Geographical Location:
Michmash is an ancient town located in the tribal territory of Benjamin, approximately seven miles north of Jerusalem. It is situated on a prominent ridge overlooking the deep ravine of the Wadi Suweinit, which served as a natural defense barrier. The modern-day site is identified with the village of Mukhmas.

Biblical References:
Michmash is mentioned several times in the Old Testament, primarily in the context of military events. One of the most notable occurrences is during the reign of King Saul.

1. 1 Samuel 13-14: Michmash is prominently featured in the narrative of Saul's conflict with the Philistines. The Philistines encamped at Michmash, and Saul gathered his forces at Gilgal. The situation was dire, as the Israelites were vastly outnumbered and lacked weapons. Jonathan, Saul's son, and his armor-bearer launched a surprise attack on the Philistine garrison at Michmash, leading to a significant victory for Israel. The text states, "Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, 'Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few'" (1 Samuel 14:6).

2. Isaiah 10:28: Michmash is mentioned in a prophecy concerning the Assyrian invasion. The passage describes the advance of the Assyrian army through various towns, including Michmash, as they approach Jerusalem. "They have crossed at the pass; they have taken up lodging at Geba. Ramah trembles; Gibeah of Saul flees" (Isaiah 10:29).

3. Nehemiah 11:31: After the Babylonian exile, Michmash is listed among the towns resettled by the people of Benjamin. "The descendants of Benjamin from Geba lived in Michmash, Aija, Bethel, and its villages" (Nehemiah 11:31).

Historical and Archaeological Insights:
Archaeological excavations at Michmash have revealed remains from various periods, including the Iron Age, which corresponds to the time of Saul and Jonathan. The strategic location of Michmash made it a significant military site throughout its history. The narrow pass near Michmash, known as the "pass of Michmash," played a crucial role in the battle narratives, providing a tactical advantage for Jonathan's daring assault.

Theological Significance:
Michmash serves as a backdrop for demonstrating God's deliverance and the faith of individuals like Jonathan. The account of Jonathan's victory at Michmash highlights themes of faith, courage, and divine intervention. It underscores the belief that God can achieve victory regardless of human limitations, as Jonathan's trust in the LORD led to a miraculous triumph over the Philistines.

Cultural and Literary Impact:
The account of Michmash has inspired various literary and historical works, emphasizing the themes of faith and divine providence. The narrative of Jonathan's bravery and reliance on God continues to be a powerful example of faith in action, resonating with readers and believers throughout history.Michmash

A town of Benjamin, nine miles north by east of Jerusalem, Nehemiah 7:31; 11:31. It was a strong position and lay on the north side of a deep valley; for which reasons perhaps Sennacherib, on his way to Jerusalem, left his heavy equipage there, Isaiah 10:28,29. In this deep valley, a little west of the town, are two steep hills or rocks, supposed to be the ones referred to in the account of Jonathan's achievement at "the passage of Michmash," 1 Samuel 13:23; 14:4. Dr. Robinson found here a village called Mukhmas, which appeared to be the remnant of a town of some size and importance.

Something hidden, a town 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 passage of Michmash" (1 Samuel 13:23). Immediately facing Mukhmas, on the opposite side of the ravine, is the modern representative of Geba, and behind this again are Ramah and Gibeah.

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. "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. (see SAUL.)

MICHMASH

mik'-mash (mikhmash; Machmas): A town in the territory of Benjamin, apparently not of sufficient importance to secure mention in the list of cities given in Joshua 18:21;. It first appears as occupied by Saul with 2,000 men, when Jonathan, advancing from Gibeah, smote the Philistine garrison in Geba (1 Samuel 13:2). To avenge this injury, the Philistines came up in force and pitched in Michmash (1 Samuel 13:5). Saul and Jonathan with 600 men held Geba, which had been taken from the Philistine garrison (1 Samuel 13:16). It will assist in making clear the narrative if, at this point, the natural features of the place are described.

Michmash is represented by the modern Mukhmas, about 7 miles North of Jerusalem. From the main road which runs close to the watershed, a valley sloping eastward sinks swiftly into the great gorge of Wady es-Suweinit. The village of Mukhmas stands to the North of the gorge, about 4 miles East of the carriage road. The ancient path from Ai southward passes to the West of the village, goes down into the valley by a steep and difficult track, and crosses the gorge by the pass, a narrow defile, with lofty, precipitous crags on either side-the only place where a crossing is practicable. To the South of the gorge is Geba, which had been occupied by the Philistines, doubtless to command the pass. Their camp was probably pitched in a position East of Mukhmas, where the ground slopes gradually northward from the edge of the gorge. The place is described by Josephus as "upon a precipice with three peaks, ending in a small, but sharp and long extremity, while there was a rock that surrounded them like bulwarks to prevent the attack of the enemy" (Ant., VI, vi, 2). Conder confirms this description, speaking of it as "a high hill bounded by the precipices of Wady es-Suweinit on the South, rising in three flat but narrow mounds, and communicating with the hill of Mukhmas, which is much lower, by a long and narrow ridge." The Philistines purposed to guard the pass against approach from the South. On the other hand they were not eager to risk an encounter with the badly armed Israelites in a position where superior numbers would be of little advantage. It was while the armies lay thus facing each other across the gorge that Jonathan and his armor-bearer performed their intrepid feat (1 Samuel 14:1).

See BOZEZ; SENEH.

