Mareshah
“Crest of a hill or inheritance”
Summary
Mareshah was a fortified city in the lowlands of Judah where King Asa defeated the Ethiopian army of Zerah, and the birthplace of the prophet Eliezer who denounced Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahaziah.
☩Location and History
Mareshah was a town in the Shephelah (lowland) of Judah, listed with Keilah and Achzib in the tribal allotments. Its strategic position led Rehoboam to fortify it for the defense of Jerusalem after the division of the kingdom. The site is identified with Tell Sandachannah, about a mile south of Beit Jibrin (ancient Eleutheropolis), where remarkable ancient tombs have been discovered.
☩Asa's Victory Over Zerah
In the valley of Zephathah near Mareshah, King Asa of Judah encountered Zerah the Ethiopian with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots. Asa cried out to the Lord, saying, 'It is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power.' God struck down the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah, and they were destroyed and pursued as far as Gerar.
☩The Prophet Eliezer
Mareshah was the home of Eliezer son of Dodavah, who prophesied against King Jehoshaphat for his alliance with the wicked King Ahaziah of Israel in building ships at Ezion-geber. Because of this alliance, Eliezer declared that God would destroy their works—and the ships were indeed broken and unable to sail. The prophet Micah also addressed Mareshah in his prophecy, playing on the name's meaning: 'I will bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah.'
☩Genealogical References
In Judah's genealogies, Mareshah appears as a 'son' of Shammai and 'father' of Hebron, indicating he was the founder of the city. Another Mareshah is mentioned as descended from Shelah through Laadah, possibly the same individual or a later descendant associated with the city.
Related Verses8 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Mareshah," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Mareshah," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Mareshah," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).