1 Thus saith the LORD, Go and get a potter’s earthen bottle, and [take] of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests;
2 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,
3 And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle.
4 Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents;
5 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:
6 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of slaughter.
7 And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hands of them that seek their lives: and their carcases will I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.
8 And I will make this city desolate, and an hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof.
9 And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them.
10 Then shalt thou break the bottle in the sight of the men that go with thee,
11 And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as [one] breaketh a potter’s vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury [them] in Tophet, till [there be] no place to bury.
12 Thus will I do unto this place, saith the LORD, and to the inhabitants thereof, and [even] make this city as Tophet:
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.
14 Then came Jeremiah from Tophet, whither the LORD had sent him to prophesy; and he stood in the court of the LORD’S house; and said to all the people,
15 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.
Context and Background
Jeremiah 19 is a pivotal chapter in the Book of Jeremiah, which is part of the Old Testament. This chapter reflects the prophetic ministry of Jeremiah during a critical time in Judah’s history, specifically leading up to the Babylonian exile. The chapter focuses on God’s judgment against Judah for their idolatry and unfaithfulness.
Summary of Jeremiah 19
The chapter can be divided into several key sections:
- The Command to Purchase a Clay Jar (Verses 1-2)
God instructs Jeremiah to buy a clay jar and take some of the elders and priests to the Valley of Ben Hinnom.
- The Prophetic Message (Verses 3-9)
In the Valley of Ben Hinnom, Jeremiah delivers a message of doom, warning that the people of Judah will face destruction due to their idolatry and the sacrifices made to foreign gods.
- The Symbolic Act (Verses 10-13)
Jeremiah is commanded to break the jar in front of the elders and priests, symbolizing the complete destruction of Judah and Jerusalem.
- Confrontation with the People (Verses 14-15)
Jeremiah returns to the city and confronts the people with God’s message, emphasizing the consequences of their actions.
Theological Themes
- Judgment and Destruction
The chapter emphasizes God’s impending judgment on Judah due to their persistent sin and idolatry.
- Symbolism of the Clay Jar
The breaking of the jar serves as a powerful metaphor for the fragility of Judah’s situation and the irreversible nature of God’s judgment.
- Call to Repentance
Jeremiah’s message serves as a call for the people to turn back to God, highlighting the consequences of their unfaithfulness.
Literary Analysis
Jeremiah 19 utilizes vivid imagery and symbolism to convey its message. The act of breaking the jar is a striking visual that reinforces the seriousness of God’s warning. The use of the Valley of Ben Hinnom, a site associated with idolatrous practices, further emphasizes the gravity of the people’s sins.
Historical Significance
This chapter is significant as it reflects the historical context of Judah during the late 7th century BCE, a time of moral decay and impending doom. The warnings given by Jeremiah were not only relevant to his contemporaries but also serve as a timeless reminder of the consequences of turning away from God.
Conclusion
Jeremiah 19 serves as a powerful testament to the themes of judgment, repentance, and the seriousness of sin. The chapter encapsulates the urgency of Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry and the dire consequences awaiting those who refuse to heed God’s warnings. It stands as a sobering reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God and the dangers of idolatry.
