Michmash
Michmash is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Judea in modern-day Israel. Known today as Mukhmas. It appears across 11 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Michmash holds a prominent place in Israel's military history, most notably as the site of Jonathan's daring raid against the Philistine garrison during the early reign of King Saul. In 1 Samuel 13, the Philistines assembled a massive force at Michmash while Saul waited at Gilgal with a dwindling army. The Philistines established their camp and sent out raiding parties to terrorize the surrounding region. In 1 Samuel 14, Jonathan and his armor-bearer climbed through the rocky pass between two crags, Bozez and Seneh, and attacked the Philistine outpost, killing about twenty men. God sent an earthquake that threw the Philistine camp into panic, leading to a great Israelite victory. Earlier, in 1 Samuel 13:2, Saul had stationed troops at Michmash under Jonathan's command. In Ezra 2:27 and Nehemiah 7:31, men of Michmash are listed among those returning from Babylonian exile, and Nehemiah 11:31 records resettlement there. Isaiah 10:28 mentions Michmash in a vivid prophecy describing the Assyrian advance toward Jerusalem, noting that the invader stores his baggage at Michmash before pressing on.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Michmash is confidently identified with the modern Palestinian village of Mukhmas, located approximately 11 kilometers northeast of Jerusalem in the rugged hill country of Benjamin. The site preserves the ancient name and matches the biblical topography, including the narrow wadi (Wadi Suweinit) with its rocky crags corresponding to Bozez and Seneh described in 1 Samuel 14. British forces under General Allenby famously used Jonathan's tactical approach through the pass during World War I in 1918. Surface surveys have identified Iron Age pottery at the site. The dramatic terrain of the pass remains visible today, confirming the biblical account's geographic accuracy.
Verse Appearances (11)
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →