Makaz
Makaz is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Judea in modern-day Israel. Known today as Deir Muheisin. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Makaz appears solely in 1 Kings 4:9, where it is listed as part of the second administrative district established by King Solomon. The text records that Ben-deker was the officer responsible for this district, which included Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth-shemesh, and Elon-beth-hanan. Solomon's division of the kingdom into twelve administrative districts represented a sophisticated reorganization of Israel's governance, designed to supply the royal court with provisions on a monthly rotation (1 Kings 4:7). Makaz's inclusion in a district with Beth-shemesh and Shaalbim places it in the Shephelah and Aijalon Valley region, a strategically important zone that controlled access routes between the coastal plain and the Judean highlands. This district lay in territory historically contested between Israel and the Philistines, and its formal incorporation into Solomon's administrative system reflects the peace and territorial consolidation achieved during his reign. The efficient governance of towns like Makaz enabled the prosperity and building projects that characterized Solomon's golden age, though the heavy taxation these districts bore eventually contributed to the kingdom's division after his death.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Makaz has been tentatively identified with Khirbet el-Muqanna or with Deir Muheisin, located in the Shephelah lowlands of Judah. The identification remains uncertain, as the ancient name has not been preserved in any modern toponym with confidence. The site of Deir Muheisin lies in the foothills between the coastal plain and the highlands, consistent with the biblical placement alongside Beth-shemesh and Shaalbim. The Shephelah region has been one of the most thoroughly surveyed areas in Israeli archaeology, with numerous Iron Age II sites documented that correspond to Solomon's era. No excavation specifically targeting Makaz has been conducted. The surrounding region preserves extensive remains of the fortified towns and agricultural installations that characterized the Israelite monarchy.
Verse Appearances (1)
1Kgs
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →