Dear Editor,
In mid-2021, I began researching the word “Hell” used seven times in Matthew’s Gospel.
I learned that Matthew’s Gospel was first written in Hebrew & Aramaic … and the word “Hell” is a terrible and irresponsible mis-translation of Jesus’ Aramaic phrase “Gei-Hinnom” … correctly translated “Valley of Hinnom.”
Unfortunately, later translations of Matthew’s Gospel converted Jesus’ “Gei-Hinnom” into the Greek “Gehenna” … used in Greek mythology to describe “a place of eternal torment.”
Moses outlawed the murder of Israel’s children via Molech worship in 1,290 BC. Infanticide remained illegal in Israel for 333 years (1,290 to 957 BC) when Solomon legalized the worship of the false gods Molech and Baal, who demanded child-sacrifice.
Solomon’s infanticide legalization had consequences. The Lord “tore” the united 12 tribes of Israel apart … resulting in a civil war between King Jeroboam of the 10 northern tribes … and Rehoboam, the king of Judah (and Benjamin) in the south. This was the first national destruction orchestrated by the Lord.
In 722 B.C., the Lord caused the 10 northern tribes to be overcome. Legalized infanticide was one reason given for this destruction. This was the second national destruction orchestrated by the Lord.
In 586 BC, 136 years after the fall of the 10 northern tribes, the Lord caused Judah to be overcome. Only one reason is given … legalized infanticide. This was the third national destruction orchestrated by the Lord.
However, the Lord orchestrated a fourth national destruction that no one talks about:
· Jesus taught that the love and blessing of children is required for entrance into the kingdom of God. Jesus “called out” the Jews 11 times for their infanticides. He said they should “pluck out their eyes,” “cut off their hands” and/or “cut off their feet” rather than go into the valley and practice its Molech & Baal worship. The Lord gave the Jews 40 years to stop practicing legalized infanticide. They did not.
· After being ruled over by the Greeks for 223 years (323 to 100 BC) … and the Romans for 166 years (100 BC to 70 AD), Jewish rebels attempted to establish an independent Judean state in 66 AD. A Jewish rebellion, known as the First Jewish-Roman war, ensued. The Jewish rebels overcame 4,500 Roman soldiers and expelled the Romans from Jerusalem.
· General Vespasian was brought in to “squash” the Jews in 70 AD. He plundered Jerusalem and Judea, destroyed the Second Temple, and dispersed the Jews. 1.1 million Jews died during the 5-month war. Another 97,000 Jews were enslaved.
· Victorious General Vespasian was proclaimed Roman Emperor. Emperors traditionally gave gifts to Rome’s citizens in celebration of their victories. Vespasian’s gift was the Colosseum. It was paid for out of the plunder from the first Jewish-Roman war and built by 60,000 able-bodied Jewish slaves.
· Today, the Colosseum stands as a silent witness to the 8-billion people on earth that the Lord will not long tolerate the nation(s) that practice legalized infanticide.
Dr. Edwin E. Nutbrown, PhD
Mount Gilead, Ohio