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Jeremiah 32:34

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But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.

But they set {H7760} their abominations {H8251} in the house {H1004}, which is called {H7121} by my name {H8034}, to defile {H2930} it.

Instead they put their detestable idols in the house that bears my name, to defile it;

They have placed their abominations in the house that bears My Name, and so have defiled it.

But they set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to defile it.

Commentary

Jeremiah 32:34 describes a profound spiritual betrayal by the people of Judah. The verse highlights their audacity in placing "abominations" – detestable idolatrous objects and practices – directly within the sacred Temple in Jerusalem, the very "house, which is called by my name," thereby defiling it in God's sight. This act represents the pinnacle of their rebellion and disrespect for the Lord and His holiness.

Context

This verse is spoken during a critical period in Judah's history, specifically during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 32:1-2). Jeremiah, imprisoned for his prophecies of doom, is simultaneously commanded by God to buy a field, symbolizing a future restoration despite the impending judgment. The immediate context of verse 34 is God's lament over the persistent sin of Israel and Judah, detailing the reasons for the coming destruction and exile. For centuries, the people had engaged in idolatry, sacrificing their children to pagan gods and worshipping foreign deities, despite God's repeated warnings. Their actions were not just external rebellion but a direct affront to God's presence in His own sanctuary, as seen in Jeremiah 7:30 and 2 Kings 21:4-7, which recounts King Manasseh's egregious defilement of the Temple.

Key Themes

  • Flagrant Idolatry and Defilement: The "abominations" (Hebrew: to'evah) encompass a range of practices detestable to God, including the worship of Baal and Molech, and child sacrifice. Placing these within the Temple was the ultimate act of desecration, turning a holy place into a den of paganism.
  • God's Holiness and Exclusive Claim: The Temple was the symbolic dwelling place where God's "name" resided, signifying His unique presence and ownership. To defile it was to directly attack God's honor and challenge His exclusive right to worship. This underscores the principle that God demands purity and undivided devotion in His sanctuary, whether physical or spiritual.
  • Spiritual Rebellion and Consequences: This verse highlights the deep-seated spiritual rebellion that characterized Judah's apostasy. Their actions were not merely mistakes but a deliberate rejection of God's covenant and His commands. This persistent disobedience ultimately led to the Babylonian captivity and the destruction of the Temple itself, demonstrating the severe consequences of profaning what is sacred to God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "abominations" is to'evah (תּוֹעֵבָה), a strong term used throughout the Old Testament to denote practices or things that are utterly detestable to God, often specifically referring to idolatry, immoral sexual acts, or unjust dealings. Its placement in the Temple signified a profound spiritual corruption. The word "defile" (Hebrew: tameh - טָמֵא) means to make unclean, impure, or polluted, especially in a ritual or moral sense. It speaks to the desecration of something holy, rendering it unfit for God's presence or service.

Practical Application

While we no longer have a physical Temple in Jerusalem where God's name dwells in the same way, this verse carries profound spiritual lessons for believers today. The New Testament teaches that the bodies of believers are temples of the Holy Spirit, and the church collectively is God's dwelling place (Ephesians 2:21-22). This challenges us to consider:

  • What "abominations" might we allow into the "house" of our lives or our churches? This could be anything that dishonors God, such as idolatry of possessions, power, comfort, or self; or engaging in sinful practices that contradict His holiness.
  • Are we maintaining the purity and sanctity of our spiritual "temple" and the corporate body of Christ?
  • The verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's jealousy for His holiness and His demand for genuine, undivided worship. It calls us to continually examine our hearts and lives, ensuring that our worship and conduct truly honor the Lord who calls us by His name.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 7:30 (5 votes)

    For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.

  • Ezekiel 8:5 (4 votes)

    Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry.

  • Ezekiel 8:16 (4 votes)

    And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, [were] about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.

  • 2 Kings 21:4 (3 votes)

    And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.

  • 2 Kings 21:7 (3 votes)

    And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:

  • Jeremiah 23:11 (3 votes)

    For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD.

  • 2 Kings 23:6 (2 votes)

    And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped [it] small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people.