Valley of Rephaim

Jaffa–Jerusalem railway and Valley of Rephaim near Jerusalem

The Valley of Rephaim (Hebrew: עמק רפאים, Emeq Rephaim) (Joshua 15:8; Joshua 18:16, R.V.) is a valley descending southwest from Jerusalem to Nahal Sorek below, it is an ancient route from the coastal plain to the Judean Hills, probably named after the legendary race of giants. Emek Refaim (Hebrew: עמק רפאים), the German Colony in Jerusalem, takes its name from this valley.