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 submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
uncertain (uncertain) — proper name, eponymous ancestor, geographic name base
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1085 | בִּלְדַּד | Bildad |
| H1095 | בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר | Belteshatsar |
| H1114 | בִּלְשָׁן | Bilshan |
| H1150 | בִּנְעָא | Bin'a |
| H116 | אֱדַיִן | and then |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2011-01 |
הִנֹּ֗ם | hinom | HNp |
Hinnom | Hinnom | 13 |
Occurrences in Scripture
13 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2011-01 |
Joshua 15:8 | הִנֹּ֗ם | hinom | HNp |
Hinnom | Hinnom |
H2011-01 |
Joshua 15:8 | הִנֹּם֙ | hinom-2 | HNp |
Hinnom | Hinnom |
H2011-01 |
Joshua 18:16 | הִנֹּ֔ם | hinom | HNp |
Hinnom | Hinnom |
H2011-01 |
Joshua 18:16 | הִנֹּ֜ם | hinom-2 | HNp |
Hinnom | Hinnom |
H2011-01 |
2 Kings 23:10 | הִנֹּ֑ם | hinom | HNp |
of Hinnom | Hinnom |
H2011-01 |
Jeremiah 7:31 | הִנֹּ֔ם | hinom | HNp |
of-Hinnom | Hinnom |
H2011-01 |
Jeremiah 7:32 | הִנֹּ֔ם | hinom | HNp |
of Hinnom | Hinnom |
H2011-01 |
Jeremiah 19:2 | הִנֹּ֔ם | hinom | HNp |
Hinnom | Hinnom |
H2011-01 |
Jeremiah 19:6 | הִנֹּ֑ם | hinom | HNp |
Hinnom | Hinnom |
H2011-01 |
Jeremiah 32:35 | הִנֹּ֗ם | hinom | HNp |
Hinnom | Hinnom |