Tophet
A physical, geographical location in Judah. In the Valley of the son of Hinnom. Immediately outside the Eastern gate of Jerusalem. Intended for disposal of trash and garbage.
Generations of Judah’s kings used it as a location for child sacrifice in their worship of false gods. King Josiah was the first to attempt to destroy it. 2 Kings 23:10. It will be used for the destruction of the Anti-christ.
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The Prophet Jeremiah
Jeremiah 7 and 19
Jeremiah told the people it would be filled with their bodies when the Babylonians came to take Judah into captivity.
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Jeremiah 7:31-32 |
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And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place.
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Jeremiah prophesied directly from it to the people in Jeremiah chapter 19.
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Jeremiah 19:2, 4-6, 11b-13 |
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Verse 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,
Verses 4-6
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; 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: 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.
Verses 11b-13
…and they shall bury them in Tophet, till there be no place to bury. Thus will I do unto this place, saith the LORD, and to the inhabitants thereof, and even make this city as Tophet: 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.
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The Prophet Isaiah
Isaiah Chapters 30 and 31
Isaiah pronounces it as the place of the Final Destruction of the Anti-christ.
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Isaiah Chapter 30 verse 31-33 |
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For through the voice of the LORD shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod.
And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the LORD shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will he fight with it.
For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.
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“Tabret” = timbrel
“the Assyrian” = the Anti-christ as referenced in Isaiah 10:24.
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Isaiah Chapter 31 verse 8-9 |
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Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited. And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.
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The destruction of Antichrist (the Assyrian) and his armies with their leaders (princes).
“…fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.”
Tophet will be a furnace.