11. A den of robbers. The men who served and worshiped at the Temple were wicked men who covered their wickedness with a cloak of piety.
Baalim. A transliteration of the Hebrew plural for Baal. The word is equivalent to the “other gods” of 1:16.
In the valley. The prophet substantiated his charges by an appeal to the facts. Jeremiah probably referred to the abominations carried on in the valley of the son of Hinnom, south and west of Jerusalem ( 7:31, 32; 19:2, 6, 13, 14; 32:35). On the southern brow of the hill overlooking this valley, Solomon had erected a high place for Molech, the god of Ammon (see on 1 Kings 11:7). From time to time later idolatrous kings revived the horrid rites in the same vicinity. Ahaz and Manasseh made their children “pass through the fire” (2 Kings 16:3; 21:6; 2 Chron. 28:3; 33:6). To put an end to the abominations of this valley, the good king Josiah polluted the site with bones and refuse (see on 2 Kings 23:10).
I have seen. The inhabitants of Judah could not hide their evil intentions from God. He was not blinded by all their vain oblations. He had seen all and would punish accordingly (see Ps. 10:11, 13, 14; Isa. 29:15).
Dromedary. bikrah, “a young she-camel,” here represented as running around in the heat of desire. Such is the ardor for idolatry shown by the people of Israel.