Ramat Rachel

Ramat Rachel is a 6-acre [2.4 ha.] site that is located 2.5 mi. [4 km.] south of Jerusalem—half way to Bethlehem. It is a prominent site from which one can view Jerusalem to the north and Bethlehem to the south—along with the Valley of Rephaim to the west and the Wilderness of Judah to the east.

During the days of the late Judean monarchy a large palace was constructed, and reconstructed, there—possibly by the Judean king Hezekiah, and then by Jehoiakim. Its ancient name is not known, but Aharoni suggested that it might be Beth-haccerem and the palace that Jehoiakim built (Jer 6:1; 22:13–19).

For recent information on the site see Gabriel Barkay’s “Royal Palace, Royal Portrait? The Tantalizing Possibilities of Ramat Rahel.” Biblical Archaeological Review 32, no. 5 (September/October, 2006): 34–44.