John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 19:12

"Thus will I do unto this place, saith Jehovah, and to the inhabitants thereof, even making this city as Topheth:" — Jeremiah 19:12 (ASV)

As he had said before that the valley would be the place of slaughter, so that it might take its name from there, so he now declares the same concerning the city: As then Tophet shall be the valley of slaughter, so shall Jerusalem be.

They were undoubtedly inflamed with rage (as we shall see in the next chapter) on hearing this prophecy. Yet God intended, however uncorrectable and rebellious they were, to let them know what was coming. And though they did not believe the Prophet’s words, God touched and even deeply wounded their consciences, so that they were miserable before the event occurred.

For the same purpose, he adds the following: