Book of Jeremiah - Chapter 7 - Verse 31

The verse 'And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.' highlights a disturbing practice among the people of Israel. The high places of Tophet were locations where the Israelites engaged in child sacrifice to false gods, particularly to the pagan deity Molech. This horrific act involved parents offering up their children as burnt sacrifices in exchange for favor or blessings from these false gods. The reference to the valley of the son of Hinnom, known as the Valley of Hinnom, is a place near Jerusalem where these sacrifices took place. The verse emphasizes how these actions were not only condemned by God, but were also never part of His plan or desire. It serves as a stern warning against idolatry and the extreme measures people may take in their pursuit of religious practices that are contrary to God's will.

The theological interpretation of this verse focuses on the condemnation of the practice of child sacrifice in the Old Testament. The mention of the high places of Tophet, located in the valley of the son of Hinnom, refers to a site where the ancient Canaanites and later Israelites engaged in the horrific act of burning their children as offerings to false gods. God explicitly states that this abhorrent practice was not something He commanded nor even considered. The use of Tophet, a sacrificial site associated with child sacrifice, serves as a powerful symbol of the extreme lengths to which people will go in their idolatry. This verse underscores the severity of the judgment that befell those who engaged in such detestable acts, showing God's absolute rejection of such practices. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commandments and the consequences of straying from His will.