The works of the Reverend and learned John Lightfoot D. D., late Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge such as were, and such as never before were printed : in two volumes : with the authors life and large and useful tables to each volume : also three maps : one of the temple drawn by the author himself, the others of Jervsalem and the Holy Land drawn according to the author's chorography, with a description collected out of his writings.

CHAP. XXXIX. The Valley of Hinnom, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (Book 39)

A Great part of the Valley of Kidron was called also the Valley of Hinnom. Jere∣miah going forth into the Valley of Hinnom, went out by the gate 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Hacharsith, the Sun gate; Jer. XIX. 2. that is, the a 1.1 Rabbins and others being interpreters, by the East gate. For thence was the beginning of the Valley of Hinnom, which after some space bending it self Westward ran out along the South side of the City.

There is no need to repeat those very many things, which are related of this place in the Old Testament; they are historical. The mention of it in the New is only mystical and metaphorical, and is transferred to denote the place of the damned. Under the se∣cond Temple, when those things were vanished, which had set an eternal mark of infa∣my upon this place, to wit, Idolatry, and the howlings of Infants roasted to Moloch, yet so much of the filthiness, and of the abominable name remained, that even now it did as much bear to the life the representation of Héll, as it had done before.

It was the common sink of the whole City, whither all filth, and all kind of nastiness met. It was probably the common burying place of the City, (if so be they did now bury within so small a distance from the City.) They shall bury in Tophet, until there be no more any place, Jer. VII. 32. And there was there also a continual sire, whereby bones and other filthy things were consumed, lest they might offend or infect the City. There is a tradition according to the School of Rabban Jochanan ben Zaccai. b 1.2 There are two Paealm trees in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom, between which a smoak arises: and this is that we learn, The Palms of the Mountain are fit for Iron. And, this is the door of Ge∣henna.

Some of the Rabbins apply that of Esaiah hither, Chap. LXVI. vers. the last. They shall go out, and see the dead carcasses of the men that rebel against me, for their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched. Those Gentiles (saith Kimchi upon the place) who come to worship from month to month, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, shall go out without Jerusalem into the Valley of Jehosaphat, and shall see the carkasses of Gog and Magog, &c. And a little after, The just shall go out without Jerusalem into the Valley of Hinnom, and shall see those that rebel, &c.

What is to be resolved concerning the Valley of Jehosaphat, he himself doubts, and leaves undetermined: c 1.3 For either Jehosaphat, saith he, here erected some building, or did some work, or it is called the Valley of Jehosaphat because of judgment. So also Jarchi 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Jehosaphat means all one with the Judgment of the Lord.

Notes

• a 1.1

  See Kimchi upon the place
• b 1.2

  Bab. Erubhin, fol. 19. 1.
• c 1.3

  Kimchi upon Joel. 3.