Jeremiah 7:32

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore, behold, the days {H3117} come {H935}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, that it shall no more be called {H559} Tophet {H8612}, nor the valley {H1516} of the son {H1121} of Hinnom {H2011}, but the valley {H1516} of slaughter {H2028}: for they shall bury {H6912} in Tophet {H8612}, till there be no {H369} place {H4725}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, the days are coming," says ADONAI, "when it will no longer be called either Tofet or the Ben-Hinnom Valley, but the Valley of Slaughter - they will put the dead in Tofet, because there will be no space left [anywhere else].

Berean Standard Bible

So behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when this place will no longer be called Topheth and the Valley of Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter. For they will bury the dead in Topheth until there is no more room.

American Standard Version

Therefore, behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that it shall no more be called Topheth, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of Slaughter: for they shall bury in Topheth, till there be no place to bury.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 7:32 presents a chilling divine decree from the LORD, prophesying a radical and devastating transformation for the infamous site of Tophet and the Valley of the son of Hinnom. Once a place of abhorrent child sacrifice and pagan worship, these locations are declared to be stripped of their former names and instead be known as "the valley of slaughter." This renaming signifies an impending, overwhelming judgment upon Judah, where the sheer volume of casualties will be so immense that the valley will become a vast, overflowing burial ground, a stark monument to their unrepentant idolatry and moral depravity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This potent prophecy is embedded within Jeremiah's renowned "Temple Sermon" (Jeremiah 7:1-15), a pivotal address where the prophet confronts the people of Judah for their superficial reliance on the Jerusalem Temple while simultaneously engaging in egregious sins. The sermon exposes their false security, as they believe the Temple's presence grants them immunity from divine judgment, despite their rampant idolatry, theft, murder, adultery, and false swearing. Specifically, the preceding verses, [Jeremiah 7:30-31](/jeremiah/7-30-31 "Jeremiah 7:30-31 - Abominable Practices in the Valley of Hinnom"), vividly detail the abominable practice of child sacrifice to pagan deities like Molech, an act explicitly condemned by God as something He "commanded them not" and which "never entered into my heart." Therefore, Jeremiah 7:32 serves as the direct, severe consequence and divine retribution for these abhorrent acts, declaring that the very ground defiled by their sin will become a testament to their catastrophic destruction.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "Valley of the son of Hinnom" (Hebrew: *Ge Ben-Hinnom*), a deep ravine bordering Jerusalem to the south and west, held a dark reputation. Within this valley lay Tophet, a specific cultic site notorious for the horrific ritual of child sacrifice, where infants and young children were burned alive as offerings to foreign gods, particularly Molech. This practice was a direct violation of God's covenant with Israel and His express commands, such as those found in [Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10 - Abominations Forbidden"). The people of Judah, influenced by surrounding Canaanite cultures, had adopted these detestable rites, demonstrating a profound spiritual apostasy that deeply grieved the LORD. The prophecy in Jeremiah 7:32 thus speaks into a historical reality of profound spiritual rebellion and moral decay within the nation, highlighting the severity of their departure from the covenant.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 7:32 powerfully underscores several major theological and narrative themes prevalent in the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment and Retribution**, demonstrating God's unwavering justice against severe sin, especially idolatry and the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice. The renaming of the valley from a place of pagan ritual to a "valley of slaughter" signifies the ultimate, devastating consequence of unrepentant rebellion against God's covenant. Secondly, it emphasizes **Desecration and Transformation**, as a place once used for horrific, pagan rituals will be utterly desecrated by overwhelming death. This transformation from a site of ritual burning to a mass grave underscores the complete reversal of fortune and the depth of God's wrath against a people who had repeatedly rejected His warnings and mercy, as seen throughout [Jeremiah's prophecies](/jeremiah/2 "Jeremiah 2 - Israel's Apostasy"). Lastly, the verse reinforces **God's Sovereignty**, asserting His ultimate control over history and His ability to execute His plans and judgments, even amidst human rebellion. The declaration that "the days come, saith the LORD," despite Judah's persistent sin, affirms God's absolute authority and His commitment to upholding His righteous standards.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tophet (Hebrew, _Tôpheth'_):** This term refers to a specific cultic site within the Valley of Hinnom, infamous for the practice of child sacrifice by fire to pagan deities. Its very name became synonymous with horror and abomination. The prophecy here declares that this place, once known for its detestable rituals, will be renamed and repurposed by divine judgment, highlighting the complete reversal of its identity and function.
