Jeremiah 32:35 They have built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Hinnom to make their sons and daughters pass through the fire to Molech--something I never commanded them, nor had it ever entered My mind, that they should commit such an abomination and cause Judah to sin.

Bible > Jeremiah > Chapter 32 > Verse 35

◄ Jeremiah 32:35 ►

New International Version
They built high places for Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molek, though I never commanded—nor did it enter my mind—that they should do such a detestable thing and so make Judah sin.

New Living Translation
They have built pagan shrines to Baal in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, and there they sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech. I have never commanded such a horrible deed; it never even crossed my mind to command such a thing. What an incredible evil, causing Judah to sin so greatly!

English Standard Version
They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

Berean Standard Bible
They have built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Ben-hinnom to make their sons and daughters pass through the fire to Molech—something I never commanded them, nor had it ever entered My mind, that they should commit such an abomination and cause Judah to sin.

King James Bible
And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

New King James Version
And they built the high places of Baal which are in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Molech, which I did not command them, nor did it come into My mind that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.’

New American Standard Bible
They built the high places of Baal that are in the Valley of Ben-hinnom to make their sons and their daughters 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 mislead Judah to sin.

NASB 1995
“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.

NASB 1977
“And 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.

Legacy Standard Bible
And 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 come upon My heart that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

Amplified Bible
They built the high places [for worship] of Baal in the Valley of Ben-hinnom (son of Hinnom) to make their sons and their daughters pass through the fire to [worship and honor] Molech—which I had not commanded them nor had it entered My mind that they should do this repulsive thing, to cause Judah to sin.

Christian Standard Bible
They have built the high places of Baal in Ben Hinnom Valley to sacrifice their sons and daughters in the fire to Molech —something I had not commanded them. I had never entertained the thought that they do this detestable act causing Judah to sin!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They have built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Hinnom to make their sons and daughters pass through the fire to Molech—something I had not commanded them. I had never entertained the thought that they do this detestable act causing Judah to sin!

American Standard Version
And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

Contemporary English Version
And they led Judah into sin by building places to worship Baal in Hinnom Valley, where they also sacrificed their sons and daughters to the god Molech. I have never even imagined they would commit such disgusting sins.

English Revised Version
And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination; to cause Judah to sin.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In the valley of Ben Hinnom they built worship sites for Baal to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech. I didn't ask them to do this. It never entered my mind. I didn't make Judah sin.

Good News Translation
They have built altars to Baal in Hinnom Valley, to sacrifice their sons and daughters to the god Molech. I did not command them to do this, and it did not even enter my mind that they would do such a thing and make the people of Judah sin."

International Standard Version
They built the high places of Baal that are in the Hinnom Valley in order to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech—something that I didn't command, nor did it ever enter my mind for them to require this utterly repugnant thing—and lead Judah into sin."

Majority Standard Bible
They have built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Ben-hinnom to make their sons and daughters pass through the fire to Molech?something I never commanded them, nor had it ever entered My mind, that they should commit such an abomination and cause Judah to sin.

NET Bible
They built places of worship for the god Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom so that they could sacrifice their sons and daughters to the god Molech. Such a disgusting practice was not something I commanded them to do! It never even entered my mind to command them to do such a thing! So Judah is certainly liable for punishment.'

New Heart English Bible
They built the high places of Baal, which are in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through fire to Moloch; which I did not command them, neither did it come into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.'

Webster's Bible Translation
And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

World English Bible
They built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through fire to Molech, which I didn’t command them. It didn’t even come into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And they build the high places of Ba‘al that [are] in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through to Molech, which I did not command them, nor did it come up on My heart to do this abomination, so as to cause Judah to sin.

