A vast fertile valley running north-west to south-east from the Mediterranean coast to the Jordan Valley just south of the Galilees.
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Two features of the valley made it desirable and, therefore, the object of political control. First, its dark alluvial soil made it one of the most fertile regions in the land. Here, possibly, we find the source for the name of the town—located at the eastern end of the valley—after which the valley was named; "Jezreel" means "God sows." Here too was located Naboth's vineyard that Ahad wanted and that Jezebel got him by murder when Naboth refused to surrender his inheritance (1 Ki 21).
Valley of Jezreel viewed from Megiddo
Second, it is the only level passage between the coast and the Jordan Valley and beyond. Whoever controlled it controls, in fact, the political shape of the entire land. Especially in the early years of Israel's existence in the land, occupation of this land by her enemies would mean that all the northern tribes would be isolated from the main body of the nation and could then be starved out of existence. This explains why it has been the site of most of the important battles Israel had to fight with her neighbours: Deborah against Jabin and Sisera (judg 4), Gideon against the Midianites, Amalekites and all the eastern peoples" (Judg 6), Saul against the Philistines (1 Sam 29), Josiah against Pharaoh Neco (2 Ki 23). Here too are located many important towns to guard the valley; Megiddo, Jokneam, Taanach, and Ibleam.
The valley and its environ was also the stage upon which most of Elijah's ministry was played out (1 Ki 18ff).
In older literature, the Jezreel Valley is also called by its Greek name, Esdraelon, though the name properly applies only to the western part of it, sometimes called the Megiddo plains.
©ALBERITH