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Book of Jeremiah - Chapter 19 - Verse 13

19:13
And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.

Meaning

The verse from Jeremiah 19:13 speaks of the defilement of the houses in Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah due to their practices of idol worship. The reference to Tophet, a place where pagan rituals and sacrifices were conducted, symbolizes the extent of their spiritual corruption. By burning incense to various deities and offering drink offerings to other gods on their rooftops, the people of Jerusalem and Judah were actively engaging in idolatry and turning away from the one true God. This behavior was not only a violation of the first commandment but also a betrayal of their covenant with God. The verse serves as a warning against the dangers of worshipping false gods and the consequences of straying from the path of righteousness. It illustrates the severity of God's judgement upon those who forsake Him and follow after idols.Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining faithful to God and rejecting all forms of idolatry.

Theological Overview

The passage from Jeremiah 19:13 highlights the idolatry and spiritual corruption that plagued the city of Jerusalem and the kings of Judah. The mention of Tophet, a place associated with child sacrifice and pagan rituals, serves as a powerful symbol of the defilement that had taken root in the hearts of the people. Through the act of burning incense on their rooftops to the host of heaven and offering drink to other gods, the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the kings of Judah had turned away from the true God, Yahweh. The theological interpretation of this verse underscores the consequences of abandoning the worship of the one true God and engaging in idolatry. It serves as a warning against allowing the pursuit of worldly desires and false gods to corrupt one's heart and lead them away from the path of righteousness. This passage reminds us of the importance of staying faithful to God and resisting the temptation to worship anything or anyone other than Him.

American Standard Version

and the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, which are defiled, shall be as the place of Topheth, even all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink-offerings unto other gods.
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