Michmash

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Michmash - "something hidden", a town of Benjamin (Ezra 2:27), east of Bethel and south of Migron, on the road to Jerusalem (Isa. 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. The town is known by its connection with the Philistine war of Saul and Jonathan. In the invasion of Sennacherib in the reign of Hezekiah, it is mentioned by Isaiah. (Isa 10:28) After the captivity the man of the place returned. (Ezr 2:27; Ne 7;31) At a later date it became the residence of Jonathan Maccabaeus and the seat of his government.