The King’s Valley and Gallim: Two Biblical Toponyms Located in the Jerusalem District

This article discusses the location of two toponyms mentioned in the biblical text and situated in the district of Jerusalem: the King’s Valley and Gallim. 1) The King’s Valley is mentioned twice in the biblical account and a few times in extra-biblical sources. The article suggests that it was located along the ridge that descends from Ramat Raḥel down to the Kidron Valley and was administered from the Ramat Raḥel centre. It obtained its name from the extensive agricultural operations undertaken along the ridge by the kings of Judah in the late monarchical period. 2) Gallim is mentioned among the northernmost group of towns of the Bethlehem district, alongside Karem, Bether and Manaḥat. It is suggested here that the name Gallim was assigned to the town on account of the many tumuli (gallîm) located all around the Refaʾim Valley and that Gallim should be identified at Khirbet er-Ras, the central Iron II village in the valley.