Gehenna
LocationsGeographical Setting
Gehenna is a topographical feature located south of ancient Jerusalem that evolved in Jewish and Christian tradition into a metaphor for eschatological judgment.
What is the meaning of Gehenna in the Bible?
Gehenna derives from the Hebrew Ge-Hinnom, referring to the Valley of Hinnom, a ravine south of Jerusalem that later became a symbol for the place of post-mortem punishment in New Testament literature.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the physical geography of the Valley of Hinnom clarifies the historical context of Jesus' references to Gehenna, distinguishing the literal location from its later theological development as a metaphor for divine judgment.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Gehenna in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Gehenna clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.