The Meaning of Jeremiah 19:2 Explained

Jeremiah 19:2

KJV: 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,

YLT: and thou hast gone forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, that is at the opening of the gate of the pottery, and hast proclaimed there the words that I speak unto thee,

Darby: and go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the pottery-gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee,

ASV: and go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the gate Harsith, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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, 

What does Jeremiah 19:2 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The prophet was then to go to the section of the Hinnom Valley just south of Jerusalem that was near the Potsherd Gate and deliver the message that the Lord would give him. The Potsherd Gate seems to have been another name for the Dung Gate, which was one of the southern gates to the city leading into the Hinnom Valley below (cf. Nehemiah 2:13; Nehemiah 3:13-14; Nehemiah 12:31). Evidently people disposed of their broken pottery and other refuse outside this gate.

Context Summary

Jeremiah 19:1-15 - The Folly Of Idolatry
Jeremiah 10:1-10
We are here introduced into an idol-factory. Contrasted with the manufactured idols is the majesty of our God. There is none like Him. His name is great in might; He is the King of the nations, the true and living God, and the everlasting King! Christian, fear not or be dismayed when enemies plot against you. It is a vain device that they frame. To hide in God is a sure defence from all that man can do for our hurt. O thou true and living Savior, in thy wounds harried and faithful souls become strong and brave again.
Jeremiah 10:19-25
The prophet now bids the people prepare for their captivity. Their city would be as when a shepherd removed his slight and insubstantial tent, leaving no trace. But Jeremiah's soul is lacerated and torn with the message he must needs announce. Are we called to be shepherds? Let us see to it that we seek the Lord; so only shall our flocks not be scattered, Jeremiah 10:21. Are we in perplexity as to our path in life? It is not for us to direct ourselves, but to look up for God's sure guidance, which will be given to the soul that waits for it, Jeremiah 10:23. Are we being corrected? Let us be patient; it is only when we endure without complaining that our trial works out the highest good, and God will not give us more than we can bear, Jeremiah 10:24. [source]

Chapter Summary: Jeremiah 19

1  Under the type of breaking a potter's vessel, is foreshown the desolation of the Jews

What do the individual words in Jeremiah 19:2 mean?

and go out to the Valley of the Son of Hinnom of Ben-hinnom of Hinnom which [is] by the entry of Gate - the Potsherd and proclaim there - the words that I will tell you
וְיָצָ֙אתָ֙ אֶל־ גֵּ֣יא בֶן־ הִנֹּ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֕ר פֶּ֖תַח שַׁ֣עַר [החרסות] (הַֽחַרְסִ֑ית) וְקָרָ֣אתָ שָּׁ֔ם אֶת־ הַדְּבָרִ֖ים אֲשֶׁר־ אֲדַבֵּ֥ר אֵלֶֽיךָ

וְיָצָ֙אתָ֙  and  go  out 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: יׄוצֵאת 
Sense: to go out, come out, exit, go forth.
גֵּ֣יא  the  Valley  of  the  Son  of  Hinnom 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: גַּיְא  
Sense: valley, a steep valley, narrow gorge.
בֶן־  of  Ben-hinnom 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
הִנֹּ֔ם  of  Hinnom 
Parse: Noun, proper
Root: בֶּן־הִנּׄם 
Sense: a valley (deep and narrow ravine) with steep, rocky sides located southwest of Jerusalem, separating Mount Zion to the north from the hill of evil counsel’ and the sloping rocky plateau of the ‘plain of Rephaim’ to the south.
אֲשֶׁ֕ר  which  [is] 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
פֶּ֖תַח  by  the  entry 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: פֶּתַח  
Sense: opening, doorway, entrance.
שַׁ֣עַר  of  Gate 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: שַׁעַר  
Sense: gate.
[החרסות]  - 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
(הַֽחַרְסִ֑ית)  the  Potsherd 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: חַרְסוּת 
Sense: potsherd.
וְקָרָ֣אתָ  and  proclaim 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: קָרָא  
Sense: to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים  the  words 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: דָּבָר  
Sense: speech, word, speaking, thing.
אֲשֶׁר־  that 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
אֲדַבֵּ֥ר  I  will  tell 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: דָּבַר 
Sense: to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing.