Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 19:13. It’s a really powerful and sobering message about the wickedness of Jerusalem in the days of old. Here's a simplified explanation: Basically, it means: Jeremiah is telling us that Jerusalem was completely ruined – stained – because of its people’s behavior. He’s saying it became a place of utter shame and disrespect. Let’s unpack each part: “And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah…” This refers to the entire city of Jerusalem and the royal palaces in Judah (modern-day Israel). It's highlighting that this wasn’t just a single event; it was a widespread problem. “…shall be defiled as the place of Tophet.” Tophet is a very old, sacred place in Jewish tradition – think of it as a ruined and desolate garden where sacrifices were made to God. Jeremiah is comparing Jerusalem to this place of shame. It's being described as filthy and cursed. “Because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven…” This part is key. Jeremiah is saying that people in Jerusalem had been offering incense (a fragrant mixture used to honor God) to the heavens – literally, to God himself! They were making offerings and prayers up to Heaven. “…and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.” This means they were worshipping other deities – gods that weren’t recognized by the Jewish people or God. They were prioritizing false idols over true worship of Yahweh (God). So, what's the big takeaway? Jeremiah is saying that Jerusalem was a place where people had completely abandoned their faith and turned to idolatry – worshipping things other than God. This was an act of profound disrespect and rebellion against God’s authority. Why is this important? The Old Testament describes this period as a time of great judgment and destruction, with the destruction of Jerusalem itself being a direct result of this spiritual corruption. It's a stark warning about the dangers of straying from faith and the importance of remaining faithful to God. In short, it’s a story about a city that lost its way spiritually and was punished by God for its actions. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect this passage to other Bible stories or themes?