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הִנֹּם

𐤄𐤍𐤌

Hinom

H2011 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Hinnom (הִנֹּם) is a proper noun denoting a specific person, the eponymous ancestor of the 'Valley of Hinnom' (גֵּיא בֶן־הִנֹּם, gei ben-Hinnom), a geographical feature situated just south and southwest of ancient Jerusalem. The word itself refers primarily to this individual and, by extension, is the basis for the valley's designation in biblical texts. In later periods, the name is closely associated with the valley, which acquires strong connotations relating to idolatrous practices and, subsequently, eschatological imagery (e.g., 'Gehenna').

Semantic Range

personal name Hinnom; eponym for a valley south of Jerusalem; toponymic base for 'valley of Hinnom'; later basis for the term 'Gehenna' in Second Temple and postbiblical literature

Root / Etymology

The name Hinnom is of uncertain derivation and possibly of non-Hebrew (foreign) origin, as suggested by the form and by the biblical association with pre-Israelite Jerusalem. It is not transparently derived from a known Hebrew root, and no plausible etymology has been confirmed in Hebrew or related Semitic languages.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term הִנֹּם first appears in reference to 'the Valley of Hinnom,' a location south of Jerusalem that forms a significant boundary marker in narratives and boundary lists (e.g., Joshua 15:8; 18:16). It is notable as the site where later Judahite kings permitted or encouraged child offerings to Molech (2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31–32), practices viewed negatively in the Deuteronomistic and prophetic texts. Over time, the valley's name, through 'gay' (valley) plus 'ben Hinnom' (son of Hinnom), was shortened in post-biblical Hebrew and Aramaic to Gehenna (גֵּיהִנָּם), eventually coming to denote a place of eschatological punishment in Second Temple Jewish literature. The English rendering as 'Hinnom' does not convey these later theological associations but preserves the original reference to the person and, by implication, toponym. Unlike standard English translations that sometimes use 'hell' for later 'Gehenna,' in the Hebrew Bible 'Hinnom' always functions as a proper name connected to the valley or its eponymous ancestor, not as a common noun for a place of torment.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably of foreign origin; Hinnom, apparently a Jebusite; Hinnom.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

uncertain (Baleadan) — uncertain

Root uncertain (proper name; eponymous ancestor), (geographic name base)
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1002 בִּירָה the citadel
H105 אֲגַרְטָל bowls of
H1081 בַּלְאֲדָן Baladan
H1085 בִּלְדַּד Bildad
H1095 בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר Belteshatsar

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2011-01 הִנֹּ֑ם hinom HNp Hinnom Hinnom Hinom 13

Occurrences in Scripture

13 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2011-01 Joshua 15:8 הִנֹּ֗ם hinom HNp Hinnom Hinnom Hinom
H2011-01 Joshua 15:8 הִנֹּם֙ hinom-2 HNp Hinnom Hinnom Hinom
H2011-01 Joshua 18:16 הִנֹּ֔ם hinom HNp Hinnom Hinnom Hinom
H2011-01 Joshua 18:16 הִנֹּ֜ם hinom-2 HNp Hinnom Hinnom Hinom
H2011-01 2 Kings 23:10 הִנֹּ֑ם hinom HNp of Hinnom Hinnom Hinom
H2011-01 Jeremiah 7:31 הִנֹּ֔ם hinom HNp of-Hinnom Hinnom Hinom
H2011-01 Jeremiah 7:32 הִנֹּ֔ם hinom HNp of Hinnom Hinnom Hinom
H2011-01 Jeremiah 19:2 הִנֹּ֔ם hinom HNp Hinnom Hinnom Hinom
H2011-01 Jeremiah 19:6 הִנֹּ֑ם hinom HNp Hinnom Hinnom Hinom
H2011-01 Jeremiah 32:35 הִנֹּ֗ם hinom HNp Hinnom Hinnom Hinom
H2011-01 Nehemiah 11:30 הִנֹּֽם hinom HNp of Hinnom Hinnom Hinom
H2011-01 2 Chronicles 28:3 הִנֹּ֑ם hinom HNp of Hinnom Hinnom Hinom
H2011-01 2 Chronicles 33:6 הִנֹּ֔ם hinom HNp of Hinnom Hinnom Hinom
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