Jeremiah 7:31 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 7:31 mean?

Jeremiah 7:31 describes how the people of Judah built special worship sites called “high places” at Tophet in the Valley of Hinnom, where they burned their own sons and daughters as offerings—something God never commanded or even imagined. The verse strongly condemns this practice as completely outside God’s will.

The prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s message to the people of Jerusalem, warning them about their idolatrous and horrific rituals. The “high places” were locations for pagan worship, and Tophet in the Valley of Hinnom became notorious for child sacrifice. God makes it clear that such acts were never part of His instructions, highlighting both the seriousness of the people’s disobedience and the depth of their corruption.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 7:31

• “Tophet” (תֹּפֶת, Tophet) refers to a specific site in the Valley of Hinnom associated with burning sacrifices, especially children. The name likely evokes the sound of drums or fire, underscoring the horror of what took place there.
• “Valley” (גַּיְא, gai) and “Hinnom” (הִנֹּם, Hinnom) together point to a real, physical location just outside Jerusalem. This valley later became a symbol of judgment and destruction.
• “Burn” (שָׂרַף, saraph) means to consume by fire, emphasizing the literal and brutal nature of the sacrifices.
• “Commanded” (צָוָה, tsavah) and “heart” (לֵב, lev) stress that God never ordered or even considered such a thing, making the people’s actions a shocking betrayal of His character and instructions.

Why Jeremiah 7:31 matters

• Jeremiah 7:31 clears up any idea that God ever wanted or accepted child sacrifice; the verse is explicit that this was never His command or desire.
• The verse highlights the depth of Judah’s departure from God’s ways, showing how far religious practices can drift from their intended purpose when people follow their own ideas or outside influences.
• This verse connects to the larger message of Jeremiah 7, where God rebukes empty ritual and calls for genuine obedience, not horrific acts done in His name.