הִנֹּם (hin.nom)
hin.nom
(Topheth of) Hinnom
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun hinnom refers to a specific valley southwest of Jerusalem, situated between Mount Zion and the plateau known as the Plain of Rephaim. This deep, narrow ravine with steep rocky sides played a significant role in Israel’s history, appearing frequently in the books of Joshua, Jeremiah, and Second Chronicles.
Its name is often linked to the concept of lamentation or mourning, a meaning that grew darker over time. The valley became infamous for idolatrous practices, particularly child sacrifice to Molech, which King Josiah later defiled to end the rites (2 Chronicles 28:3; 33:6). Because of these abominations, Jeremiah used it as a symbol of divine judgment, calling it the Valley of Slaughter.
When combined with the word tophet, meaning a drum or possibly a place of burning, the phrase Topheth of Hinnom became a poetic metaphor for hell or destruction in later Jewish and Christian thought. The physical location thus transformed from a geographical landmark into a powerful theological image of separation from God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Hinnom points to a real place just outside Jerusalem’s walls, yet it carries a heavy weight in Scripture. It began as a geographical boundary but became known for practices that stood in direct opposition to God’s love. King Josiah worked to cleanse the site, trying to restore its dignity after years of misuse. This history reminds us that physical spaces can reflect the spiritual state of those who inhabit them.
For believers today, the transformation of this valley into a symbol of judgment highlights the seriousness with which God views idolatry and the harm done to the vulnerable. It serves as a sobering reminder that sin has consequences that extend beyond the individual. Yet, the very fact that these events are recorded offers hope; it shows that God sees injustice and ultimately desires restoration over destruction.
Understanding this word helps us grasp the depth of the prophets’ warnings. When Jeremiah spoke of judgment, he used a familiar landmark to make his message tangible. It invites us to examine our own lives, ensuring that we do not allow anything to take the place of God in our hearts. The hope lies in God’s power to redeem even the most broken places.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hinnom11×
- [Ben] Hinnom2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הִנֹּ֔ם5×
- הִנֹּ֑ם3×
- הִנֹּ֗ם2×
- הִנֹּם֙1×
- הִנֹּֽם\׃1×
- הִנֹּ֜ם1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 23:10
He defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.
This verse marks a turning point where King Josiah actively defiles the site to stop child sacrifice, showing God’s desire to reclaim what was corrupted.
-
Jeremiah 7:31
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 didn’t command, nor did it come into my mind.
Here God expresses shock that such acts were not only uncommanded but never even entered His mind, emphasizing their alien nature to His character.
-
Jeremiah 7:32
Therefore behold, the days come”, says Yahweh, “that it will no more be called ‘Topheth’ or ‘The valley of the son of Hinnom’, but ‘The valley of Slaughter’; for they will bury in Topheth until there is no place to bury.
The renaming of the valley to 'Valley of Slaughter' illustrates how persistent rebellion leads to inevitable and total judgment.