The Kidron Valley runs north-south between the Mount of Olives and the eastern wall of the Temple Mount and the City of David. This valley actually continues all
the way to the Dead Sea. The total length of the valley is 20 miles, and it falls 4,000 feet. The Gihon Springs naturally filled this valley, but the settlers of Jerusalem
diverted the water into pools and channels to be used by the city.
The Bible describes David fleeing across this valley and up the Mount of Olives to escape his son Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13-30). King Asa worshipped here at
pagan altars with idols and Asherah poles (1 Kings 15:13). Athaliah was executed here after her evil reign in Judah was brought to a violent end (2 Kings 11:16).
Today there are many tombs and graves in the Kidron, since burying people here became a practice in the days of Josiah (2 Kings 23:6).
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when this city will be rebuilt... The whole valley where
dead bodies and ashes are thrown, and all the terraces out to the Kidron Valley on the east as
far as the corner of the Horse Gate, will be holy to the Lord. The city will never again be uprooted or
demolished.” - Jeremiah 31:38-40
The view standing in the Kidron Valley looking south. The Mount of Olives is to the left and the Temple Mount is
to the right at the top of Mount Moriah.
This photo is looking up from the Kidron Valley at the southeast corner of the Temple Mount Wall. In the days of the New Testament,
the building on this corner of the Temple Mount would have been even higher. Josephus describes the view from the
roof of the Royal Stoa, or Solomon’s Porch, saying:
It was a structure more noteworthy than any under the sun. The height of the portico was so great that if anyone looked
down from its rooftop he would become dizzy and his vision would be unable to reach the end of so measureless a depth.
- Josephus, Antiquities 15.412
Standing at the base of the southeast corner of the Temple Mount wall looking down into the Kidron Valley.
It is important to realize that the Kidron Valley was much deeper 2,000 years ago. The bottom of the Kidron Valley has been raised by the rubble and debris
of centuries falling into it. This is where Jesus was tempted by Satan to jump:
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.
“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down.” –Matthew 4:8
Looking south down into the Kidron Valley into the city of Silwan. The ancient City of David (Jerusalem of 1000 BC) is to the right (west) of the Kidron Valley.
This photo is taken from David's Palace. It is easy to understand why the Jebusites felt secure as they looked down into this valley at King David and
General Joab to shout, "You will never take this city."
Looking over the Kidron Valley at the Mount of Olives from the David's palace. The southeast corner of the Temple Mount is to the top at the left.
Looking down into the Kidron Valley from the base of the southeast corner of the Temple Mount at 2000 year old tombs cut into the west side of the Mount of Olives.
Looking up from the bottom of the Kidron Valley at 2000 year old tombs cut into the west side of the Mount of Olives.
Galyn examines a tomb cut into the side of the Kidron Valley during Jesus' lifetime.The architectuaral style includes both Egyptian and Greek influence that came from the influence
of the kingdoms of the Ptolemies and Seleucids between 300-100 BC.
Looking from the Mount of Olives towards the west over the Kidron Valley. The view includes the top of the Egyptian/Greek style first century tomb cut into the side of the Kidron..
Jewish graves fill the west slope of the Mount of Olives as they wait for the appearance of the Messiah.
Watch Galyn's video taken while walking in the Kidron Valley
Looking down at the same tombs from on top the west side of the Kidron Valley.
Remains of a tomb in Silwan called the "Tomb of Pharoah's Daughter"
Jewish graves on the east side of the Kidron (or, the west side of the Mount of Olives)
UPDATED! 2022 - JERUSALEM: HISTORY, ARCHAEOLOGY AND APOLOGETIC
PROOF OF SCRIPTURE - Revised Edition (2022)
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Looking south down into the Kidron Valley into the city of Silwan. The ancient City of David (Jerusalem of 1000 BC) is to the right (west) of the Kidron Valley.
Jewish graves on the east side of the Kidron (or, the west side of the Mount of Olives)
