Editing Valley of Rephaim

{{Short description|Valley southwest of Jerusalem, Israel}}
[[File:NahalRefaimJaffaJerusalemOldRailroadFeb112023.jpg|thumb|[[Jaffa–Jerusalem railway]] and Valley of Rephaim near [[Jerusalem]]]]
The '''Valley of Rephaim''' ({{langx|he|עמק רפאים}}, ''Emeq Rephaim'') ({{bibleverse||Joshua|15:8|NIV}}; {{bibleverse||Joshua|18:16|NIV}}, R.V.) is a valley descending southwest from [[Jerusalem]] to [[Nahal Sorek]] below. It is an ancient route from the coastal plain to the [[Judean Hills]], probably named after the legendary race of giants. [[Emek Refaim]] ({{langx|he|עמק רפאים}}), the [[German Colony, Jerusalem|German Colony]] in Jerusalem, takes its name from this valley.

==Biblical narrative==
When [[David]] became king over all [[History of ancient Israel and Judah|Israel]], the [[Philistines]], judging that he would now become their uncompromising enemy, made a sudden attack upon [[Hebron]], compelling David to retire from it. He sought refuge in "the hold" at [[Adullam]] ({{bibleverse|2|Samuel|5:17-22|NIV}}), and the [[Philistines]] took up their position in (or [[Raid (military)|raided]]) the valley of [[Rephaim]], on the west and south-west of [[Jerusalem]]. Thus all communication between [[Bethlehem]] and Jerusalem was intercepted. While David and his army were encamped here, there occurred the battle narrated in {{bibleverse|2|Samuel|5:17-25|NIV}} and {{bibleverse|1|Chronicles|14:8-12|NKJV}}. Having obtained divine direction, David led his army against the Philistines, and gained a complete victory over them. The scene of this victory was afterwards called [[Baal-perazim]].

A second time, however, the Philistines rallied their forces in this valley ({{bibleverse|2|Samuel|5:22|NIV}} and {{bibleverse|1|Chronicles|14:13-16|NKJV}}). Again, warned by a divine saying about hearing a marching sound in the tops of the [[Bakkah#Valley of the Bakha|baka]] trees (הבכאים, KJV "[[mulberry tree]]s", most modern versions "balsam"), David led his army to [[Gibeon (ancient city)|Gibeon]], and attacked the Philistines from the south, inflicting on them another severe defeat, and chasing them with great slaughter to [[Gezer]]. There David kept in check these enemies of Israel and in consequence his fame grew.
==Archaeology==
One of the ancient farming complexes excavated in the Valley of Rephaim is Er-Ras, an Iron age terraced farm.<ref>[https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/peq.1996.128.1.3?journalCode=ypeq20 New Discoveries in the Rephaim Valley, Jerusalem]</ref> 
==Railway==
The Tel Aviv – Jerusalem railway, originally known as the [[Jaffa–Jerusalem railway]], uses the entire length of the Valley of the Rephaim from Jerusalem to its junction with [[Nahal Sorek]].
[[File:NahalSorekRefaimJaffaJerusalemRailroadRoad386Jan272023.jpg|thumb|Refaim Bridge, at which the [[Jaffa–Jerusalem railway]] is passing below [[Route 386 (Israel)|Road 386]], at the point Valley of Rephaim is entering [[Nahal Sorek|Valley of Sorek]]]]
[[File:NahalRefaimJaffaJerusalemOldRailroadJan272023 01.jpg|thumb|[[Jaffa–Jerusalem railway]] and Valley of Rephaim in the [[Judaean Mountains]]]]

==See also==
*[[Al-Walaja#'Ain el-Haniya spring|'Ain el-Haniya spring]], also spelled Ein Haniya, Al-Walaja village, Refa'im Valley Park

==References==
{{Reflist}}

;Attribution
{{eastons|wstitle=Rephaim}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|31|45|47.53|N|35|13|8.84|E|source:hewiki_region:IL|display=title}}

[[Category:Geography of Jerusalem]]
[[Category:Hebrew Bible valleys|Rephaim]]