Jeremiah 32:35 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The people built altars to Baal and sacrificed their children to Molech, practices God never commanded.
The Context of Jeremiah 32:35
Child sacrifice to false gods reveals the depth of rebellion.
What Does Jeremiah 32:35 Mean?
The indictment escalates to child sacrifice, the ultimate expression of moral degradation. The valley of Hinnom (later associated with hell in Jewish thought) became the site of burning children alive as offerings to Molech. These were not practices hidden or rationalized as traditional; they were explicitly forbidden by God.
The statement 'neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination' conveys God's revulsion. Human depravity had surpassed what God could imagine people would willingly do. The phrase 'to cause Judah to sin' shows that these practices were not isolated but systematically taught to the nation as acceptable worship.
Jeremiah 32:35 in the Original Language
מוֹלֶךְ (molech)—a foreign deity to whom ancient peoples offered first-born children, an abomination explicitly condemned in Levitical law.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 32:35
What does Jeremiah 32:35 mean?
The people built altars to Baal and sacrificed their children to Molech, practices God never commanded.
What is the context of Jeremiah 32:35?
Child sacrifice to false gods reveals the depth of rebellion.