Valley of Elah

Elah is the name of a valley in the historic kingdom of Judah in Israel, between Azekah and Sokho. It is also called the valley of the terebinth (Hebrew עמק האלה Emek HaElah, Arabic Wadi es- Sunt ). After 1 Sam 17,2.19 EU, the Israelites camped there when David fought Goliath.

On the western side of the valley is close Sokho a 17 meter high oak with a large crown of 22 meters. This representative of a " biblical" tree marks the upper end of the valley and is known as an impressive marker.

Excavations

During archaeological excavations in the Valley of Elah, a tonscherbiges Ostracon were uncovered the oldest known Hebrew inscription from ink near the Elah Fortress. The age of the piece of pottery is dated to around 1000 BC Davidic time.

Popular culture

In the Valley of Elah is the title of a movie from director Paul Haggis from the year 2007.