The Church Fathers on this verse

Jeremiah 19:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And go forth into the valley of the son of Ennom, which is by the entry of the earthen gate: and there thou shalt proclaim the words that I shall tell thee.

Douay-Rheims

וְיָצָ֙אתָ֙ אֶל־גֵּ֣יא בֶן־הִנֹּ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֕ר פֶּ֖תַח שַׁ֣עַר החרסות הַֽחַרְסִ֑ית וְקָרָ֣אתָ שָּׁ֔ם אֶת־הַדְּבָרִ֖ים אֲשֶׁר־אֲדַבֵּ֥ר אֵלֶֽיךָ׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

4 Church Fathers comment on this verse

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

He ventured out to the site of the countless deaths of the children of the deceased, located close to the entrance of the gates of Harsid. This site, marked by the extensive destruction of the dead, is referred to as the location where the Assyrian forces were vanquished, and many from among the Jews fell to the swords of the Chaldeans. To ensure that this place served as a reminder of both God's past mercy and the subsequent rebellion against Him, he instructed the prophet to proclaim words at that location. He directed him to the very place of transgressions, where they offered incense to Baal and sacrificed their children.

Ephraem the Syrian

4th centuryChurch Father

The prophet selected the valley of Tophet, as it was here that the Israelites worshiped detestable idols and offered their children in sacrifice to them. Hence, he goes on to say: (Jeremiah 19:9)

Jerome of Stridon

4th centuryChurch Father

The Lord declares that you should take the clay jar from the potter, along with the elders of the people and the priests, and proceed to the valley of the son of Hinnom, located by the entrance of the pot gate; there you are to proclaim the words I will share with you. Declare to the kings of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Hear the word of the Lord.

Read more (232 words)

The term for the potter's jar in Hebrew is "bocboc,” while the LXX interprets it as "a barrel." The gate of the pot is referred to as "Harsif," with variations noted by Symmachus and Theodotion using the Hebrew "harfith." The LXX often used the Greek letter chi instead of the aspirated letter het, resulting in Harsif instead of Arsif, similar to the variations seen with "Hebron" and "Jericho." The Divine Scripture emphasizes that the people should learn not solely through hearing, but also through sight, as what is perceived visually is often remembered more effectively than auditory information. Thus, take a vessel made of clay and the elders of the people and priests, and enter the valley of the son of Hinnom, where we previously noted the presence of a shrine to Baal, an oak, and a grove nourished by the waters of Siloam. This valley is adjacent to the gate known in Hebrew as "Charsith," which means "clay." You shall announce or read there the words I will instruct you to deliver, so that they may fully comprehend my message. The terms "preach," "proclaim," and "read" are used because, as mentioned before, the Hebrew word "carath" encompasses these meanings. The intent is for both the kings of Judah and all the residents of Jerusalem to hear, thus ensuring that those who refuse to listen will have no justification for their actions.

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

After the Prophet delivered these messages and similar pronouncements, he instructed to take ‘the vessel of scantiness’ and go to ‘the place of much destruction,’ accompanied by the priests and the elders of the community. He intended to warn the city of impending ruin and to remind them of their idolatrous practices, thus foretelling the hardships that the siege would bring, along with the severe lack of essential provisions. Following this, he was to break the vessel and proclaim:

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.