The Tomb of Benei Hezir is a Second Temple period burial site in Jerusalem's Kidron Valley, belonging to an influential priestly family. Dating to the 2nd century BCE, it features a distinctive rock-cut facade with Doric columns and a Hebrew inscription identifying the family. The tomb served multiple generations of priests who officiated in the Jerusalem Temple.
The Tomb of Benei Hezir represents one of Jerusalem’s most significant archaeological treasures from the Second Temple period. Located in the Kidron Valley, this monumental burial complex belonged to a prominent priestly family who served in the Temple and left behind the oldest known Hebrew funerary inscription in the region. Archaeological evidence places the tomb’s construction in the second century BCE, making it the earliest of the valley’s famous rock-cut tombs.
Location
The Tomb of Benei Hezir occupies a prominent position in the Kidron Valley, directly facing the Temple Mount’s eastern wall. This strategic location, approximately 100 meters southeast of the Temple Mount, demonstrates the family’s elevated status in ancient Jerusalem society. The tomb sits adjacent to the distinctive Tomb of Zechariah and within view of the Tomb of Absalom.
Biblical context
The name Hezir in the Bible
The name Hezir appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, establishing the family’s ancient religious credentials. In 1 Chronicles 24:15, one Hezir founded the seventeenth priestly division during King David’s organization of Temple service: “The seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez.” This biblical reference demonstrates the family’s formal role in Temple worship dating back to the First Temple period. Another Hezir appears among the leaders who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah in the post-exilic period, as recorded in Nehemiah 10:20, showing the family’s continued religious leadership across centuries.
Who were the Benei Hezir?
The Benei Hezir family maintained their priestly status through multiple generations during the turbulent Hellenistic period. The Hebrew inscription carved into their tomb reveals specific family members across at least two generations, indicating their wealth and social position allowed them to commission this elaborate burial complex. Archaeological analysis suggests they were among Jerusalem’s wealthiest families, with resources sufficient to quarry and decorate their monumental tomb in the expensive Doric architectural style. Their association with the Second Temple placed them at the center of Jewish religious life during the Hasmonean monarchy, when political independence and religious revival intersected in ancient Israel.
Priestly Divisions in Ancient Israel
The priestly divisions, known as mishmarot in Hebrew, organized Temple service into a systematic rotation that functioned throughout the Second Temple period. These twenty-four divisions descended from Aaron’s surviving sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, after their brothers Nadab and Abihu died before having descendants.
Organization and Temple Service: King David established this system by appointing Zadok from Eleazar’s line and Ahimelech from Ithamar’s descendants to organize the priestly families. Sixteen divisions came from Eleazar’s more numerous descendants, while eight emerged from Ithamar’s line. Each division served for one week twice yearly, plus during the three major pilgrimage festivals when all twenty-four divisions participated simultaneously in Temple rituals.
Duties and Responsibilities: Each priestly division managed daily sacrificial offerings, maintained Temple rituals, and delivered the Priestly Blessing to assembled worshippers. The divisions rotated according to a carefully maintained schedule that ensured continuous Temple service throughout the year. This system maintained religious continuity and prevented any single priestly family from monopolizing Temple authority.
Post-Temple Legacy: Following the Temple’s destruction in 70 CE, many priestly families relocated to Galilee where they maintained their divisional organization for several centuries. Historical records indicate they preserved their rotational system in anticipation of the Temple’s eventual reconstruction, demonstrating the profound importance of these ancient arrangements in Jewish religious life.
Architecture of the Tomb of Benei Hezir
The Tomb of Benei Hezir demonstrates sophisticated Hellenistic architectural techniques adapted for Jewish burial customs. Carved directly from the Kidron Valley’s limestone bedrock, this complex tomb predates its famous neighbors and showcases the technical skill of Jerusalem’s Second Temple period stonemasons.
Façade and Classical Elements: The tomb’s façade features two Doric columns positioned between matching pilasters. These columns support an undecorated architrave bearing the tomb’s Hebrew inscription, the earliest such funerary inscription discovered in the Jerusalem region. The architectural style reflects strong Hellenistic influence while maintaining Jewish burial traditions, demonstrating the cultural synthesis characteristic of the Hasmonean period.
Construction and Access: Original access required descending a rock-cut stairwell from the north, indicating the tomb’s builders planned for ceremonial visits by family members and mourners. Later modifications included a tunnel connection to the adjacent Tomb of Zechariah, which now serves as the primary entrance. This secondary access suggests ongoing use and maintenance of the burial complex across multiple generations.
