Jeremiah 32:35

35 "They built the ¹high places of Baal that are in the valley of Ben-hinnom * to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to ²Molech, which I had not commanded them nor had it entered My mind that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah 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.

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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 back to Me and not their face; though I taught them, teaching again and again, they would not listen and receive instruction.

34 "But they put their detestable things in the house which is called by My name, to defile it.

35 "They built the high places of Baal that are in the valley of Ben-hinnom to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Molech, which I had not commanded them nor had it entered My mind that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

36 "Now therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel concerning this city of which you say, 'It is given into the hand of the king of Babylon by sword, by famine and by pestilence.'

37 "Behold, I will gather them out of all the lands to which I have driven them in My anger, in My wrath and in great indignation; and I will bring them back to this place and make them dwell in safety.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Chronicles 28:2, 3; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Jeremiah 7:31; Jeremiah 19:5
• 2. Leviticus 18:21; Leviticus 20:2-5; 1 Kings 11:7; 2 Kings 23:10; Acts 7:43

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "come up into My heart"