probably of foreign origin; Hinnom, apparently a Jebusite; Hinnom.
Transliteration:Hinnôm
Pronunciation:hin-nome'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term הִנֹּם (Hinnôm, `{{H2011}}`) is a proper noun, primarily identifying a specific valley located just south and west of Jerusalem. The Strong's definition notes its probable foreign origin, suggesting it predates Israelite settlement in the region, possibly being a Jebusite name. While the base definition points to "Hinnom" as an individual, its consistent usage in the Hebrew Bible is almost exclusively as part of the phrase גֵּי בֶן הִנֹּם (*Ge Ben Hinnom*), "Valley of the Son of Hinnom," or simply גֵּי הִנֹּם (*Ge Hinnom*), "Valley of Hinnom." Thus, its semantic range is tightly bound to this geographical feature, which gains profound theological significance through its association with abhorrent religious practices and subsequent divine judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Hinnôm (`{{H2011}}`) appears predominantly in historical and prophetic books, always in reference to the valley.
In the Book of Joshua, the Valley of Hinnom is first introduced as a geographical landmark, delineating the boundary between the tribal territories of Judah and Benjamin. For example, [[Joshua 15:8]] describes the border ascending "by the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to the shoulder of the Jebusite southward (that is, Jerusalem)." Similarly, [[Joshua 18:16]] reiterates its role as a boundary marker for Benjamin. At this stage, the valley holds no particular negative connotation beyond its topographical function.
However, its character drastically changes in the Books of Kings and Chronicles. The Valley of Hinnom becomes infamous as the site where Judahite kings and their people engaged in the horrific practice of child sacrifice to the pagan deity Molech. [[2 Kings 23:10]] records King Josiah's righteous act of defiling Topheth, "which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, that no one might burn his son or his daughter as an offering to Molech." This act underscores the valley's deep defilement. Earlier, [[2 Chronicles 28:3]] and [[2 Chronicles 33:6]] explicitly condemn kings Ahaz and Manasseh for burning their children in the valley, highlighting the extreme idolatry practiced there.
The prophet Jeremiah repeatedly references the Valley of Hinnom as a place of profound national sin and impending divine judgment. In a powerful indictment, [[Jeremiah 7:31]] states, "They have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire—which I did not command, nor did it come into My mind." Due to these abominations, Jeremiah prophesies that the valley will be renamed "the Valley of Slaughter," where the dead bodies of the unfaithful will be piled up ([[Jeremiah 7:32]], [[Jeremiah 19:6]]). This prophetic renaming emphasizes the transformation of a place of human sacrifice into a place of divine retribution. [[Jeremiah 19:2]] and [[Jeremiah 32:35]] further reinforce its association with the detestable practice of child sacrifice.
Finally, in [[Nehemiah 11:30]], after the exile, the valley is again mentioned as a geographical reference point for the returning exiles, though its infamous history remains implicit.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of Hinnôm (`{{H2011}}`) is incomplete without considering its frequent companions and conceptual derivatives:
* **גֵּי (gey/gai)**: `{{H1516}}`, meaning "valley" or "ravine." This word almost invariably precedes Hinnôm, forming the common phrase "Valley of Hinnom."
* **בֶן (ben)**: `{{H1121}}`, meaning "son of." The full phrase "Valley of the Son of Hinnom" (גֵּי בֶן הִנֹּם) suggests a specific individual named Hinnom or a clan, from whom the valley derived its name.
* **מֹלֶךְ (Molech)**: `{{H4432}}`, the Ammonite deity to whom children were sacrificed in the Valley of Hinnom. This pagan god is central to understanding the valley's defilement.
* **תֹּפֶת (Topheth)**: `{{H8612}}`, a specific cultic site within the Valley of Hinnom, notorious for the burning of children. It becomes a byword for abomination.
* **"Valley of Slaughter"**: A prophetic renaming of the Valley of Hinnom by Jeremiah, symbolizing God's judgment and the horrific consequences of Israel's apostasy.
* **Γέεννα (Gehenna)**: `{{G1067}}`, the Greek transliteration of *Ge Hinnom* found in the New Testament. This is perhaps the most significant related concept. In the Gospels, Gehenna evolves from a literal valley associated with defilement and judgment into a metaphorical term for eternal punishment, hell, or the place of ultimate destruction for the unrighteous. The imagery of fire and unquenchable flames, possibly derived from the burning of refuse in the valley, became associated with this spiritual reality.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Hinnôm (`{{H2011}}`) undergoes a profound transformation throughout biblical history, moving from a neutral geographical marker to a potent symbol of sin, judgment, and ultimately, eternal consequences.
Initially, the Valley of Hinnom serves as a simple boundary marker, part of God's divinely apportioned land to His people. However, its later use for child sacrifice to Molech elevates it to a place of profound theological horror. This practice represented the ultimate spiritual betrayal: sacrificing one's offspring, the very future of the covenant people, to a false god. It was a direct violation of God's covenant and His commands against idolatry and human sacrifice ([[Leviticus 18:21]], [[Deuteronomy 18:10]]). Thus, the valley became the quintessential locus of Israel's deepest apostasy and moral depravity.
Consequently, Hinnom becomes a powerful symbol of divine judgment. The prophets, particularly Jeremiah, declare God's righteous wrath against the abominations committed there. The renaming of the valley to "Valley of Slaughter" vividly portrays the severity of God's response to such egregious sin. It signifies that the very place where Israel offered its children to idols would become a place where God's judgment would consume them. This serves as a stark reminder that God does not tolerate unrepentant sin and idolatry within His covenant people.
Most significantly, the Valley of Hinnom provides the conceptual and linguistic foundation for the New Testament concept of Gehenna (`{{G1067}}`). Jesus' frequent references to Gehenna ([[Matthew 5:22]], [[Matthew 10:28]], [[Mark 9:43]]) transform the physical valley, with its historical associations of defilement, fire, and destruction, into a powerful metaphor for final, eternal punishment for the wicked. This theological progression underscores the continuity of God's justice: just as the physical valley was defiled and became a place of judgment in the Old Testament, so too will unrepentant sin lead to ultimate spiritual destruction in the eschatological reality of Gehenna. The Valley of Hinnom thus stands as a solemn warning against idolatry and a testament to the righteous severity of God's judgment.
### Summary
Hinnôm (`{{H2011}}`) refers to a valley near Jerusalem, initially serving as a geographical boundary marker. Its biblical narrative shifts dramatically as it becomes infamous as the primary site for the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice to Molech by the people of Judah. This act cemented its identity as a place of profound idolatry and national defilement. Consequently, the prophets, especially Jeremiah, pronounced severe divine judgment upon the valley, prophesying its transformation into the "Valley of Slaughter" due to the abominations committed there. Theologically, Hinnôm thus symbolizes Israel's deepest spiritual apostasy and God's righteous, consuming wrath against sin. Most pivotally, its Hebrew name was transliterated into Greek as Gehenna (`{{G1067}}`) in the New Testament, where it evolves into the primary metaphor for hell or eternal punishment, thereby imbuing this ancient valley with profound eschatological significance as a place of ultimate divine retribution.
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