Jeremiah 32:35

35 "The people built high places for Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom. That is where they sacrifice their children to Molech in the fire. That is something I did not command. It did not even enter my mind. They did something I hate. They made Judah 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 turned their backs to me. They would not face me. I taught them again and again. But they would not listen or pay attention when they were corrected.

34 "They set up statues of their gods. They did it in the house where I have put my Name. They made my house 'unclean.' I hate those statues.

35 "The people built high places for Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom. That is where they sacrifice their children to Molech in the fire. That is something I did not command. It did not even enter my mind. They did something I hate. They made Judah sin."

36 You people of Judah are saying about this city, "By war, hunger and plague it will be handed over to the king of Babylonia." But the Lord, the God of Israel, says,

37 "You can be sure that I will gather my people again. I will bring them from all of the lands where I send them when my burning anger blazes out against them. I will bring them back to this place. And I will let them live in safety.