Lexical Summary Topheth: Topheth Original Word: תֹּפֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tophet, Topheth The same as topheth; Topheth, a place near Jerusalem -- Tophet, Topheth. see HEBREW topheth NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom taphas Definition a place S. of Jer. NASB Translation Topheth (9). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. תֹּ֫פֶת proper name, of a location in valley of בֶּןתִֿנֹּם, south of Jerusalem (etymology doubtful, see GFMEncy. Bib. MOLECH; RSSemitic i. 357, 2nd ed. 372, 377 and others think Aramaic, = fire-place, compare שׁפת); — with article ׳הַתּ 2 Kings 23:10 5t., article omitted Jeremiah 7:32; Jeremiah 19:11,12; — place of sacrificing children Jeremiah 7:31, compare Jeremiah 7:32a Jeremiah 19:6 (compare Jeremiah 19:5), 2 Kings 23:10; to become burial-place Jeremiah 7:32b Jeremiah 19:11; in simile of desecrated city Jeremiah 19:12; Jeremiah 19:13 (׳מְקוֺם הַתּ); scene of a prophecy of Jeremiah, Jeremiah 19:14; — Ταφες, Ταφεθ (compare LagBN 78), ᵐ5L2Kings 23:10 Θαφφεθ. — See GFMl.c. SalmondHast.DB TOPHET. Topical Lexicon Overview Topheth (Strong’s Hebrew 8612) designates a cultic site in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom, immediately south of ancient Jerusalem. Scripture presents it as the epicenter of an idolatrous ritual in which children were burned in fire, provoking some of the most searing prophetic denunciations in the Old Testament. Across its nine occurrences (2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31-32 [twice]; 19:6; 19:11-14), Topheth becomes a symbol of radical apostasy, national judgment, and the hope of thorough cleansing through covenant faithfulness. Geographical Setting The Valley of Ben-Hinnom skirts the western and southern flanks of Jerusalem before meeting the Kidron Valley. Topheth seems to have occupied its southeastern end, near the junction of the two valleys. The site’s proximity to the city underscores Judah’s shocking willingness to adopt foreign worship practices at her very gates. Pagan Cult and Child Sacrifice The rites at Topheth centered on passing sons and daughters “through the fire” to Molech (2 Kings 23:10). Whether the children were killed or “merely” scorched in dedication, the practice mocked the sacrificial system God Himself established and inverted His covenant promise to bless offspring (Genesis 17:7). Jeremiah records the LORD’s verdict: “They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom to burn their sons and daughters in the fire — something I did not command, nor did it ever enter My mind.” (Jeremiah 7:31) Josiah’s Reformation King Josiah’s sweeping reforms struck directly at Topheth: “He also defiled Topheth in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom, so that no one could sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire to Molech.” (2 Kings 23:10) By rendering the place ceremonially unclean, Josiah severed the ritual from its sacred pretensions and foreshadowed a deeper cleansing yet to come through the New Covenant. Jeremiah’s Oracles of Judgment Jeremiah, ministering a generation later, uses Topheth as a stage-prop for divine indictment. He smashes a clay jar in the valley to dramatize irrevocable ruin (Jeremiah 19:10-11). Three thematic threads dominate his sayings: 1. Renaming: “This place will no longer be called Topheth or the Valley of Ben-Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter” (Jeremiah 7:32; 19:6). Symbol of Ultimate Judgment Later Jewish tradition conflated the Valley of Hinnom with Gehenna, a metaphor for final judgment employed by Jesus (for example, Matthew 10:28). The Old Testament presentation of Topheth thus anticipates New Testament teaching: willful rejection of God’s lordship culminates in fiery destruction, while repentance opens the way to life. Theological Significance 1. Sanctity of life: Topheth testifies that God’s covenant people must never adopt cultural practices that devalue human life. Ministry Applications • Preaching: Topheth provides vivid historical context for warning against modern idols that demand the sacrifice of the vulnerable (abortion, exploitation, etc.). Summary Topheth stands as a grim but instructive monument in biblical history. Once a place where covenant children were offered to false gods, it became, under prophetic word and kingly reform, a reminder that the LORD alone is God, that life is His gift, and that judgment and mercy alike affirm His holiness. Forms and Transliterations בְתֹ֖פֶת בתפת הַתֹּ֔פֶת הַתֹּ֖פֶת הַתֹּ֗פֶת הַתֹּ֙פֶת֙ התפת וּבְתֹ֣פֶת ובתפת כְּתֹֽפֶת׃ כתפת׃ מֵֽהַתֹּ֔פֶת מהתפת ḇə·ṯō·p̄eṯ ḇəṯōp̄eṯ hat·tō·p̄eṯ hatTofet hattōp̄eṯ kə·ṯō·p̄eṯ keTofet kəṯōp̄eṯ mê·hat·tō·p̄eṯ mehatTofet mêhattōp̄eṯ ū·ḇə·ṯō·p̄eṯ ūḇəṯōp̄eṯ uveTofet veTofetLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 23:10 HEB: וְטִמֵּ֣א אֶת־ הַתֹּ֔פֶת אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּגֵ֣י NAS: He also defiled Topheth, which KJV: And he defiled Topheth, which [is] in the valley INT: defiled Topheth which the valley Jeremiah 7:31 Jeremiah 7:32 Jeremiah 7:32 Jeremiah 19:6 Jeremiah 19:11 Jeremiah 19:12 Jeremiah 19:13 Jeremiah 19:14 9 Occurrences |
    |