Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 19:11

11 And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts , Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potters vessel, that cannot be made whole again , and they shall bury them in Tophet, till there be no place to bury .

A name ordinarily given to God, here very properly, to let them know that he said nothing with his Lips, but what he had power by his Hand to accomplish, being the Captain General of all the Armies of his Creatures.

God by ordering the Prophet to carry no other Vessel, but one of Earth, had a design upon the breaking of it, not only to shew them that he would bruise, wound, or indammage them greatly, but so destroy them, as there should be no present remedy. If a vessel of Brass, Silver, Gold, &c. be broken, it may be mended, but an earthen vessel if broken, cannot be made whole, see the like Isaiah 30.14.

He tells them that this Tophet, which they had made a place of barbarous slaughter for the children, kill'd for Idolatrous Sacrifices, should continue for a slaughter-house, but of another nature, even for them that had committed such wickedness in it, who should be slain there in such plenty, that they should want ground to bury dead carcasses in.

Marginal references: Heb. be healed ▪; chap. 7.32.