Kidron Valley

The Kidron Valley (classical transliteration, Cedron, from Hebrew: נחל קדרון, Naḥal Qidron, literally Qidron River; also Qidron Valley) is a valley originating slightly northeast of the Old City of Jerusalem, which then separates the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives, and ending at the Dead Sea. Beyond Jerusalem it continues in a general south-easterly direction through the Judean Desert in the West Bank, reaching the Dead Sea near the settlement of Ovnat, and descending 4,000 feet (1,200 m) along its 20-mile (32 km) course.

Etymology

The Hebrew name Qidron is derived from the verb qadar, "to be dark", and may be meant in this context as "dusky".

In Christian tradition the similarity between the Greek word for cedar, κέδρος (kédros), and the Greek name of the valley as used in the Septuagint, Κεδρών (Kedrṓn), has led to the Qidron Valley being wrongly called "Valley of the Cedars".

In ancient Hebrew sources, as well as in Arabic, different segments of the valley bear different names. Arabic names include وادي الجوز, Wadi el-Joz, 'Valley of the Walnut', but possibly a shortening of "Valley of Josaphat", for the upper segment, near the Temple Mount; and Wadi en-Nar, 'Fire Valley', for the rest of it – with at least the segment at the ancient Mar Saba ('Saint Sabbas') monastery also known in the 19th century as Wadi er-Rahib, 'Monk's Valley'.

In its upper part, the Palestinian neighbourhood of Wadi Joz bears the valley's Arabic name. The Israeli settlement of Kedar, in the West Bank, is named after the valley’s Hebrew name; the settlement is considered illegal under international law by most of the international community.

The Hebrew Bible apparently calls the upper course Emek Yehoshafat, the "Valley of Josaphat". It appears in Jewish eschatologic prophecies, which include the return of Elijah, followed by the arrival of the Messiah, and the War of Gog and Magog and Judgment Day.