Mozah
Mozah is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Judea in modern-day Israel. Known today as Qalunya. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Mozah appears in Scripture solely in Joshua 18:26, where it is listed among the cities allotted to the tribe of Benjamin during the division of the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership. The passage enumerates Mozah alongside other Benjaminite settlements including Mizpah, Chephirah, and Ammoni. Though no specific narrative events are recorded at Mozah, its inclusion in Benjamin's inheritance places it within the strategically important territory between Judah and Ephraim, along the corridor connecting the coastal plain with Jerusalem. Benjamin's tribal allotment, though small in geographic extent, encompassed several significant sites and trade routes. Mozah's location on the western approach to Jerusalem meant it sat along one of the principal roads ascending to the holy city. In the broader redemptive narrative, Benjamin's territory would later include Jerusalem itself on its southern border, making the seemingly minor Benjaminite towns like Mozah part of the landscape surrounding God's chosen city.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Mozah is identified with Qalunya (also known as Colonia), located approximately 5 kilometers west-northwest of Jerusalem along the Sorek Valley road. The site preserves the ancient name through the Arabic Qalunya, itself derived from the Roman "Colonia," reflecting its designation as a Roman veteran colony. Significant archaeological discoveries include a large Neolithic site (dated around 9,000 BC) uncovered during highway construction, revealing one of the earliest known farming communities near Jerusalem. Iron Age remains at the site confirm occupation during the Israelite period consistent with the Joshua 18 reference. A temple complex from the Iron Age IIA period was discovered at nearby Tel Motza in 2012, including cultic figurines and ritual vessels, providing rare evidence of organized worship near Jerusalem.
Verse Appearances (1)
Josh
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →