30 “For the Judeans have done what is evil in my sight.” This is the Lord’s declaration. “They have set up their abhorrent things(A) in the house that bears my name in order to defile it.(B) 31 They have built the high places of Topheth[a](C) in Ben Hinnom Valley[b](D) in order to burn their sons and daughters in the fire,(E) a thing I did not command; I never entertained the thought.

32 “Therefore, look, the days are coming”(F)—the Lord’s declaration—“when this place will no longer be called Topheth and Ben Hinnom Valley, but Slaughter Valley.(G) Topheth will become a cemetery,[c] because there will be no other burial place.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 7:31 Lit of the fireplace
  2. 7:31 A valley south of Jerusalem
  3. 7:32 Lit They will bury in Topheth

The Valley of Slaughter

30 “‘The people of Judah have done evil(A) in my eyes, declares the Lord. They have set up their detestable idols(B) in the house that bears my Name and have defiled(C) it. 31 They have built the high places of Topheth(D) in the Valley of Ben Hinnom(E) to burn their sons and daughters(F) in the fire—something I did not command, nor did it enter my mind.(G) 32 So beware, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when people will no longer call it Topheth or the Valley of Ben Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter,(H) for they will bury(I) the dead in Topheth until there is no more room.

Read full chapter