p. 16 | Question Corner by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Sep 24, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 39.

Question Corner

By Editor

1282.—Worm Dieth Not.

What is the meaning of the expression, "their worm dieth not"? See Mark 9:44, 46, 48; Isa. 66:24.

L. T. B.

The word "hell" in Mark 9:43, 45, 47, "where their worm dieth not," comes from the Greek word Ge-henna, in Hebrew the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, once celebrated for the horrible worship of Moloch. It was afterwards polluted by every species of filth, a dumping-ground for the offal and refuse of the city, the dead bodies of animals, and the carcasses of malefactors. Upon this mass of corruption worms constantly preyed, and constant fires were kept burning to destroy what the worms left. The worm and the fire in that valley of corruption became a fitting type of the utter destruction of the wicked. This is indicated in Isa. 66:24, where it is said the worms feed on their carcasses—dead bodies; and by Isa. 51:8, where we are told that "the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool." The fire consumes what is left. The thought is that neither will the worm die nor the fire be quenched till the utter destruction of all evil shall be accomplished.