A new study challenges long-held beliefs about the biblical Valley of Rephaim, offering a fresh perspective on its location and historical meaning. Researcher Sabine Kleiman suggests the valley may lie east of the Elah Valley, closer to the ancient Philistine city of Gath, rather than near Jerusalem as traditionally thought.
Kleiman’s findings, published in the Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament, revisit old maps, historical records, and biblical references.
She argues that earlier research left room for doubt and that geography and historical clues point to a different setting that links the valley more closely to the lowlands and Philistine territory.
Battlefield tied to Philistine power
The Valley of Rephaim plays a role in biblical stories, especially in 2 Samuel and Chronicles, where it is the site of battles between David and the Philistines.
Kleiman believes these accounts reflect the strong political presence of Gath in the region during the 10th and 9th centuries BCE. According to her, Gath remained a dominant force until its destruction by the Arameans in the second half of the 9th century BCE.
Kleiman also questions the common belief that the valley’s name refers to mythical giants. While later traditions portrayed the Rephaim as fearsome beings, Kleiman points out that figures described in 2 Samuel 21 appear more like elite warriors – skilled fighters with remarkable abilities – not supernatural giants.
Rephaim Valley not in Jerusalem
In her analysis, Kleiman draws attention to the powerful Rapha family of Gath. She suggests the valley may have been named after this influential group, known in biblical texts as the “sons of Rapha.”
Inscriptions found in the region support the idea that the name Rephaim could be linked to this family rather than legends.
One key focus of Kleiman’s study is the location of Baal-Perazim, a site tied to David’s victories. She supports a 19th-century proposal by explorer Claude Conder, who placed Baal-Perazim near the spring called ‘Ain Fâris, west of the modern town of Nahalin.
This spot, she notes, lies along Naḥal ‘Eẕyona – a natural continuation of the Elah Valley that connects the lowlands to the Hill Country.
Geography supports the link to Gath
Kleiman argues that this route strengthens the idea of a geographic link between the valley and Gath’s area of influence. For her, the evidence suggests that the Valley of Rephaim was not just a battlefield but also a region shaped by the political and cultural power of Gath.
By re-examining familiar stories and geography, Kleiman offers a new view of the valley—one rooted not in myth, but in historical and regional context.