The Valley of Sorek
נַחַל שֹׂרֵק
Where is the Valley of Sorek? Nahal Sorek, from the Jerusalem hills to Palmachim. I mark it very likely.
Samson grew up on the ridges above this valley and kept going down into it, first to Timnah and finally to Delilah.
By Aaron Shaffier, licensed Israel tour guide and mapmaker · About the mapmaker
- Site today
- Nahal Sorek, from the Jerusalem hills to Palmachim
- How sure
- Very likely Strong evidence, with no serious rival.
- Other names
- Sorek Valley, Nahal Sorek, Wadi es-Sarar
- Location
- 31.7527° N, 35.0639° E (Google Maps)
How we know where it was
The Bible names the Nahal Sorek only once, as Delilah's home. So the case rests on the towns around it. Samson's whole world lies along this valley: Tzorah, Eshtaol, Timnah and Beth-shemesh.
The name helps. Eusebius mentions a village called Kefar Sorek in this area, and its ruin, Khirbet Surik, still stands near Tzorah. The Arabic Wadi es-Sarar may also echo the old name.
Sorek means a choice red grape. It is a fitting name for a valley of vineyards, and a hard place for a Nazirite to grow up.
The same valley carried the Ark home. The Philistines set it on a cart, and the cows walked it straight up the road to Beth-shemesh.
Visiting today
The railway from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv runs through the valley, and Tel Tzora and Tel Beth-shemesh look down on it.
Read it in the Bible
Verse numbers follow the Hebrew Bible. In a handful of chapters English Bibles count one verse off.
See Sorek on the interactive map →
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Get the print + free ebookNearby places
- Timnah right beside it
- Nephtoah right beside it
- Mozah (Motza) right beside it
- Gibeon right beside it
- Beth Shemesh right beside it
- Zorah (Tzorah) 2 km