The word Jehoshaphat (Yehoshafat in Hebrew) means ‘God shall judge’, and this narrow furrow of land located between the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives is where it is said that the events of Judgment Day will take place. The Book of Joel describes how all nations will be gathered here and the ‘heathens’ (non-believers) will be judged. At the southern end is a series of tombs dating from the Second Temple period.
The northernmost tomb is that of Jehoshaphat . It's a 1st-century burial cave notable for the impressive frieze above its entrance. Just in front of it is Absalom’s Pillar , the legendary tomb of David’s son (II Samuel 18:17). Just beyond Absalom’s Pillar is the Grotto of St James , where St James is believed to have hidden when Jesus was arrested nearby. Next to the grotto, carved out of the rock, is the Tomb of Zechariah , where Jewish tradition believes the prophet Zechariah is buried (II Chronicles 24:25).
Despite their names, the tombs most likely belong to wealthy noblemen of the Second Temple period. The Grotto of St James is believed to be the burial place of the Bnei Hezirs, a family of Jewish priests.