* **valley (Hebrew, _gayʼ_):** This word denotes a gorge or ravine, often characterized by lofty sides. In this context, it refers specifically to the "Valley of the son of Hinnom." The transformation of this geographical feature's name from one associated with a particular family (Hinnom) and later with pagan worship, to a "valley of slaughter," underscores the profound and devastating nature of the impending judgment. It signifies a complete redefinition of the landscape based on the consequences of sin.
* **slaughter (Hebrew, _hărêgâh'_):** This feminine noun directly translates to "slaughter." Its application as the new name for the valley is not merely descriptive but profoundly prophetic. It signifies the immense scale of death and destruction that will occur, so great that the valley will be filled with corpses, emphasizing the severity of God's judgment and the catastrophic end result of Judah's idolatry.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD,"**: This opening clause serves as a solemn divine pronouncement, signaling an imminent and certain future event. The "Therefore" links this judgment directly to the preceding sins of child sacrifice and idolatry. "Behold" draws the listener's urgent attention, while "saith the LORD" emphasizes the divine authority and unwavering certainty of the prophecy.
* **"that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom,"**: This declares a definitive end to the former names of this infamous location. The cessation of these names signifies a complete repudiation of their former associations, particularly the horrific pagan rituals. God Himself is orchestrating a re-naming, erasing the memory of past abominations through a new, grim reality.
* **"but the valley of slaughter:"**: This is the new, divinely appointed name for the valley. It is a prophetic designation that vividly describes the future state of the location. "Slaughter" indicates mass killing, implying a devastating military defeat or widespread death, turning the valley into a testament to the consequences of Judah's sin and God's righteous judgment.
* **"for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place."**: This final clause explains *why* the valley will be called the "valley of slaughter." It foretells a burial crisis of unprecedented scale. The sheer number of dead bodies will be so overwhelming that the designated burial site, Tophet, and by extension the entire valley, will be completely filled, leaving no room for further interments. This hyperbole underscores the catastrophic extent of the impending judgment and the complete desolation that will befall Judah.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 7:32 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment. **Prophecy** is the overarching device, as the verse declares a future event with divine certainty, transforming a place of abomination into a site of overwhelming death. The renaming of the valley from "Tophet" and "Valley of the son of Hinnom" to "the valley of slaughter" is a striking example of **Symbolism** and **Irony**. The valley, once symbolic of Judah's spiritual depravity and rebellion, becomes a symbol of God's righteous judgment and the catastrophic consequences of their actions. The irony lies in the fact that the very place where they sacrificed their children to false gods will become a place where their own dead children (and adults) will be buried en masse. Furthermore, the phrase "till there be no place" utilizes **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration not meant to be taken literally as an absolute lack of space, but rather to emphasize the immense and unprecedented number of casualties, underscoring the severity and scale of the coming devastation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 7:32 serves as a stark theological declaration of God's unwavering justice and the severe consequences of unrepentant sin, particularly idolatry and the defilement of human life. It reveals that God does not passively observe the rebellion of His people, but actively intervenes to uphold His holiness and covenant. The transformation of Tophet into the "valley of slaughter" is a powerful testament to the principle that actions have consequences, and that persistent disobedience to divine commands ultimately leads to catastrophic judgment. This prophecy underscores the gravity of spiritual apostasy and the profound impact of turning away from the one true God to embrace detestable practices. It also highlights God's sovereign control over history, demonstrating His ability to execute His declared will, even when it involves severe retribution.

