Back at that time, people were familiar with the Valley of Hinnom, an area used as a garbage dump where bodies of executed criminals who were deemed unworthy of a proper burial were deposited.
Jēzus klausītājiem šis vārds bija pazīstams, jo geenna jeb Hinoma ieleja bija atkritumu izgāztuve, kur izmeta arī ar nāvi sodītu noziedznieku līķus, jo tos uzskatīja par apbedīšanas necienīgiem.