Mareshah is an ancient city mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, located in the lowland region of Judah. It holds historical and biblical significance, particularly in the context of the tribal allotments and the narratives of the kings of Judah.

Biblical References:

1. Tribal Allotment: Mareshah is first mentioned in the context of the tribal allotments in the Book of Joshua. It is listed among the cities in the territory assigned to the tribe of Judah. Joshua 15:44 states, "Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah—nine cities, along with their villages."

2. Rehoboam's Fortifications: During the reign of King Rehoboam, Mareshah was fortified as part of a defensive strategy against potential invasions. 2 Chronicles 11:8 records, "Gath, Mareshah, and Ziph."

3. Battle of Mareshah: The city is notably mentioned in the account of King Asa's battle against Zerah the Cushite. Asa, the king of Judah, faced a formidable Ethiopian army at Mareshah. 2 Chronicles 14:9-10 describes the event: "Then Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, and they came as far as Mareshah. So Asa marched out against him and lined up in battle formation in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah."

4. Prophetic Mention: The prophet Micah references Mareshah in his pronouncements against the cities of Judah. Micah 1:15 states, "I will again bring a conqueror against you, O inhabitant of Mareshah. The glory of Israel will come to Adullam."

Historical and Archaeological Insights:

Mareshah was a significant city during the Iron Age and later periods. Archaeological excavations have revealed a wealth of information about its history and culture. The site, known today as Tel Maresha, is located in the Shephelah region of Israel. Excavations have uncovered remains from various periods, including the Hellenistic era, when the city was known as Marisa.

The city was strategically located on trade routes and served as a center of commerce and military activity. Its fortifications and urban planning reflect its importance in the region. The Hellenistic period saw Mareshah flourish as a cosmopolitan city, with influences from Greek culture evident in the archaeological findings.

Theological Significance:

Mareshah's biblical narrative underscores themes of divine protection and judgment. The account of Asa's victory over Zerah at Mareshah highlights the power of faith and reliance on God in the face of overwhelming odds. Asa's prayer and subsequent victory serve as a testament to God's deliverance for those who seek Him earnestly.

The prophetic mention by Micah serves as a warning of impending judgment due to the people's unfaithfulness. It reflects the broader biblical theme of accountability and the consequences of turning away from God's commandments.

In summary, Mareshah is a city rich in biblical history and theological significance. Its mention in the Scriptures provides insights into the life and times of ancient Judah, as well as enduring lessons on faith, leadership, and divine justice.Mareshah

from the beginning; an inheritance

Mareshah

A town in Judah, Joshua 15:44, fortified by Rehobaoam, 2 Chronicles 11:8, and the birthplace of Micah. In a valley near by, Asa defeated Zerah with an immense host of Ethiopians, 2 Chronicles 14:9-13. It probably lay on the western border of Judah, just south of Eleutheropolis.

Possession, a city in the plain of Judah (John 15:44). Here Asa defeated Zerah the Ethiopian (2 Chronicles 14:9, 10). It is identified with the ruin el-Mer'ash, about 1 1/2 mile south of Beit Jibrin. MARESHAH

ma-re'-sha (mareshah; Septuagint: Codex Vaticanus Bathesar; Codex Alexandrinus Maresa): A town in the Shephelah of Judah named with Keilah and Achzib (Joshua 15:44). It occupied such a position that Rehoboam thought well to fortify it for the protection of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 11:8). In the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah, Asa overwhelmed Zerah the Ethiopian and his army, pursuing them as far as Gezer (2 Chronicles 14:9). From Mareshah came Eliezer the prophet who denounced disaster upon the commercial copartnery of Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah (2 Chronicles 20:37). The place is mentioned in Micah (2 Chronicles 1:15). Mareshah was plundered and burned by Judas Maccabeus (Ant., XII, viii, 6; 1 Maccabees 5:66 the Revised Version margin). Hither Gorgias escaped, having been rescued from the hands of Dositheus by a Thracian horseman (2 Maccabees 12:35). It was taken by John Hyrcanus, who allowed the inhabitants to remain on condition that they adopt circumcision and submit to the Jewish law. This they did; and later John avenged an injustice done to Mareshah by the Samaritans. It is then described as "a colony of Jews" (Ant., XIII, ix, 1; x, 2). The city was treated with favor by Pompey (XIV, iv, 4). When the Parthians invaded Judea in support of Antigonus they demolished Mareshah (xiii, 9).

