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This is often called 'the valley of the son of Hinnom,' but who Hinnom and his son were is unknown. Joshua 15: 8; Joshua 18: 16; Neh. 11: 30. The valley running from east to west, on the south of Jerusalem, now bears the above name. In some part of this, supposed to be the east end, children were passed through the fire to false gods. Jer. 7: 31, 32; Jer. 32: 35. To prevent this Josiah defiled
TOPHETH in this valley. 2 Kings 23: 10; 2 Chr. 28: 3; 2 Chr. 33: 6. The prophet Isaiah gives the key to its being associated in the N.T. (under the name of GEHENNA) with eternal punishment: "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." Isa. 30: 33. See HELL. In God's judgements the valley shall become the 'valley of slaughter.' Jer. 19: 2-14.