Jeremiah 19:6
therefore, behold, days are coming, declares the LORD, when this place shall no more be called Topheth, or the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse marks a chilling shift, renaming the valley from its history of horrific child sacrifice ("Tophet," associated with drums drowning out cries) and its older geographical name to a stark new identity: "the Valley of Slaughter." This change signifies not just a future massacre, but a divine judgment that will utterly eclipse its past atrocities with a far greater horror.
God, through Jeremiah, has just commanded a dramatic symbolic act: breaking a potter's flask in the Valley of Hinnom, a place notorious for child sacrifice. This action signifies the utter destruction and unmaking of Jerusalem and its people because of their deep-seated idolatry and shedding of innocent blood. The verse foreshadows a future where this valley, historically associated with horror and now used for the prophecy's symbolic act, will earn a new, grim name reflecting the immense bloodshed that will soon overwhelm the city.
Imagine a place so drenched in evil that its very name must be erased and replaced. Jeremiah announces a drastic renaming of a notorious valley.
Jeremiah is told that this place, known by two grim names – Topheth and the Valley of the Son of Hinnom – will soon be called something even more terrifying: the Valley of Slaughter.
The Layers of Meaning:
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Jeremiah 19:6 is available in the Sola app.
The renaming of the valley is more than symbolic; it's a direct announcement of divine judgment for the people's deep-seated sin.
This renaming isn't a random event. It's God's clear declaration that the sin deeply embedded in this place will be met with a corresponding, devastating judgment.
The Cycle of Sin and Judgment:
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of the one true God of Israel, revealed to Moses, emphasizing His self-existence, eternity, and faithfulness to His covenant promises.
Tōp̱eṯ · Hebrew Proper Noun
A place in the Valley of Hinnom south of Jerusalem, notorious as a site where children were sacrificed to the god Molech by fire, symbolizing apostasy and divine judgment.
Gē' Ben-Hinnōm · Hebrew Proper Noun
A site south of Jerusalem, frequently associated with idolatry and child sacrifice, which became a place-name synonymous with the judgment of God and later served as a metaphor for Hell (Gehenna).
The name 'Valley of Slaughter' isn't just a poetic metaphor; it directly predicts the gruesome fate of Jerusalem's inhabitants, killed and left unburied in the very valley once defiled by child sacrifice.
c. 10th century BC
Child Sacrifice at Topheth
The valley of Hinnom becomes known as Topheth, a place associated with the horrific pagan practice of child sacrifice, likely to the god Molech. Drums were reportedly beaten to drown out the cries of the children.
c. 7th Century BC
Josiah's Reforms
King Josiah purifies the land, including Topheth, desecrating it to end its idolatrous practices. This marks a significant attempt to halt the pagan rituals that had become widespread.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon begins deporting Judean elites and treasures to Babylon, including Daniel. This marks the start of the Babylonian exile period and a weakening of Jerusalem's power.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin and thousands more Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel. This further depletes Jerusalem's strength and signifies escalating judgment.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar’s armies conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and deport the majority of the remaining population. This is the catastrophic fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecies.
This passage directly parallels Jeremiah 19:6, also referencing Topheth and the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, predicting they will be called the 'Valley of Slaughter' due to the people's wicked practices.
Deuteronomy 28:53This verse describes a future consequence of disobedience, where a people will be forced to eat their own children, a horrific outcome that directly relates to the 'slaughter' prophesied for Topheth.
2 Kings 23:10This passage records Josiah's defilement of Topheth, specifically mentioning it as a place where children were sacrificed, highlighting the deep-seated evil that led to its future renaming as a place of slaughter.
Lamentations 4:10This poetic lament powerfully describes the horrific suffering during the siege of Jerusalem, including mothers being forced to eat their children, echoing the grim prophecy of slaughter and destruction associated with the valley.
ellicottJeremiah 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."
(6) Tophet. —See Notes on Jeremiah 7:31-32 .
pooleJeremiah 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."
For this God, by his prophet, threateneth that this place, anciently, in Joshua’s time, called The valley of the son of Hinnom, and more lately Tophet , from the noise of drums and tabrets there, whilst children were burning, should have a new name, and be called The valley of slaughter, from the multitude of dead bo…
This verse marks a chilling shift, renaming the valley from its history of horrific child sacrifice ("Tophet," associated with drums drowning out cries) and its older geographical name to a stark new identity: "the Valley of Slaughter." This change signifies not just a future massacre, but a divine judgment that will utterly eclipse its past atrocities with a far greater horror.
God, through Jeremiah, has just commanded a dramatic symbolic act: breaking a potter's flask in the Valley of Hinnom, a place notorious for child sacrifice. This action signifies the utter destruction and unmaking of Jerusalem and its people because of their deep-seated idolatry and shedding of innocent blood. The verse foreshadows a future where this valley, historically associated with horror and now used for the prophecy's symbolic act, will earn a new, grim name reflecting the immense bloodshed that will soon overwhelm the city.
God, through Jeremiah, has just commanded a dramatic symbolic act: breaking a potter's flask in the Valley of Hinnom, a place notorious for child sacrifice. This action signifies the utter destruction and unmaking of Jerusalem and its people because of their deep-seated idolatry and shedding of innocent blood. The verse foreshadows a future where this valley, historically associated with horror and now used for the prophecy's symbolic act, will earn a new, grim name reflecting the immense bloodshed that will soon overwhelm the city.
"therefore, behold, days are coming, declares the LORD, when this place shall no more be called Topheth, or the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter." — This verse marks a chilling shift, renaming the valley from its history of horrific child sacrifice ("Tophet," associated with drums drowning out cries) and its older geographical name to a stark new…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