* [Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10 - Abominations Forbidden")
* [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Child Sacrifice to Molech Forbidden")
* [Jeremiah 19:6](/jeremiah/19-6 "Jeremiah 19:6 - Tophet Renamed Valley of Slaughter")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the immediate context of Jeremiah 7:32 is ancient Judah's specific sins, its message resonates powerfully today as a timeless reminder of the seriousness of sin and the immutable justice of God. We may not engage in literal child sacrifice, but modern idolatry manifests in myriad forms: placing wealth, career, pleasure, power, or self above God. This verse serves as a profound warning that any allegiance that displaces God from His rightful, supreme position in our lives carries severe spiritual consequences. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and priorities, ensuring that our trust is placed solely in the LORD and that our lives reflect His commandments, not the fleeting allure of worldly idols. The prophecy also calls us to acknowledge God's ultimate sovereignty and His commitment to justice, reminding us that while His mercy is vast, His holiness demands a response to sin. This should lead not to despair, but to a humble recognition of our need for repentance and a renewed commitment to walk in obedience and faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might "modern idolatry" manifest in my own life, subtly or overtly displacing God from His rightful place?**
* **How does the severity of God's judgment in this passage inform my understanding of His holiness and justice?**
* **What specific actions can I take to ensure my life reflects a genuine and undivided devotion to the LORD?**

### FAQ
**What was Tophet and why was it so significant in ancient Judah?**

Answer: Tophet was a specific cultic site located within the Valley of the son of Hinnom (Ge Ben-Hinnom), a deep ravine bordering Jerusalem. Its significance, tragically, stemmed from its notorious use as a place where the people of Judah engaged in the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice. They would burn their own children as offerings to pagan deities like Molech, a practice explicitly forbidden and condemned by God in the strongest terms (e.g., [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Child Sacrifice to Molech Forbidden")). Tophet thus became a symbol of Judah's profound spiritual apostasy, moral depravity, and their ultimate rejection of God's covenant, making its renaming by divine decree a powerful statement of judgment.

**How does this prophecy about the "valley of slaughter" relate to the concept of Gehenna in the New Testament?**

Answer: The "Valley of the son of Hinnom" (Ge Ben-Hinnom) is the Hebrew name that, when transliterated into Greek, became *Gehenna*. In the Old Testament, as seen in [Jeremiah 7:32](/jeremiah/7-32 "Jeremiah 7:32 - The Valley of Slaughter"), it was a literal place of horrific child sacrifice and later prophesied to become a site of mass burial and divine judgment. By the time of the New Testament, *Gehenna* had evolved in Jewish thought to become a metaphorical term for a place of eternal punishment, often associated with hellfire and ultimate destruction. Jesus Himself frequently used *Gehenna* to describe the eternal consequences of sin (e.g., [Matthew 5:22](/matthew/5-22 "Matthew 5:22 - Gehenna as a Place of Judgment"), [Mark 9:43](/mark/9-43 "Mark 9:43 - Gehenna and Eternal Fire")). Thus, the prophecy in Jeremiah 7:32, foretelling the valley's transformation into a "valley of slaughter" due to divine judgment, serves as a grim foreshadowing of the ultimate, eternal judgment symbolized by Gehenna in the New Testament.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 7:32, with its grim prophecy of a "valley of slaughter" as the consequence of Judah's sin, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The judgment foretold for Tophet, a place defiled by the shedding of innocent blood and the worship of false gods, points to the universal reality of sin and its catastrophic wages ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). Humanity's spiritual idolatry and rebellion against God, epitomized by the abominations in the Valley of Hinnom, necessitated a divine reckoning. Yet, God's ultimate response to sin was not merely judgment, but a salvific act of love. The "slaughter" that truly dealt with the depth of human sin occurred not in Tophet, but on Calvary, where the innocent [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus Christ, was sacrificed. He bore the full weight of God's righteous wrath against sin, becoming the ultimate atoning sacrifice ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ delivers us from the "valley of slaughter" that our sins deserve, offering forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe. He transforms the destiny of those who were once condemned by their idolatry, leading them from the path of destruction to the path of life, fulfilling the promise of a [new covenant](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31 - The New Covenant") where sins are remembered no more.

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 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.

Jeremiah 19:6

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.

2 Kings 23:10

And he defiled Topheth, which [is] in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.

Jeremiah 7:31

And they have built the high places of Tophet, which [is] in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded [them] not, neither came it into my heart.

Jeremiah 19:13

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.

Leviticus 26:30

And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.

Ezekiel 6:5

And I will lay the dead carcases of the children of Israel before their idols; and I will scatter your bones round about your altars.