What is…
Michmash
also known as: Michmas
Hebrew: מִכְמָס or מִכְמָשׂ —meaning: something hidden; concealed place
This is an ancient Israelite town located northeast of Jerusalem in the tribe of Benjamin (Ezra 2:27), east of Bethel and south of Migron, on the road to Jerusalem (Isaiah 10:28).
It lay on the line of march of an invading army from the north, on the north side of the steep and precipitous Wady es-Suweinit (“valley of the little thorn-tree” or “the acacia”), and now bears the name of Mukhmas. This wady is called “the pass of Michmash” in the book of 1st Samuel.
The village of Mukhmas is in Israel’s West Bank. The nearby Israeli settlement Ma'ale Mikhmas (founded 1981) is also named after the ancient biblical town.
“And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.” —1 Samuel 13:23 LSB
Battle of Michmash
This was the scene of a great battle fought between the army of Saul and the Philistines, who were utterly routed and pursued for some 16 miles towards Philistia as far as the valley of Aijalon.
This battle is recorded in 1 Samuel 14.
“The freedom of Benjamin secured at Michmash led through long years of conflict to the freedom of all its kindred tribes.”
The power of Benjamin and its king now steadily increased. A new spirit and a new hope were now at work in Israel.
More information
- Who is King Saul?
- Who and what is Tribe of Benjamin?
- About the Tribes of Israel
What are the CITIES OF THE BIBLE? Names, descriptions, locations and types- Ramah (Rama)
- Who are the Philistines?
- About armies in the Bible
- About war in the Bible