תֹּ֫פֶת (to.phet)
to.phet
Topheth
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun tophet refers specifically to a location in the valley of Ben-hinnom, situated on the southeast edge of Jerusalem. Lexical sources identify it as a "burning-place," pointing to the horrific rituals that took place there. In the Old Testament, this site is notorious for being where kings like Ahaz and Manasseh permitted their children to be passed through fire as offerings to foreign gods (2 Kings 16:3; 21:6).
Jeremiah uses the term most frequently, transforming it from a mere geographic name into a symbol of divine judgment. He declares that God will change the valley’s purpose, turning it into "the Valley of Slaughter" because of the people’s idolatry (Jeremiah 7:31; 19:6). The word itself likely derives from a root meaning "to burn," reinforcing its association with the fire used in these abominable sacrifices.
By the time of Jesus, this place had become synonymous with ultimate defilement. While the Hebrew text focuses on the historical site and its prophetic condemnation, later Jewish tradition linked it to Gehenna, a concept of final punishment. The term serves as a stark reminder in Scripture of the consequences of turning away from God’s commands.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word Topheth points to a specific place in Jerusalem’s history where faith was tragically distorted. Located in the valley of Ben-hinnom, it became known for practices that stood in direct opposition to God’s commands. Kings like Ahaz and Manasseh allowed their children to be offered in fire, turning a geographic location into a symbol of severe spiritual rebellion.
Jeremiah used this term to warn Judah that idolatry leads to destruction. He declared that God would turn this place of sacrifice into a valley of slaughter, highlighting the serious consequences of turning away from divine instruction. This history serves as a sobering reminder of how far humanity can stray when it abandons trust in God.
For believers today, Topheth underscores the importance of remaining faithful to God’s ways. It reminds us that true worship requires obedience and purity. By reflecting on these ancient warnings, we are encouraged to keep our hearts aligned with God’s will and to reject any form of spiritual compromise.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <the>/ Topheth5×
- like/ Topheth1×
- in/ Topheth1×
- from/ <the>/ Topheth1×
- and/ in/ Topheth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/תֹּ֖פֶת2×
- מֵֽ/הַ/תֹּ֔פֶת1×
- כְּ/תֹֽפֶת\׃1×
- וּ/בְ/תֹ֣פֶת1×
- הַ/תֹּ֙פֶת֙1×
- הַ/תֹּ֗פֶת1×
- הַ/תֹּ֔פֶת1×
- בְ/תֹ֖פֶת1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 7:31
They have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I didn’t command, nor did it come into my mind.
This verse highlights the severity of the sin by noting that these actions were not commanded by God, emphasizing their complete deviation from divine will.
-
Jeremiah 7:32
Therefore behold, the days come”, says Yahweh, “that it will no more be called ‘Topheth’ or ‘The valley of the son of Hinnom’, but ‘The valley of Slaughter’; for they will bury in Topheth until there is no place to bury.
Here Jeremiah prophesies a name change to 'Valley of Slaughter,' showing how God transforms the site's purpose as an act of judgment against idolatry.
-
II Kings 23:10
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.
King Josiah’s defilement of Topheth demonstrates a royal effort to end these abominable practices and restore proper worship in Jerusalem.