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Hell or Gehenna?

01-09-2025 - Posted by Geert-Jan
Originally posted on December 10, 2003 – by Andre Piet

Partly in connection with a discussion currently taking place on the forum, I have placed a text in the section “examined” dealing with Gehenna, i.e. the valley of Hinnom near Jerusalem. The whole idea of a “hell” with its associated notions has absolutely NOTHING to do with it.

The context of Matthew 5:22 places us in any case on Jewish ground, as is also evident from the Hebrew insult “raka” that has been left untranslated in the Greek text. Raka means something like “good-for-nothing.” Jesus’ words concern the strict social regime in the coming Kingdom of the Messiah.

Also with regard to this verse it can be said that it is not good to give this bread that is meant for the children of Israel, to the nations (Matthew 15:26).

Delen: