Gehenna

Meaning

Proper Noun

• In rabbinical literature and Christian and Islamic scripture, the place where the souls of the wicked go after death, where they suffer eternal damnation or annihilation.
• Hell.
• A place of suffering and misery.
• The valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem.

Related

Similar words

• Gehenom, Gehennom, Gehinom, Gehinnom (Jewish)
• Jahannam (Islamic)

Opposite words

• heaven

Origin

• From ecclesiastical Latin gehenna, from Ancient Greek γέεννα, from Hebrew גֵּיהִנּוֹם ("hell"), named after the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem, which was constantly filled with the waste of the city, which was then burnt. Heinous deeds are also associated with this valley, as during the time when Jerusalem was ruled by non-Jews (referred to in scriptures simply as 'pagans') child sacrifice was practiced there.