to passe thorow the fire] The heathen burnt their children to death for a sacrifice to their idoll, which the Jews learned of them: and it is set out, sometimes by offering up their children for a sacrifice, as Psal. 106, 37, 38. Jeremiah 7:31. and Jeremiah 19:5. Sometimes, by causing them to passe thorow the fire, as 2 Chron. 33. 6. Jeremiah 32:35. The idol to which they consecrated their children, was Molech; whereof, see the Notes on 1 King 11. 5. The place where they used so to do, was called, The valley of the son of Hinnom. Hinnom was the name of a man: his son had a pleasant place neer Jerusalem, in a valley, which was usually called, The valley of the son of Hinnom, Joshua 15:8. and Joshua 18:16. It is also called, The valley of Hinnom, Nehemiah 11:30. In this valley was a place called Topheth, from the Hebrew word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉toph, tympanum, a timbrel or drum. See the Notes on Exodus 14:20. Because of the sacrificing of children, they used to beat a drum, and sound other instruments, that the cry of the childe might not be heard. Of sacrificing children in this valley, see 2 Chron. 28. 3. and 33. 6. Of Topheth in that valley, see Jer. 7. 31, 32. From that cruelty used in the valley of Hinnom, which in Hebrew is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉Gehinnom; the Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Gehenna, which signifieth hell, ariseth, Matth. 5. 22, 29. Yea, Topheth also is used in a like signification, Isaiah 30:33. See of Gehinnom, the Notes on Joshua 15:8.