Lexical Summary Mikmas or Mikmash or Mikmash: Mikmas or Mikmash Original Word: מִכְמָס Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Mikmas, Mikmash (Ezra 2:2 or Mikmash {mik-mawsh'}; or Mikmash (Neh. 11:31) {mik-mash'}; from kamac; hidden; Mikmas or Mikmash, a place in Palestine -- Mikmas, Mikmash. see HEBREW kamac NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kamas Definition a city in Benjamin NASB Translation Michmas (2), Michmash (9). Brown-Driver-Briggs מִכְמָס proper name, of a location Ezra 2:27 = Nehemiah 7:31; = מִכְמָשׂ (see Baer's notes) 1 Samuel 13:2 6t. 1Samuel, + 2t.; — city in Benjamin, north from Geba and Jerusalem 1 Samuel 13:2,5 (east from Bethaven), 1 Samuel 13:11; 1 Samuel 13:16; 1 Samuel 13:23; 1 Samuel 14:5,31; Isaiah 10:28; Nehemiah 11:31; ׳אַנְשֵׁי מּ Ezra 2:27 = Nehemiah 7:31. ᵐ5 Μαχ(ε)μας, etc. (On Mikm¹s see RobBR i. 440 ff. BuhlGeogr. § 96.) Topical Lexicon Name and Location Mikmash (also spelled Michmash) is a town situated in the mountainous region of Benjamin, roughly seven miles (about eleven kilometers) north-northeast of Jerusalem and overlooking the deep gorge of the Wadi es-Suwaynit. Its position on a strategic ridge between steep wadis made it a natural military stronghold in Old Testament times. Biblical Narrative in the Reign of Saul (1 Samuel 13–14) 1 Samuel records Mikmash at the center of Israel’s first protracted conflict with the Philistines. Saul stationed two thousand men “in Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel” (1 Samuel 13:2), while Jonathan held Gibeah. The Philistines responded with a massive force and “encamped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven” (13:5). Saul’s reluctance to wait for Samuel led to his unlawful sacrifice “at Gilgal,” yet the battlefield tension focused on Mikmash (13:11). The standoff left Israel weaponless, for “there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel” (13:19), a detail that heightens the drama of Jonathan’s later actions. Military Significance and Jonathan’s Exploit The pass between “the cliffs of Bozez and Seneh” (1 Samuel 14:5) guarded the approach to Mikmash. Jonathan and his armor-bearer scaled this treacherous defile, surprised the Philistine garrison, and triggered a rout that extended as far as Aijalon (14:31). The narrative underscores God’s deliverance through human faith and initiative: “Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few” (14:6). Prophetic Reference (Isaiah 10:28) Isaiah’s oracle against Assyria lists Mikmash among the Benjamite settlements along the invaders’ march: “They pass through the pass; they lodge at Geba for the night; Ramah trembles, Gibeah of Saul flees” (10:28–29). The mention implies that Mikmash’s topography still made it a tactical objective in the eighth century B.C., and the prophecy warns that even familiar strongholds cannot withstand divine judgment when a nation’s heart is far from God. Post-Exilic Settlement (Ezra and Nehemiah) After the Babylonian exile, Mikmash reappears among towns resettled by the returned remnant. Ezra 2:27 counts “the men of Michmas, one hundred twenty-two,” and Nehemiah 7:31 repeats the tally. Nehemiah 11:31 further notes Benjaminite families who “lived from Geba to Michmas, Aija, and Bethel,” indicating a restored tribal presence. The inclusion of Mikmash in these administrative lists highlights the continuity of covenant land promises and the community’s commitment to re-establish worship centered on Jerusalem. Archaeology and Modern Identification Most scholars identify ancient Mikmash with modern-day Mukhmas. Surveys reveal Iron Age and Persian-period pottery, corroborating the biblical timeline. The sheer cliffs of the adjacent wadi still match the narrative of Jonathan’s secret ascent, providing a vivid backdrop for Bible teaching and devotional reflection. Theological and Ministry Reflections • Courage rooted in faith: Jonathan’s venture at Mikmash models bold initiative undergirded by confidence in God’s sovereignty. Key Passages for Study Nehemiah 7:31; 11:31 Forms and Transliterations בְּמִכְמָשׂ֙ בְמִכְמָ֔שׂ בְמִכְמָֽשׂ׃ במכמש במכמש׃ לְמִכְמָ֖שׂ למכמש מִכְמָ֑שׂ מִכְמָ֔ס מִכְמָ֣שׂ מִכְמָֽשׂ׃ מִמִּכְמָ֖שׂ מכמס מכמש מכמש׃ ממכמש bə·miḵ·māś ḇə·miḵ·māś bemichMas bəmiḵmāś ḇəmiḵmāś lə·miḵ·māś lemichMas ləmiḵmāś michMas miḵ·mās miḵ·māś miḵmās miḵmāś mim·miḵ·māś mimichMas mimmiḵmāś vemichMasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 13:2 HEB: שָׁא֜וּל אַלְפַּ֗יִם בְּמִכְמָשׂ֙ וּבְהַ֣ר בֵּֽית־ NAS: were with Saul in Michmash and in the hill country KJV: were with Saul in Michmash and in mount INT: Saul thousand Michmash mount Bethel 1 Samuel 13:5 1 Samuel 13:11 1 Samuel 13:16 1 Samuel 13:23 1 Samuel 14:5 1 Samuel 14:31 Ezra 2:27 Nehemiah 7:31 Nehemiah 11:31 Isaiah 10:28 11 Occurrences |
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