Bible Dictionary
REPHAIM, VALE OF
The Valley of Rephaim was a fertile valley southwest of Jerusalem, on the border of Judah and Benjamin. David repeatedly defeated Philistine forces there.
Definition
The Valley of Rephaim was a fertile valley southwest of Jerusalem, on the border between Judah and Benjamin. It was associated with the Rephaim and was an important route or field for military activity.
Biblical Usage
David repeatedly defeated invading Philistines in this valley. The King James Version calls it the Valley of the Giants.
Historical Background
Josephus placed it between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. It corresponds to modern el-Biqa`, extending southwest from the valley of Hinnom, and may anciently have included much of the land between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>(`emeq repha'-im; koilas Rhaphaeim, koilas ton Titanon): This was a fertile vale (Isa 17:5), to the Southwest of Jerusalem (Jos 15:8; 18:16; the King James Version "Valley of the Giants"), on the border between Judah and Benjamin. Here David repeatedly defeated the invading Philistines (2Sa 5:18,22; 23:13; 1Ch 11:15; 14:9). It is located by Josephus between Jerusalem and Bethlehem (Ant., VII, iv, i; xii, 4). It corresponds to the modern el-Biqa`, which falls away to the Southwest from the lip of the valley of Hinnom. The name in ancient times may perhaps have covered a larger area, including practically all the land between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, where the head-waters of Nahr Ruben are collected.</p><p>W. Ewing</p>