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Hinnom, Valley Of

Locations
Modern Location Wadi er-Rababi, south of the Old City of Jerusalem
Coordinates 31.7736, 35.2328

Geographical Setting

A steep ravine located to the south and west of ancient Jerusalem that served as a boundary marker and site of historical religious conflict.

What is the meaning of Hinnom, Valley Of in the Bible?

The Valley of Hinnom, located south of Jerusalem, served as a site for child sacrifice to Moloch during the Israelite monarchy and evolved into a potent symbol of divine judgment within Second Temple Judaism.

SIGNIFICANCE

Recognizing the Valley of Hinnom clarifies the historical backdrop of prophetic condemnations found in books such as Jeremiah and traces the linguistic and theological development of the term Gehenna as a representation of eschatological punishment in the New Testament.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Hinnom, Valley Of (located near modern Wadi er-Rababi, south of the Old City of Jerusalem) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Hinnom, Valley Of in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Hinnom, Valley Of clarify?

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.

How to Cite This Entry

"Hinnom, Valley Of." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/hinnom-valley-of/
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