Jerusalem’s dark valley: The redemption of the Valley of Hinnom

The Valley of Hinnom, just south of the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City, is called Gey Ben Hinom in Hebrew: the Valley of the son of Hinnom. It is from this name that the Hebrew term “gehenom” appeared, which has become, somewhat ominously, synonymous with hell. 

Why on earth would anyone want to visit a valley associated with hell? In the video below, Oriel Moran leads us on a quick tour through the valley and shows the dramatic transformation into a place of beauty, fun and relaxation that’s well worth seeing today. However, it’s interesting to discover the history of the place and what led to its grim reputation.

The word “Hinnom” is probably from the name of an ancient Jebusite, living in the land before the 12 tribes of Israel arrived. The meaning of the word is uncertain, although Strong’s Concordance links it to wailing or lamentation, and the Jewish sages have associated it with empty, vain, or wasteful acts that lead to perdition. Either way, the meaning is not particularly positive. 

Strong’s describes Gey Ben Hinom as a deep valley with steep, rocky sides, adding that it separates Mount Zion “from the hill of evil counsel' and the sloping rocky plateau of the 'plain of Rephaim' to the south.” 

The place is described in the Book of Joshua 15:8, where the borders of Israel are laid down: “The boundary goes up by the Valley of the Son of Hinnom at the southern shoulder of the Jebusite (that is, Jerusalem). And the boundary goes up to the top of the mountain that lies over against the Valley of Hinnom, on the west, at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim.”

Today, Zion still stands to the north of the Hinnom Valley, and the Hill of Evil Counsel is now the location of a UN building. A main road leads out from a valley called “Emek Rephaim,” after the giants (rephaim) that were presumably once there. Not only were biblical giants like King Og of Bashan described as Rephaim, but the word also referred to departed spirits of the dead that had descended to Sheol. 

In Tractate Eruvin in the Talmud, the valley is described as one of the three entrances to Gehenna, or hell. The first is in the wilderness, where Achan and his whole clan were swallowed up for his unconfessed sin. The second entrance is in the sea, referring to Jonah’s call from the netherworld, or sheol, while the third is the Valley of Hinnom in Jerusalem. “There are two date trees in the valley of ben Hinnom, and smoke rises from between them… and this is the entrance to Gehenna.” 

The Jewish Sages connect it the words of the prophet Isaiah regarding the punishment of God’s enemies, “whose fire is in Zion, and whose furnace is in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 31:9). The biblical passage describes the importance of turning away from idolatry, which is what the valley had become famous for in biblical times.

The Valley of Hinnom is mentioned in the Bible a total of 11 times, mostly in connection with the abomination of child sacrifice to the Canaanite god, Molech.

“And 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 did not command, nor did it come into my mind,” laments the Lord in Jeremiah 7:31.

Topheth means a place of fire in the Aramaic language, and indicates the place of death and child sacrifice. The sages associate it with the Hebrew word for temptation, warning, “Anyone who allows himself to be seduced by his evil inclination will fall there.” 

During the First Temple period, the valley witnessed horrific pagan rituals, strongly condemned by the prophet Jeremiah. After these pagan practices ended, the area was repurposed as a garbage dump, where fires burned continuously. Sulfur (brimstone) was added to maintain the flames, disposing of trash, animal carcasses, and the bodies of executed criminals. This image of perpetual fire became so powerful that the valley's Hebrew name, Gehenom, became a metaphor for divine punishment and purification after death.

In fact, the concept influenced not only Jewish theological thought but also shaped the Christian understanding of hell, as reflected in the New Testament's use of the term "Gehenna."

Jesus uses the word multiple times in the Gospels, warning people of punishment in hell (Matthew 23:33, Mark 9:43-47, Luke 12:5) – a message that is also reiterated by his brother James. (James 3:6)

The fires that smoldered continuously in biblical times are no longer burning, and today the valley looks like the exact opposite of its hellish past in ancient history.

Just as Jesus invited mankind to cross over from sin and death to eternal life through His sacrificial death and resurrection, now there is a bridge spanning the valley, bringing new life to the area. Once home to pagan altars and burning fires, the site now features Israel’s longest suspension bridge – a 202-meter span connecting the slopes of the Hinnom Valley to Mount Zion, offering stunning views of the landscape.

The area has blossomed into a green sanctuary and is now the site of a free tourist attraction, “The Farm in the Valley,” which showcases ancient agricultural crafts through workshops and educational activities.

The City of David Foundation also created a 731-meter zip line over the valley with spectacular views of the Old City, offering breathtaking views of the Old City.

However, the past is not forgotten. Archaeological excavations led by Prof. Gabriel Barkay uncovered silver scrolls inscribed with the Priestly Blessing, dating back approximately 2,600 years. Alongside them, other First Temple period treasures – urns, amulets and colorful jewelry – were discovered, firmly linking the site to its biblical past, even to the time of Jeremiah. What would the prophet make of the valley today, if he could see it now?

The Hinnom Valley embodies Jerusalem's ability to transform darkness into light. While it once represented divine punishment, the valley now serves as a bridge between past and present – between Mount Zion and the modern city of Jerusalem.