It will be noted that the Philistines brought their chariots to Michmash (1 Samuel 13:5). In his ideal picture of the Assyrian advance on Jerusalem, Isaiah makes the invader lay up his baggage at Michmash so that he might go lightly through the pass (Isaiah 10:28). A company of the men of Michmash (see MICHMAS) returned with Zerubbabel from exile (Ezra 2:27 Nehemiah 7:31). Michmash produced excellent barley. According to the Mishna, "to bring barley to Michmash" was equivalent to our English "to carry coal to Newcastle." Michmash was the seat of government under Jonathan Maccabeus (1 Maccabees 9:73).

The modern village is stone-built. There are rock-cut tombs to the North. Cisterns supply the water. There are foundations of old buildings, large stones, and a vaulted cistern.

W. Ewing

949. Botsets -- a rock near Michmash
... 948, 949. Botsets. 950 . a rock near Michmash. Transliteration: Botsets
Phonetic Spelling: (bo-tsates') Short Definition: Bozez. ...
/hebrew/949.htm - 6k

4051. Migron -- an area near Gibeah, also a place North of ...
... Migron. 4052 . an area near Gibeah, also a place North of Michmash. Transliteration:
Migron Phonetic Spelling: (mig-rone') Short Definition: Migron. ...
/hebrew/4051.htm - 6k

4363. Mikmas -- a city in Benjamin
... Mikmas or Mikmash or Mikmash. 4364 . a city in Benjamin. Transliteration: Mikmas
or Mikmash or Mikmash Phonetic Spelling: (mik-maws') Short Definition: Michmash ...
/hebrew/4363.htm - 6k

Jonathan's Brave Deed
... Israelites. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and on the highland of
Bethel, and a thousand were with his son Jonathan in Gibeah. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/jonathans brave deed.htm

How the Philistines Made Another Expedition against the Hebrews ...
... against the Jews, with three hundred thousand footmen, and thirty thousand chariots,
and six thousand horses; and they pitched their camp at the city Michmash. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how the philistines.htm

The Prophet --His Youth and his Call.
... soil that needed deep ploughing.(101) It was, too, as Isaiah had predicted, the
main path of invasion from the North,(102) by Ai, Migron, Michmash, the Pass ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture iii the prophethis youth.htm

The Reign of Saul.
... (4) The story of Jonathan's exploits against Michmash by Saul and his escape, I
Sam.14. (5) The story of David's choice and anointing, I:Sam.16:1-13. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter x the reign of.htm

How Jonathan Took the Government after his Brother Judas; And
... Then did Jonathan take the opportunity of this quiet state of things, and went and
lived in the city Michmash; and there governed the multitude, and punished ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how jonathan took.htm

Notes
... [Compare the Raid on Michmash, or The Feud of Saul and David in the Judges
volume.]"Its interest also rests upon the bitter fable of Jotham in scorn of ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/notes.htm

The Trial of Saul.
... were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and
that the Philistines gathered themselves together to Michmash; therefore, said I ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon iii the trial of.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... It comprised some half-dozen towns"Ramah, Anathoth, Michmash, and Nob, and thus
commanded both sides of the passes leading from the Shephelah into the valley ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Michmash (10 Occurrences)
... Mukhmas. This wady is called "the passage of Michmash" (1 Samuel 13:23). ...
(see SAUL.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MICHMASH. mik ...
/m/michmash.htm - 14k

Michmas (11 Occurrences)
... MICHMAS. mik'-mas (mikhmac; Codex Vaticanus Machmas; Codex Alexandrinus Chammas):
The form of the name "Michmash" found in Ezra 2:27 Nehemiah 7:31. ...
/m/michmas.htm - 10k

Migron (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Precipice or landslip, a place between Aiath and Michmash
(Isaiah 10:28). ... The place was certainly South of Michmash. ...
/m/migron.htm - 8k

Micron
... read here instead of Gibeah-marked by a pomegranate tree, where Saul and his 600
men encamped over against the Philistines, who were in Michmash (1 Samuel 14:2 ...
/m/micron.htm - 7k

Geba (22 Occurrences)
... From 1 Samuel 14:5 we gather that Geba stood to the South of the great gorge,
Wady Suweinit, commanding the pass at Michmash. This ...
/g/geba.htm - 17k

Forefront (11 Occurrences)
... tooth" (1 Samuel 14:5, "The forefront (The King James Version, margin "Hebrew tooth")
of the one was situated northward over against Michmash," the Revised ...
/f/forefront.htm - 11k

Beth-aven (6 Occurrences)
... Baithaun): A place on the northern boundary of the territory of Benjamin (Joshua
18:12) East of Bethel, near Ai (Joshua 7:2), West of Michmash (1 Samuel 13:5 ...
/b/beth-aven.htm - 9k

Bethaven (6 Occurrences)
... Baithaun): A place on the northern boundary of the territory of Benjamin (Joshua
18:12) East of Bethel, near Ai (Joshua 7:2), West of Michmash (1 Samuel 13:5 ...
/b/bethaven.htm - 9k

Warfare (18 Occurrences)
... battle of Ebenezer the ark was taken into the fight with disastrous results to Israel
(1 Samuel 4:4). On the other hand at the battle of Michmash, the sacred ...
/w/warfare.htm - 34k

Gibeath-benjamin (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 13:2 Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel, whereof two thousand
were with Saul in Michmash and in the mount of Beth-el, and a thousand were ...
/g/gibeath-benjamin.htm - 7k

Why were the Philistines and the Israelites always at war? | GotQuestions.org

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