Decision, Valley of

(עֵמֶק הֶחָרוּוֹ, E’mek, he-Charuts’, vale of the sentence; Sept. ἡ κοιλὰς τῆς δίκης, Vulg. Vallis concisionis), a name poetically given to the Valley of JEHOSHAPHAT SEE JEHOSHAPHAT (q.v.), as being the ideal scene of the signal inflictions by Jehovah upon Zion’s enemies at their restoration (Joe 3:14). In perversion of some such prediction, the Mohammedans still believe that the final judgment will take place on this spot, and have accordingly left a stone in the city wall overhanging the valley, projecting as a seat for their prophet in the capacity of judge.

DECISION, VALLEY OF.—The phrase is found only in Joe 3:14 ‘Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision; for the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision.’ This valley is evidently the valley of Jehoshaphat mentioned in the preceding context (Joe 3:2; Joe 3:12). The decision is that of Jehovah Himself, His final judgment upon the heathen assembled. The scene of this judgment has been fixed by Jews, Roman Catholics, and Mohammedans in the Valley of the Kidron. The valley of Jehoshaphat has been identified with the Valley of the Kidron since the time of Eusebius. Orelli, Michaelis, Robinson, and others think the valley of this prophecy is purely a symbolic one, the valley of ‘Jehovah’s judgment,’ as the Heb. name Jehoshaphat (‘Jehovah hath judged’) suggests.

D. A. Hayes.

See JEHOSHAPHAT, VALLEY OF.