Young's Literal Translation
And they build the high places of Baal, that are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through to Molech, which I did not command them, nor did it come up on my heart to do this abomination, so as to cause Judah to sin.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will build the heights of Baal which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through to Molech, which I commanded them not; and it came not up upon my heart to do this abomination to cause Judah to sin.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And they have built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Ennom, to consecrate their sons and their daughters to Moloch: which I commanded them not, neither entered it into my heart, that they should do this abomination, and cause Juda to sin.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they have built the exalted places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, so that they may initiate their sons and their daughters into Molech, though I did not command, nor did it enter into my heart, that they should do this abomination, and so lead Judah into sin.

New American Bible
They built high places to Baal in the Valley of Ben-hinnom to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech; I never commanded them to do this, nor did it even enter my mind that they would practice this abomination, so as to bring sin upon Judah.

New Revised Standard Version
They built the high places of Baal in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter my mind that they should do this abomination, causing Judah to sin.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And they built the high places of Baal in Taphat, which is in the valley of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters as offerings to Molech; which I did not command them, nor did it come into my mind that they should do this abomination to cause Judah to sin.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they built high places to Baal in Taphat, which is in the valley of BarHennom, to burn their sons and their daughters for Amlek that I have not commanded them and I did not set on my heart that they would do this abomination, and they would cause Yehuda to sin

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to set apart their sons and their daughters unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into My mind, that they should do this abomination; to cause Judah to sin.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they built to Baal the altars that are in the valley of the son of Ennom, to offer their sons and their daughters to king Moloch; which things I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind that they should do this abomination, to cause Juda to sin.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The LORD's Answer
…34They have placed their abominations in the house that bears My Name, and so have defiled it. 35They have built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Hinnom to make their sons and daughters pass through the fire to Molech— something I never commanded them, nor had it ever entered My mind, that they should commit such an abomination and cause Judah to sin.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Leviticus 18:21
You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

Deuteronomy 12:31
You must not worship the LORD your God in this way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.

2 Kings 23:10
He also desecrated Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so that no one could sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire to Molech.

2 Chronicles 28:3
Moreover, Ahaz burned incense in the Valley of Ben-hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.

2 Chronicles 33:6
He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

Psalm 106:37-38
They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. / They shed innocent blood—the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood.

Isaiah 57:5
who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?

Ezekiel 16:20-21
You even took the sons and daughters you bore to Me and sacrificed them as food to idols. Was your prostitution not enough? / You slaughtered My children and delivered them up through the fire to idols.

Ezekiel 20:31
When you offer your gifts, sacrificing your sons in the fire, you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. So should I be consulted by you, O house of Israel? As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not be consulted by you!

Ezekiel 23:37
For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols. They have even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to Me, in the fire as food for their idols.

Micah 6:7
Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

Matthew 18:6
But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Mark 9:42
But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea.

Luke 17:2
It would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.

Treasury of Scripture

And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

they built.

Jeremiah 7:31
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.

Jeremiah 19:5,6
They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind: …

2 Kings 23:10
And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.

which.

Leviticus 18:21
And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 20:2-5
Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones…

to cause.

Exodus 32:21
And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?

Deuteronomy 24:4
Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

1 Kings 14:16
And he shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin.

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Jeremiah 32

1. Jeremiah, being imprisoned by Zedekiah for his prophecy,
6. buys Hanameel's field.
13. Baruch must preserve the evidences, as tokens of the people's return.
16. Jeremiah in his prayer complains to God.
26. God confirms the captivity for their sins;
36. and promises a gracious return.

Berean Study Bible

They built the high places of Baal
The phrase "They built the high places of Baal" refers to the construction of altars or temples on elevated sites dedicated to Baal, a Canaanite deity often associated with fertility and weather. The Hebrew word for "high places" is "bāmôt," which were often used for idolatrous worship. Historically, these sites were significant in ancient Near Eastern religious practices, and their construction by the Israelites represented a direct violation of God's commandments against idolatry (Exodus 20:3-5). This act of building high places for Baal indicates a deep-seated rebellion against God, as the Israelites adopted pagan practices from surrounding nations, forsaking their covenant relationship with Yahweh.

