Michmash
The Arabvillage of Mukhmas, on the border of the Judean Hills and the Judean Desert, 6 miles northeast of Jerusalem, is built on the remains of what is believed to be the site of the ancient Biblical city of Michmash. The old building stones have been re-used in the present village houses.
Shards indicate occupation in the Iron Age, as well as in the Roman and Byzantine Periods.
History: During the Israelite conquest Michmash was included in the tribal allotment of Benjamin.
“He has come to Aiath, he has passed to Migron; at Michmash he has stored his supplies” (Isaiah 10:28)
The Philistines camped at Michmash while Saul and his army camped at Geba, before one of the decisive battles between the two armies.
“And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and encamped in Michmash, eastward from Beth-aven”. (I Samuel 13:5).
Jonathan, son of Saul, and his men surprised the Philistines after having januvia-sitagliptin.net traversed the Michmash pass and attacked their camp.
“On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez, and the other Seneh. One cliff stood to the north toward Micmash, the other to the south toward Geba.” (I Samuel 14:4-5)
After the Babylonian Exile many Benjaminites returned to Michmash (Ezra 2:27).
Jonathan the Hasmonean settled in Michmash after he defeated Bacchides.
“Thus the sword ceased from Israel: but Jonathan dwelt at Machmas, and began to govern the people; and he destroyed the ungodly men out of Israel.” (I Maccabees 9:73)
During Roman Period Michmash was known for its superior wheat. Mentioned as a large village in the Onomasticon of Eusebius:
“There is now a large village in the region of Jerusalem called Machamas (retaining the old name) at the ninth mile near hamlet of Rama”.
During World War I Turkish forces fortified themselves here until they retreated under pressure from the British.
