The word hell is an English invention to translate the idea of God’s judgment of sinners. The original Greek word in the Bible is Gehenna, the name of a valley on the south side of Jerusalem. Jews associated that valley with God’s judgment because: (1) They sacrificed to idols there. (2) God let invaders destroy their cities and exile them in 586 BC. Complete Guide to the Bible, p. 509.
About Stephen M. Miller
STEPHEN M. MILLER is an award winning bestselling Christian author of easy-reading books about the Bible and Christianity and author of the Casual English Bible® paraphrase. His books have sold over two million copies and include The Complete Guide to the Bible and Who’s and Where’s Where in the Bible.
interesting and accurate comment. This valley long held history of rejection to God, and the Potter’s field where Judah Escariat hung himself following selling Jesus out for 30 pieces of silver ironically exists within this valley
Hey, thanks Gary.