Bible Strands
Jeremiah 19:2
and go out to the Valley of Ben-hinnom near the entrance of the Potsherd Gate. Proclaim there the words I speak to you,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God commands Jeremiah to go to the Valley of Ben-hinnom near the Potsherd Gate to deliver a message to the kings and residents of Judah and Jerusalem. This instruction follows the prophet's purchase of a clay jar and selection of priestly and civic leaders.
The words — The Hebrew verb יָצָ֙אתָ֙ (ya.Tza.ta) means "you will go out," and the phrase גֵּ֣יא בֶן־הִנֹּ֔ם (gei ven-hinnom) identifies the "Valley of Ben-hinnom." These terms anchor the command to a specific geographic location outside Jerusalem's walls.
The thread — This valley appears in Joshua 15:8 as a territorial border, 2 Kings 23:10 as the site of desecrated child sacrifice, and 2 Chronicles 28:3 where King Ahaz practiced it. Jeremiah’s choice of this location ties the coming judgment to Judah’s historical idolatry.
Why it lands — The text demands public proclamation in a place historically associated with covenant violation. Readers must confront the direct link between geographic location, historical sin, and the certainty of the announced disaster.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee,
Cross-references
- Joshua 15:8 From there the border went up the Valley of Ben-hinnom along the southern slope of the Jebusites (that is, Jerusalem) and ascended to the top of the hill that faces the Valley of Hinnom on the west, at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim.
- 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.
- Jeremiah 7:31 They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so they could burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I never commanded, nor did it even enter My mind.
- Jeremiah 32:35 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.
- Nehemiah 3:29 Next to them, Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house, and next to him, Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the guard of the East Gate, made repairs.
- Proverbs 1:20 Wisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice in the square;
- Jeremiah 1:7 But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak.
- Jeremiah 3:12 Go, proclaim this message toward the north: ‘Return, O faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will no longer look on you with anger, for I am merciful,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will not be angry forever.