Jeremiah 32:35

35 and they built the high places for Ba'al which are in the Ben-Hinnom Valley, to burn alive their sons and daughters to Molekh - something I did not order them to do, it never even entered my mind that they would do such an abominable thing - and thus they caused Y'hudah to sin.'

Jeremiah 32:35 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 32:35

And they built the high places of Baal, which [are] in the
valley of the son of Hinnom
Or "the high places of that Baal F11, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom"; to distinguish him from other Baalim; and who seems to be the same with Molech after mentioned; and the signification of their names agree; the one is lord or master; the other king: to cause their sons and their daughters to pass [through the fire]
unto Molech:
the phrase, "through the fire", is not in the text; but is well enough supplied from other places, where it is. Some think that their infants were not burnt to death with fire, but only were held over the flame by way of lustration; or were made to pass between two fires, and so were purified and dedicated to the idol: which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind that they
should do this abomination; (See Gill on Jeremiah 7:31); to cause Judah to sin;
which Abarbinel understands of the children of Israel, who first began this practice, and seduced and drew the children of Judah into it; but rather it seems to intend the kings, princes, priests, prophets, and inhabitants of Jerusalem, who, by their example, led the people of the Lord into the same practice.


FOOTNOTES:

F11 (aygb rva lebh twmb) "quae in valle", Montanus; "excelsa Baal qui erat in valle", Calvin.

Jeremiah 32:35 In-Context

33 They have turned their backs on me, not their faces; and although I taught them, taught them frequently, they have not listened so as to receive instruction.
34 Instead they put their detestable idols in the house that bears my name, to defile it;
35 and they built the high places for Ba'al which are in the Ben-Hinnom Valley, to burn alive their sons and daughters to Molekh - something I did not order them to do, it never even entered my mind that they would do such an abominable thing - and thus they caused Y'hudah to sin.'
36 "Therefore, thus says ADONAI the God of Isra'el concerning this city, of which you say that it is handed over to the king of Bavel by sword, famine and plague:
37 'I will gather them out of all the countries where I drove them in my anger, fury and great wrath; and I will bring them back to this place and have them live here in safety.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.