in the Valley of Hinnom
The "Valley of Hinnom," known in Hebrew as "Gehinnom," was located south of Jerusalem. It became infamous as a site for child sacrifice, particularly to the god Molech. Archaeological evidence and historical records suggest that this valley was associated with gruesome rituals, which were strictly condemned in the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 18:21). The Valley of Hinnom later became a symbol of divine judgment and was used metaphorically by Jesus as a representation of hell (Gehenna) in the New Testament (Mark 9:43-48).

to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech
The act "to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech" is one of the most abhorrent practices mentioned in the Old Testament. Molech, a god worshiped by the Ammonites, demanded child sacrifice, a practice that was utterly detestable to God. The Hebrew term "Molech" is often associated with the idea of a king or ruler, and the worship of Molech involved rites that were in direct opposition to the sanctity of life upheld by the God of Israel. This practice was explicitly forbidden in the Law (Leviticus 20:2-5), and its occurrence among the Israelites highlights the extent of their apostasy and moral decline.

though I never commanded
The phrase "though I never commanded" underscores God's clear and unequivocal stance against such practices. The Hebrew word "tsavah" (commanded) indicates a direct order or decree. God emphasizes that He never instructed His people to engage in such heinous acts, reinforcing the idea that these practices were entirely outside His will and character. This statement serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the importance of adhering to His commands as revealed in Scripture.

nor did it even enter My mind
The expression "nor did it even enter My mind" is a powerful anthropomorphic way of conveying God's utter abhorrence and the inconceivability of such actions being associated with His divine nature. In Hebrew, the phrase suggests that such thoughts were completely foreign to God's character and intentions. This highlights the stark contrast between the holiness of God and the depravity of human sinfulness when people turn away from His guidance.

that they should do such a detestable thing
The term "detestable thing" translates the Hebrew word "toebah," which is often used in the Old Testament to describe actions that are abominable or repugnant to God. This word is frequently associated with idolatry and immoral practices that violate the covenant relationship between God and His people. The use of this term underscores the severity of the sin and the deep offense it causes to a holy and righteous God.

and so cause Judah to sin
The phrase "and so cause Judah to sin" indicates the broader impact of these idolatrous practices on the nation of Judah. The Hebrew word for "sin" is "chata," which means to miss the mark or to fall short of God's standards. The leaders and people of Judah, by engaging in these practices, led the entire nation into sin, resulting in spiritual and moral decay. This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments and the responsibility of leaders to guide their people in righteousness.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

They have built
וַיִּבְנוּ֩ (way·yiḇ·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1129: To build

the high places
בָּמ֨וֹת (bā·mō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 1116: An elevation

of Baal
הַבַּ֜עַל (hab·ba·‘al)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1168: Baal -- a heathen god

in the Valley of Hinnom
בְּגֵ֣יא (bə·ḡê)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1516: A valley

to make their sons
בֶן־ (ḇen-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

and daughters
בְּנוֹתֵיהֶם֮ (bə·nō·w·ṯê·hem)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1323: A daughter

pass through
לְ֠הַעֲבִיר (lə·ha·‘ă·ḇîr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

the fire to Molech—
לַמֹּלֶךְ֒ (lam·mō·leḵ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4432: Molech -- a heathen god to whom Israelites sacrificed children

something
אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I never
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

commanded them,
צִוִּיתִ֗ים (ṣiw·wî·ṯîm)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

nor had it ever
וְלֹ֤א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

entered
עָֽלְתָה֙ (‘ā·lə·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

My mind,
לִבִּ֔י (lib·bî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

that they should commit
לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

such
הַזֹּ֑את (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

an abomination
הַתּוֹעֵבָ֣ה (hat·tō·w·‘ê·ḇāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8441: Something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol

and cause Judah
יְהוּדָֽה׃ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

to sin.
הַחֲטִ֥יא (ha·ḥă·ṭî)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 32:35 They built the high places of Baal (Jer.)