Valley of Hinnom
Detestable place where children were burned to Molech; later symbolized 'Gehenna' (eternal destruction)
First mentioned in the Bible
"They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and daughters in the fire, something that I had not commanded and that had never even come into my heart."— Jeremiah 7:31
Background
The Valley of Hinnom was south and west of Jerusalem. Wicked kings Ahaz and Manasseh of Judah burned children here as offerings to the false god Molech. King Josiah later defiled the place so it could no longer be used. By Jesus' time, 'Gehenna' (the Greek form of Valley of Hinnom) became a symbol of eternal destruction.
Related Scriptures (New World Translation)
They have built the high places of Toʹpheth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinʹnom, in order to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, something that I had not commanded and that had never even come into my heart.’— Jeremiah 7:31Explore Valley of Hinnom on the interactive map →
Click the button above to open the interactive map