 19:6 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment. **Prophetic Naming** is central, as the renaming of the valley from Tophet/Valley of Hinnom to "The valley of slaughter" is not merely a descriptive change but a performative act of prophecy, declaring its future reality. This new name functions as a grim **Symbolism**, where the physical space itself becomes a stark representation of God's wrath and the consequences of sin. The shift from a place of ritualistic (though evil) sacrifice to a place of indiscriminate slaughter highlights a profound **Irony**; the very location where Judah offered their children to false gods would become the site where God would exact judgment, transforming their "sacred" ground into a charnel house. The starkness of the new name also creates a powerful sense of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the widespread death and destruction that would befall Jerusalem and Judah, a theme elaborated upon in subsequent verses of Jeremiah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 19:6 powerfully underscores the theological principle that God's patience has limits, and unrepentant sin, particularly that which involves the shedding of innocent blood and the desecration of His covenant, will inevitably incur His righteous judgment. The renaming of the valley from a place of human abomination to a "valley of slaughter" signifies God's direct intervention to reclaim justice and demonstrate His absolute sovereignty over history and human actions. It reveals that God's character encompasses not only mercy and love but also unyielding holiness and justice, which demand accountability for sin. This prophecy serves as a stark reminder that while God desires repentance and restoration, He will not indefinitely tolerate rebellion and idolatry, and His warnings are always meant to be heeded.

* [Jeremiah 7:32-33](/jeremiah/7-32 "Jeremiah 7:32-33 - The Valley of Slaughter Prophecy Repeated"): This passage reiterates the prophecy of the Valley of Hinnom becoming the "Valley of Slaughter," emphasizing that the bodies of the dead will be food for birds and beasts, signifying utter disgrace and lack of burial.
* [Isaiah 30:33](/isaiah/30-33 "Isaiah 30:33 - Tophet Prepared for Judgment"): Isaiah also speaks of Tophet as a place prepared for judgment, specifically for the king of Assyria, but broadly symbolizing divine fiery wrath against the wicked.
* [Matthew 10:28](/matthew/10-28 "Matthew 10:28 - Fear God, Who Can Destroy Both Soul and Body in Gehenna"): Jesus uses "Gehenna" (derived from *Gehinnom*) to refer to a place of ultimate judgment, emphasizing the spiritual and eternal consequences of sin, connecting the historical valley of slaughter to eschatological judgment.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 19:6 serves as a profound and sobering 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 wickedness, particularly when it involves the systematic rejection of His commands and the perpetration of atrocities. For us today, while we may not engage in literal child sacrifice, this passage challenges us to examine the "valleys" in our own lives and societies where we might be sacrificing truth, justice, or the well-being of others to our own idols—whether they be comfort, wealth, power, or self-gratification. The Lord's renaming of the valley signals a divine reclamation of space and purpose, transforming a site of human rebellion into a monument to His justice. This calls us to a deep and urgent repentance, recognizing that our actions have consequences, and that God's warnings are not idle threats but invitations to turn from destruction and embrace His life-giving ways. It reminds us that true peace and security are found only in aligning our lives with His holy will, lest our own "valleys" become places of spiritual desolation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" or priorities in my life might be leading me to "sacrifice" what is truly precious or God-honoring?**
* **How seriously do I take God's warnings and calls to repentance in my own life and in the broader culture?**
* **In what ways can I actively participate in bringing God's justice and righteousness into the "valleys" of suffering and sin in my community or the world?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of "Tophet" and "The Valley of the Son of Hinnom" before Jeremiah's prophecy?**

Answer: Before Jeremiah's prophecy, "Tophet" and "The Valley of the Son of Hinnom" were notorious locations just outside Jerusalem, particularly associated with the horrific practice of child sacrifice. This was a pagan ritual where children were offered to false gods like Molech and Baal, often by being burned alive. This abominable practice was strictly forbidden by God's Law ([Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice")) but was adopted by the people of Judah during periods of apostasy. The name "Tophet" itself may have been related to drums used to drown out the cries of the children. The valley became a symbol of extreme wickedness and spiritual rebellion against the Lord.

**How did the "Valley of the Son of Hinnom" (Gehinnom) become associated with hell in later Jewish and Christian thought?**

Answer: The "Valley of the Son of Hinnom" (Hebrew: *Gehinnom*) became so deeply associated with the abominable practice of child sacrifice and the subsequent divine judgment and slaughter prophesied by Jeremiah that its name evolved into a powerful metaphor for ultimate destruction and punishment. In later Jewish tradition, particularly during the Second Temple period, and subsequently in the New Testament, *Gehinnom* (rendered as "Gehenna" in Greek) came to symbolize hell or the place of eternal punishment for the wicked. Jesus himself frequently used the term Gehenna to describe the terrifying consequences of unrepentant sin, emphasizing its spiritual dimension ([Matthew 10:28](/matthew/10-28 "Matthew 10:28 - Fear God, Who Can Destroy Both Soul and Body in Gehenna")). The historical valley, once a literal place of fiery sacrifice and later slaughter, thus became a potent symbol of divine judgment and eternal separation from God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 19:6, with its grim prophecy of the "valley of slaughter," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a literal valley of physical death for believers, but in the profound spiritual reality of Christ's work on the cross. The judgment pronounced upon Judah for their sin, particularly the abomination of child sacrifice, points to the absolute holiness of God and the inescapable consequences of sin. In Christ, God's justice is fully satisfied, not by the slaughter of the guilty, but by the voluntary sacrifice of the innocent Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Jesus Christ, through His atoning death, bore the full weight of God's wrath against sin, becoming the ultimate "slaughter" for humanity, so that those who believe might be spared the judgment symbolized by the Valley of Slaughter. His sacrifice cleanses us from our "idolatry" and rebellion, offering a path to reconciliation and life where there was only death. Furthermore, while the historical Gehenna symbolized a place of earthly judgment, Christ's teachings on Gehenna ([Matthew 5:22](/matthew/5-22 "Matthew 5:22 - Gehenna of Fire")) elevate it to an eternal reality, a place of ultimate judgment for those who reject God's gracious offer of salvation. Thus, the prophecy in Jeremiah foreshadows the severity of God's justice, which is perfectly met in the cross of Christ, offering deliverance from the spiritual "valley of slaughter" for all who trust in Him ([Romans 5:8-9](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8-9 - 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

Joshua 15:8

And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same [is] Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that [lieth] before the valley of Hinnom westward, which [is] at the end of the valley of the giants northward:

Isaiah 30:33

For Tophet [is] ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made [it] deep [and] large: the pile thereof [is] fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.

Jeremiah 19:2

And go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, which [is] by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee,

Jeremiah 7:32

Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place.

Jeremiah 7:33

And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray [them] away.

Jeremiah 19:11

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.