Tophet
LocationsGeographical Setting
An archaeological and topographical site in Jerusalem associated with ancient ritual practices and later biblical symbolism.
What is the meaning of Tophet in the Bible?
The Tophet was a designated area within the Valley of Hinnom south of Jerusalem, identified in archaeological contexts as a site for ritual child sacrifice to deities such as Baal and Moloch, with its name potentially deriving from Hebrew roots meaning 'drum' or 'burning place'.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the Tophet clarifies the historical basis for the biblical condemnation of child sacrifice and explains why the Valley of Hinnom became a metaphor for divine judgment and eternal punishment in later Jewish and Christian theology.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Tophet in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Tophet clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.