The Sacred Inscription: The Hebrew inscription identifies specific family members: “This is the grave and the nefesh of Eliezer, Hanya, Yoazar, Yehuda, Shimon, Yochanan sons of Yosef son of Oved, Yosef and Elazar sons of Hania, kohanim of the Hezir family.” The mention of a nefesh (soul monument) suggests the adjacent Tomb of Zechariah may have served as the commemorative monument for this priestly family, a theory supported by Israel Antiquities Authority excavations analysis of both structures’ construction periods and architectural relationship.
Dating and Historical Context: Carbon dating and architectural analysis place the tomb’s construction in the second century BCE during the Hasmonean kingdom. For approximately 100 years, this remained the only monumental tomb facing the Temple Mount, emphasizing the Benei Hezir family’s exceptional status in Jerusalem’s religious hierarchy during this pivotal period of Jewish independence.
Practical Information
The Tomb of Benei Hezir is accessible 24 hours daily as part of the Kidron Valley archaeological area. No admission fee is required for exterior viewing, though entering the tomb interior requires coordination with local archaeological authorities.
Additional Information
- Biblical Period: Division of priests into 24 shifts/divisions is established, based on the descendants of Aaron’s sons, Eleazar and Ithamar. This division and the order of shifts are recorded in front of King David and other dignitaries. The family of Hezir is listed as the seventeenth priestly division.
- 2nd Century BCE (specifically the second half): The Benei Hezir tomb in the Kidron Valley is carved. Its architectural style is Doric, reflecting the Hellenistic period and the Hasmonean monarchy era. This tomb is initially accessed via a rock-cut stairwell from the north. For approximately 100 years, the Benei Hezir tomb is the only tomb in front of the Temple Mount, indicating the family’s high status.
- Second Temple Period (from the Hasmonean period until 70 CE): The Benei Hezir family continues to use their tomb. The inscription on the tomb reveals its use across multiple generations of the priestly family.
- Later Period (after the initial carving of the tomb): An additional entrance to the Benei Hezir tomb is created by quarrying a tunnel from the courtyard of the monument known as the Tomb of Zechariah.
- 1837?: Augustine Aubert creates a drawing highlighting the Benei Hezir tomb, with the Tomb of Zechariah and Tomb of Absalom nearby.
- 1864: The inscription on the Benei Hezir tomb is first made known to scientific research by French researcher de Saulcy.
- 19th Century: Westerners still identify the Benei Hezir tomb monument with the tomb of St. James the Apostle. According to tradition, James hid in the tomb from the Romans and was buried there in 62 CE.
What makes the Tomb of Benei Hezir unique among Jerusalem’s ancient tombs?
The Tomb of Benei Hezir is the oldest monumental rock-cut tomb in the Kidron Valley, dating to the second century BCE. It contains the earliest known Hebrew funerary inscription in the Jerusalem area and remained the only elaborate tomb facing the Temple Mount for nearly a century after its construction, indicating the exceptional status of this priestly family.
Can visitors enter the Tomb of Benei Hezir?
While the tomb’s exterior façade and inscription are freely accessible for viewing in the Kidron Valley, interior access requires special permission from archaeological authorities. Most visitors appreciate the architectural details and historical significance from the exterior courtyard area.
Who were the Benei Hezir family mentioned in the tomb?
The Benei Hezir were descendants of a priestly family dating back to King David’s organization of Temple service. The tomb’s inscription names specific family members including Eliezer, Yoazar, Yehuda, and others, identifying them as kohanim (priests) of the Hezir family who served in the Second Temple during the Hasmonean period.
What is the connection between this tomb and biblical history?
The Hezir family traced their lineage to the seventeenth priestly division established during King David’s reign, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 24:15. Another Hezir appears in Nehemiah 10:20 among leaders who sealed the covenant, showing the family’s continuous religious leadership across centuries of biblical history.
What happened to the priestly divisions after the Temple’s destruction?
Following the Temple’s destruction in 70 CE, many priestly families including descendants of the various divisions relocated to the Galilee region. They maintained their organizational structure for several centuries, preserving the ancient system in anticipation of the Temple’s eventual reconstruction.
Sources and additional reading
Nearby Sites
Tomb of Absalom: An iconic ancient monument in the Kidron Valley, traditionally ascribed to Absalom, the rebellious son of King David. Its unique design combines a conical roof atop a square structure.
Tomb of the Virgin Mary: Located at the foot of Mount of Olives in the Kidron Valley, it’s a revered Christian site believed by many to be the burial place of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Kidron Valley: A significant biblical site, this valley separates the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. It has been a burial place since ancient times, housing numerous historic tombs.
The Church of All Nations: Also known as the Basilica of the Agony, this church, built by architect Antonio Barluzzi, is situated next to the Garden of Gethsemane. It commemorates the spot where Jesus is believed to have prayed before his arrest.
