Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 7:31

31 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.

See on Isa. 30.33. it comes from Toph that signifies a drum because they did beat drums to hinder the noise of their childrens screeches when they burnt them in Sacrifice upon the Altars, called here high places to Moloch, which is also called Mel[illegible: 1 letter]hom.

Tophet was situate in a pleasant Valley near Jerusalem, a place in the possession of the children of one Hinn[illegible: 1 letter]m, Josh. 15.8. watered by the River of Siloe.

This most inhumane practice of burning their children, even their own Bowels to Moloch, not their sons only, but their daughters who were most tender, they did expresly against the command and caution of God, see on Deut. 18.10. having learned it of the Heathen, Deut. 12.30, 31. the Devil commanding them so to do by his Oracles; they took pattern from the Samaritans, where those of every Nation make gods of their own, 2 King. 17.29, 30, 31.

Which was always so far from my approving; that I never let it come into my thought or debate, whether I should or not: Or, which I abhorred from my heart, he speaks herein after the manner of men. See chap. 3.16. & 32, 35.

Marginal references: 2 Kin. 23.10. chap. 19.5.; Heb. upon my heart.