DECISION, VALLEY OF (עֵ֖מֶק הֶֽחָר֑וּץ, valley of strict decision or judgment). In Joel 3:14 this expression refers to the valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:2, 12). The latter in turn seems to be a symbolical name of a valley near Jerusalem which is to be the place of God’s ultimate judgment on the nations gathered to attack Jerusalem. Significantly, Jehoshaphat had witnessed one of the Lord’s historical victories over the nations (2 Chron 20). The valley has been traditionally identified with the Kidron, but the location remains a problem. Perhaps the solution is contained in Zechariah 14:4, which indicates that when the Lord returns to the Mount of Olives a great valley will be opened. Since Jehoshaphat’s name means “The Lord judges,” possibly this newly opened valley is so named because of the Lord’s judgment there.