The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible

by Michael S. Heiser

The history of the Valley of Hinnom no doubt was part of the reason for this conception. The translated meaning of ge hinnom in Hebrew is most likely “valley of wailing,” an understandable description given the child sacrifice that took place there. The Valley of Hinnom was the place where King Ahaz and King Manasseh sacrificed their own sons as burnt offerings to Molech (2 Chr 28:3; 33:6). These sacrifices took place at ritual centers called topheth (“burning place”), and later the Valley of Hinnom became referred to by the place name Tophet (Jer 7:32; 19:6). The meaning and identity of Molech (Hebrew consonants, m-l-k) is hotly debated by scholars.17 It is hard to see one clear association, however, as coincidental. Molech’s name appears in two snake charms from Ugarit in connection with the city of Ashtaroth (Ugaritic: ʿ ṯṯrt), the place known from the biblical accounts about Og (Deut 1:4; 9:10; 12:4).18 Another Ugaritic text puts the god Rpu, the patron deity of the Rephaim, in Ashtaroth as well. These texts at the very least inform us that there was a close religious association between Molech and the Rephaim. This makes sense in light of the geographical relationship between the Valley of the Rephaim and the Valley of Hinnom in the Old Testament. What’s particularly fascinating—or disturbing—is that the location of these valleys is directly adjacent to the southern side of Jerusalem, Mount Zion, the place of Yahweh’s presence in his temple.