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.

JEREMIAH 19:13KJV
Know the Bible

Jeremiah 19:13 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 19:13 mean?

Jeremiah 19:13 says that the houses in Jerusalem, including those of the kings of Judah, will become as defiled as Tophet because people have burned incense and poured out drink offerings to other gods on their rooftops. This verse warns that the whole city will share in the shame and ruin connected with idol worship, just like the notorious place called Tophet.

Jeremiah is speaking God’s message to the people of Jerusalem during a time when many had turned to worshiping other gods. Tophet was a place in the Valley of Hinnom associated with detestable practices, and to be “defiled as Tophet” meant to become utterly polluted and rejected. The verse highlights how widespread the idol worship was, even reaching the rooftops of homes, and shows the seriousness of turning away from God.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 19:13

  • טֹפֶת (Tophet, to-phet): Tophet was a location near Jerusalem linked with child sacrifice and pagan rituals. Calling the houses “defiled as Tophet” draws a strong comparison to a place known for extreme uncleanness and judgment.
  • קָטַר (qatar, incense): The word for “burned incense” refers to ritual acts of worship, often to foreign gods. Doing this “upon the roofs” (גַּג gag) shows how public and widespread the idolatry had become.
  • צָבָא (tsava, host): “Host of heaven” refers to the sun, moon, and stars, which some people worshiped as gods. The verse points out that the people were not just worshiping other gods, but specifically the heavenly bodies, which was forbidden in Israelite law.

Why Jeremiah 19:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the judgment coming on Jerusalem is not just for a few leaders but for the entire city, including ordinary houses and royal palaces, because idol worship had spread everywhere.
  • The mention of Tophet connects the coming punishment to a place already infamous for evil, making the warning more vivid and severe for Jeremiah’s listeners.
  • By describing the idol worship happening “on the roofs,” Jeremiah 19:13 shows how deeply and openly the people had embraced practices that went against their covenant with God, setting the stage for the seriousness of the consequences described in the chapter.

Where else these words appear

“Tophet” Hebrew H8612 · used in 8 verses

  • 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 7:32 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 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.

“out” Hebrew H5258 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,
  • 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.

“roofs” Hebrew H1406 · used in 27 verses

  • Exodus 30:3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.
  • 1 Samuel 9:26 And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.
  • Proverbs 21:9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

“offerings” Hebrew H5262 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
  • Numbers 28:24 After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven days, the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.
  • 2 Kings 16:13 And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar.