Jeremiah 32:35

35 And they builded (the) high things to Baal, that be in the valley of the sons of Hinnom, that they should hallow their sons and their daughters to Molech (And they built the high places, or the hill shrines, to Baal, that be in the Valley of Ben-hinnom, where they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech), which thing I commanded not to them, neither it ascended into mine heart, that they should do this abomination, and (so) bring [down] Judah into 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 And they turned to me the backs, and not the faces, when I taught, and informed them early; and they would not hear, that they should take teaching. (And they turned their backs on me/And they turned their backs to me, and not their faces, when I rose up early to teach them, and to inform them; and they would not listen, so that they would take my teaching to heart.)
34 And they setted their idols in the house, in which my name is called to help, that they should defoul it. (And they put their idols in the House, where my name is called on for help/which is called by my name, and so they did defile it.)
35 And they builded (the) high things to Baal, that be in the valley of the sons of Hinnom, that they should hallow their sons and their daughters to Molech (And they built the high places, or the hill shrines, to Baal, that be in the Valley of Ben-hinnom, where they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech), which thing I commanded not to them, neither it ascended into mine heart, that they should do this abomination, and (so) bring [down] Judah into sin.
36 And now for these things, the Lord God of Israel saith these things to this city, of which ye say, that it shall be betaken into the hands of the king of Babylon, in sword, and in hunger, and in pestilence, (And now for these things, the Lord God of Israel saith these things to this city, of which ye say, that it shall be delivered into the hands of the king of Babylon, with the sword, and with hunger, and with pestilence,)
37 Lo! I shall gather them from all lands, to which I casted them out in my strong vengeance, and in my wrath, and in (my) great indignation; and I shall bring them again to this place, and I shall make them to dwell trustily.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.