The border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom to the side of the Jebusite (also called Jerusalem) southward; and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lies before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the farthest part of the valley of Rephaim northward.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 8. Ennom. Hebrew, Ge-ben-Hinnom, or simply Ge-ennom, whence Gehanan has probably been formed. In this vale, children were immolated to Moloc: the beating of drums, to hinder their lamentations from being heard, caused it perhaps to be called Tophet. It was to the east of Jerusalem, ( Calmet.) inclining to the south. Bible.—Northward. The valley extends south to Bethlehem. Joseph. vii. 10. Her David gained a great victory, 2 Kennicott. 5:23. Calmet.—Woods. This explanation is added by S. Jerom. Bible.—The ark remained at this city for some time, 1 Kennicott. 15:6. It was 10 miles north of Jerusalem.