Tophet, Which Is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom

2022-12-20

In the Old Testament, there is mention of a place called Tophet, which was in the valley of the son of Hinnom. What was this terrible place?

The historical Tophet was a place where people sacrificed their children to pagan gods. King Josiah ended the evil practices there: “And 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” (2 Kings 23:10).

Because of the much shedding of innocent blood, the people would be repaid for their wickedness: “Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place” (Jeremiah 7:32).

However, the historical location also represents something else, an eternal burning place. It is most clearly used in this sense here: “For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it” (Isaiah 30:33). This place is set on fire of the Lord. The context shows that this is a place of the Lord’s vengeance.

In the New Testament, the phrase “Valley of Hinnom” in Hebrew is transliterated many times (Gehenna) and is one of the words that translates to the English word “hell.” For example, one usage is here: “But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him” (Luke 12:5).

Don’t forget that hell, or in its eternal form, the lake of fire, is a real place. “...into the fire that never shall be quenched” (Mark 9:45). Jesus Christ died to save us from this terrible place. Never forget the cost for our sin: the death of the Son of God.

Better yet, since Jesus Christ rose from the dead, we know to Whom we must flee for eternal life.