Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
III. Physical Features. — Surface. — The city stands upon a tongue of land which is separated from the surrounding country on all sides save the north by deep ravines. On the east is the Valley of the Kedron, called also the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and on the west and south the Valley of Hinnom. These depressions, which begin near together in the north, unite at Joab's Well, half a mile, south of the city wall, and pass off eastward toward the Dead Sea. A third valley, called the Tyropoeon, or the Valley of the Cheesemongers, falls into the Kedron Valley at the Pool of Siloam.
There has been much discussion as to whether the Tyropoeon Valley extended to the Jaffa or to the Damascus-gate. Dr. Robinson favors the former opinion, and the British Survey the latter. The matter is important, because the position of various other places is decided by that of the Tyropoeon. The view of the British Survey, here followed, is the latest and most scientific, and therefore the most likely to be correct.
By the Tyropoeon the tongue of land was divided into two parallel ridges, of which the eastern was Mount Moriah (the site of the temple), and the western Mount Zion (the site of David's house and later of Herod's palace), which was 110 feet higher than Moriah, and constituted the "upper city" of Josephus. North of Zion was the Akra, the "lower city" of Josephus. North of Moriah was the hill Bezetha, and south of it the hill Ophel. "The mountains round about Jerusalem" approach near enough to the city to receive our notice only upon one side.
Across the valley of the Kedron, upon the north-east, is the hill Scopus, from which Titus looked down upon the devoted capital of the Jews. South of Scopus and directly east of the city is the long ridge of the Mount of Olives, having three principal summits, of which the central one is designated as the Mount of the Ascension. Still farther to the south is the Mount of Offence, so called from its being the seat of Solomon's idol-worship.
Across the Valley of Hinnom and directly south of Mount Zion is the Hill of Evil Counsel, where Judas is reputed to have bargained for the betrayal of our Lord. --Jerusalem covers four or five hill-summits. Within the city walls, on the south-east, is Mount Moriah, the site of the temple, now covered by the Haram enclosure or square, within which is the Mosque of Omar. West and south-west of this is Mount Zion, a portion of which is without the city wall. Directly south of Moriah is the hill Ophel, also without the wall.
North of Mount Moriah is Bezetha, or the "new city," and west of Bezetha, in the north-west part of the city is Akra. ) East side of the city is the Kedron, or Valley of Jehoshaphat. South of Mount Zion is the Valley of Hinnom, which extends around on the west side of the city. The valleys of Hinnom and the Kedron unite south of the city. Between Ophel and Mount Zion is the Tyropoeon Valley. North of the city is Scopus, east of it the Mount of Olives, and on the south the Hill of Evil Counsel. Mount of Offence is 4731 feet, and from the last point to the Hill of Evil Counsel, 3772 feet.
From Jerusalem to the summit of Olivet, which is approached by three paths, the mean distance is about half a mile. Elevations.
— The elevation of various points above the Mediterranean, as given by the British Survey, is as follows: Mount Scopus, 2715 feet; Viri Galilaei, 2682 feet; Mount of Olives, 2665 feet; Mount of Offence, 2409 feet; Hill of Evil Counsel, 2552 feet; Mount Moriah, 2440 feet; Mount Zion, 2550 feet; Castle of Goliath (highest point within the city), 2581 feet; Valley of the Kedron, 2190 feet; the general level of the city, 2610 feet; the hill Ophel, at the triple gate, was 300 feet above the Pool of Siloam. The topography of Jerusalem will be more fully treated toward the close of this article.
Climate. — The rainy season extends from October to March. Snow sometimes falls to the depth of a foot or more, and the pools are covered with a thin coating of ice; but the ground never freezes, and many winters pass without any signs of either snow or ice. The natives build no fires merely for warming themselves. During the summer, rain is almost unknown. m. m. , 1863, to Feb. , 1864. The range of the thermometer was from 25°, Jan. 5. Dr. Barclay says that nearly every species of vegetable in common use in the United States has been successfully cultivated in the vicinity of Jerusalem.
Oranges, limes, and lemons are to be had in the greatest profusion and perfection almost the entire year round. The oranges of Jerusalem mostly come from Jaffa, where they are grown in great abundance.