Michmash(michmas)
“Hidden place”
Summary
Michmash was a town in Benjamin about seven miles north of Jerusalem, famous as the site of Jonathan's daring attack on the Philistine garrison and as a strategic pass between the highlands and the Jordan valley.
☩Location and Geography
Michmash (modern Mukhmas) stands about seven miles north of Jerusalem on the northern edge of the Wady Suweinit, a deep gorge that forms the main pass between the central highlands and the Jordan valley at Jericho. The pass is a narrow defile with lofty, precipitous crags on either side—the only place where crossing is practicable. The positions known as Bozez and Seneh flanked this passage. Michmash produced excellent barley, such that 'to bring barley to Michmash' was proverbial for redundancy.
☩Jonathan's Victory
When the Philistines occupied Michmash in force with chariots and troops, Saul and his small army held Geba across the gorge. Jonathan and his armor-bearer climbed up the precipitous rocks to attack the Philistine outpost. The ensuing panic spread through the entire camp, and Israel pursued the routed Philistines from Michmash westward to Aijalon. The terrain perfectly suited Jonathan's strategy—the Philistines' numerical advantage was nullified in the narrow pass.
☩Later History
Isaiah's prophecy depicting an Assyrian advance on Jerusalem from the north has the invader laying up his baggage at Michmash to pass lightly through the treacherous gorge. After the exile, men of Michmash returned from Babylon and resettled there. In the Maccabean period, Jonathan Maccabeus made Michmash his seat of government.
Related Verses11 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Michmash," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Michmash," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).