The Kidron Valley (Wadi en-Nar) has always been the eastern boundary of Jerusalem, due to its considerable depth and steep banks, which create a difficult topographical barrier. Close to the bed of the valley flows the Gihon Spring - the only perennial source of water in the vicinity of Jerusalem. Monumental tombs of wealthy Jerusalemites from the First and Second Temple periods were cut in the hard limestone, which is difficult to work but resistant to the weathering of time.

Three magnificent tombs are situated along the east bank of the Kidron Valley, at the foot of the Mount of Olives, between Gethsemane and the Gihon Spring; they belonged to affluent Jewish families of the late Second Temple period (first century BCE and first century CE). The tombs were hewn with their entrances and façades facing the Temple Mount. The location of these tombs and their prominence in the landscape attracted popular Jewish traditions, formed in the Middle Ages and the early modern era, which associated them with biblical figures. The most impressive and complete of these tombs is Absalom's Tomb with the Cave of Jehoshaphat. Next to it is the Tomb of Bnei Hezir and farther south - the Tomb of Zechariah.