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(biblical) A location near Jerusalem in the valley of Gehenna where children were burned alive as sacrifice. quotations examples
And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.
1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], Jeremiah 7:31
Hell, Gehenna. quotations examples
In this Tophet, they commonly immolated their little children, and sometimes men of more yeers than discretion [...].
1638, Thomas Herbert, Some Yeares Travels, section II
But already is the day of their avengement begun; the hero is at length arisen who shall send all such as bear enmity to the true Church, or trust in works of their own, to Tophet!
1824, James Hogg, The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner
“Well,” I says, “I cal'late a body could get used to Tophet if he stayed there long enough.” ¶ She flared up; the least mite of a slam at Doctor Wool was enough to set her going.
1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter V, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y., London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company