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γέεννα

géenna

G1067 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Originally, 'Valley of Hinnom,' a ravine south and southwest of ancient Jerusalem; in later usage, a metaphorical designation for a place of post-mortem punishment or destruction. In the New Testament and Second Temple Jewish literature, γέεννα is employed primarily to denote an eschatological realm of judgment or punishment rather than a physical location.

Semantic Range

Valley of Hinnom (geographic location), place of post-mortem punishment, realm of eschatological judgment, metaphor for destruction or ruin

Root / Etymology

From Hebrew גֵּיא (gê', 'valley') and a personal name Hinnom (הִנֹּם, hinnom), yielding גֵּי־הִנֹּם (gê-hinnom), 'Valley of Hinnom.' Transliterated into Greek as γέεννα (géenna). Not a native Greek formation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, the Valley of Hinnom (Ge-Hinnom) was geographically located outside Jerusalem and became infamous as a site associated with certain cultic practices considered abhorrent (e.g., child sacrifice, cf. 2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31). By the Second Temple period and in early rabbinic literature, Gehenna evolved into a symbolic locus of divine judgment or punishment after death, often contrasting with the place of the righteous. In the New Testament (esp. the Synoptic Gospels), γέεννα is almost exclusively used by Jesus (except James 3:6), frequently in warnings concerning final judgment and the consequences of sin, emphasizing destruction rather than physical torment. Rare in extra-biblical Greek sources, the term does not correspond precisely to the later medieval Christian concept of 'hell.' Standard translations as 'hell' may obscure its origins as a physical place and its significance as a metaphor for destruction, shame, or punishment. In contrast to ᾅδης (hades), which more generally designates the abode of the dead, γέεννα is specifically linked to judgment.

Translation Consistency

primary "Gehenna" 12 occurrences

Most natural and consistent choice: a single-word proper-noun transliteration that preserves the term’s distinctive sense (originally the Valley of Hinnom, later the eschatological place of punishment). Using “Gehenna” avoids conflating this concept with broader English words like “hell” or with the literal geographic phrase “Valley of Hinnom,” and matches common Biblical-translation practice.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Hebrew origin (גַּיְא and הִנֹּם); valley of (the son of) Hinnom; ge-henna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment:--hell.

Root Family

γέεννα (géenna) — valley, place of destruction, place of punishment

Root γέενν- valley, place of destruction, place of punishment

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1067-01 Γέενναν geennan N ACC F SG hell the Valley of Hinnom Gehenna 8
G1067-03 Γεέννης geennes N GEN F SG hell of Gehenna Gehenna 3
G1067-02 Γεέννῃ geenne N DAT F SG hell to the Valley of Hinnom Gehenna 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1067-01 Matthew 5:22 Γέενναν geennan N ACC F SG hell the Valley of Hinnom Gehenna
G1067-01 Matthew 5:29 Γέενναν geennan N ACC F SG hell the Valley of Hinnom Gehenna
G1067-01 Matthew 5:30 Γέενναν geennan N ACC F SG hell the Valley of Hinnom Gehenna
G1067-02 Matthew 10:28 Γεέννῃ geenne N DAT F SG hell to the Valley of Hinnom Gehenna
G1067-01 Matthew 18:9 Γέενναν geennan N ACC F SG hell the Valley of Hinnom Gehenna
G1067-03 Matthew 23:15 Γεέννης geennes N GEN F SG of hell of Gehenna of Gehenna
G1067-03 Matthew 23:33 Γεέννης geennes N GEN F SG hell of Gehenna Gehenna
G1067-01 Mark 9:43 Γέενναν geennan N ACC F SG hell the Valley of Hinnom Gehenna
G1067-01 Mark 9:45 Γέενναν geennan N ACC F SG hell the Valley of Hinnom Gehenna
G1067-01 Mark 9:47 Γέενναν geennan N ACC F SG hell the Valley of Hinnom Gehenna
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