Judgment · Final Judgment

Isaiah 66:24

Isaiah · ~740 BC · Status: Disputed · Evidence weight: 75%
“And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.”
King James Version
More of Isaiah 66 on this siteIsaiah 66:1-24 · Isaiah 66:8

The carcases of the transgressors, their worm not dying and their fire not quenched — the verse Jesus quotes of Gehenna, and Isaiah's deliberate last word.

Fulfillment References

Mark 9:44,48 Matthew 18:9 Revelation 20:10

Archaeological & Historical Evidence

The Hinnom Valley (Gehenna) south of Jerusalem was used for burning garbage and corpses; Jesus used the term 'Gehenna' from this geography.

How Traditions Read This Prophecy

JewishPhysical description of the dead bodies of God's enemies; Gehenna as a concept develops from this.
CatholicThe eternal punishment of hell; the fire and worm language is used by Jesus himself.
ProtestantJesus cites this (Mark 9:44,48) as a description of hell/Gehenna.
AcademicThe Hinnom Valley had a long history as a site of fire; Jesus drew on this geography metaphorically.
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