Kidron
LocationsGeographical Setting
A seasonal river valley situated to the east of Jerusalem, separating the city from the Mount of Olives.
What is the meaning of Kidron in the Bible?
A fortified site identified with the Wadi el-Khalil, captured and burned by John and Judas, sons of Simon the Maccabee, during their military campaigns against Seleucid forces in the second century BCE.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this location clarifies the geographical context of the Maccabean military campaigns described in 1 Maccabees, illustrating the strategic importance of controlling the valleys surrounding Jerusalem during the struggle for Judean independence.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.