The Valley of Achor: A Door of Hope

[Hosea 2:15] “There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.”

[Isaiah 65:10] “Sharon shall become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, for my people who seek me.”

The “Valley of Achor” is a small valley located near the city of Jericho, in the middle section of Wadi Makkuk. It is a dry riverbed that runs through the Gilgal region. Its name means “trouble” or “disaster.” After Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan, Achan from the tribe of Judah defied the LORD’s will by secretly keeping plunder from Jericho. This led to a devastating defeat for the Israelites when they attacked Ai. Achan’s sin was discovered, and he was executed in this valley, giving the valley its name. When the Israelites divided the land, this valley marked the northern boundary of Judah’s territory.

Both the prophets Isaiah and Hosea prophesied that one day, this valley of death and desolation would transform into “a resting place for herds” and a “door of hope.” In the future, the entire Promised Land will be restored to “the pleasant land that we desire” (Joshua 7:20-26; 15:7; Isaiah 65:10; Hosea 2:15). Its ancient site is identified with modern-day Abu Quwayq.