Jehoshaphat

JEHOSHAPHAT, The Valley of JEHOSHAPHAT. Joel says, that, The Lord will gather all nations in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there. Abenezra is of opinion, that this Valley is that where King Jehoshaphat obtained so signal a victory, and with so much ease, against the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meonians of Arabia Petræa. 2 Chron. xx. 1, 2, 3, &c. This Valley lay somewhere towards the Dead Sea, beyond the Wilderness of Tekoah; and after this event it was called the Valley of Blessing, 2 Chron. xx. 26. Others think, that the Valley of Jehoshaphat lies between the walls of Brocard.Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives, and that it is watered with the Brook Kidron, which runs through the midst of this Vale. St. Cyril of Alexandria, without farther explaining himself, says, that this Valley is but some furlongs distant from Jerusalem. Lastly, there are some who maintain, that the ancient Hebrews had no distinct knowledge of any particular place under the name of the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and Joel intended by it to shew in general the place, where God was to exercise his Judgement against the Nations, and will appear at the last Judgement with all the brightness of his Majesty. Jehoshaphat in Hebrew signifies the Judgement of God. See the Commentators upon Joel iii. 2. It is very Vet. Tirin.probable, that the Valley of Jehoshaphat, xi. 1, 2, 3, &c.symbolical, as well as the Valley of Slaughter, Vallis concisionis, spoken of in the same Prophet; and in the same Chapter. Joel iii. 14. From this passage the Jews, and many Christians, have been of opinion, that the last Judgement will be solemnized in the Valley of Jehoshaphat.

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