According to Eusebius, Onomasticon, Mareshah was 2 Roman miles from Eleutheropolis (Beit Jibrin). Until recently it was thought that Khirbet Mir`ash, where the old name lingers, not far Southwest of Beit Jibrin, represented the ancient city. The work of Dr. Bliss, however ("Excavations in Palestine," PEF), shows that it must be located at Tell Sandachannah, about a mile South of Beit Jibrin. A series of remarkable tombs was discovered here. From 1 Chronicles 2:42 we may perhaps gather that Hebron was colonized by the men of Mareshah.

W. Ewing

4762. Mareshah -- a place in Judah, also two Israelites
Mareshah or Mareshah. 4761, 4762. Mareshah or Mareshah. 4763 . a place
in Judah, also two Israelites. Transliteration: Mareshah ...
/hebrew/4762.htm - 6k

How Zerah, King of the Ethiopians, was Beaten by Asa; and How Asa ...
... him, with a great army, of nine hundred thousand footmen, and one hundred thousand
horsemen, and three hundred chariots, and came as far as Mareshah, a city ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how zerah king.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... territory. With this agrees the connection in which it is named (1:13-15); for
Lachish, Mareshah, and Adullam also lay in that direction. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... 2 Chronicles 11:6-10, where we find a list of the towns fortified by Rehoboam:
Bethlehem, Etam, Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... Then skirting the country of the Horites and Gittites, Mareshah, Edom, and Lachish,
and traversing the lonely wastes of the desert where the tracks of the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

Mareshah (8 Occurrences)
... It is identified with the ruin el-Mer'ash, about 1 1/2 mile south of Beit
Jibrin. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MARESHAH. ma-re ...
/m/mareshah.htm - 11k

Mare'shah (8 Occurrences)
Mare'shah. Mareshah, Mare'shah. Margin . ... Mare'shah (8 Occurrences). Joshua
15:44 and Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages. ...
/m/mare'shah.htm - 8k

Zephathah (1 Occurrence)
... A valley in the west of Judah, near Mareshah; the scene of Asa's conflict with Zerah
the Ethiopian (2 Chronicles 14:9-13). ... It is said to be at Mareshah. ...
/z/zephathah.htm - 7k

Keilah (16 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. KEILAH. ke-i'-la (qe`ilah; Keeilam): (1) A city of
the Shephelah mentioned (Joshua 15:44) along with Nezib, Aehzib and Mareshah. ...
/k/keilah.htm - 15k

Ziph (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 2:42 The sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were Mesha his firstborn,
who was the father of Ziph; and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron ...
/z/ziph.htm - 11k

Untoward (1 Occurrence)
... It is said to be at Mareshah. No name resembling this has been recovered
there. Possibly, therefore, the Septuagint rendering is ...
/u/untoward.htm - 9k

Dodavahu (1 Occurrence)
... do-dav'-a-hu (dodhawahu, "loved of God"; the King James Version Dodavah): Father
of Eliezer of Mareshah, a prophet in the days of Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20 ...
/d/dodavahu.htm - 7k

Moreshethgath (1 Occurrence)
... prophet Micah (Micah 1:1 Jeremiah 26:18). It was probably in the vicinity
of Mareshah (Micah 1:15). Jerome, in his preface to his work ...
/m/moreshethgath.htm - 8k

Moresheth-gath (1 Occurrence)
... prophet Micah (Micah 1:1 Jeremiah 26:18). It was probably in the vicinity
of Mareshah (Micah 1:15). Jerome, in his preface to his work ...
/m/moresheth-gath.htm - 8k

Achzib (4 Occurrences)
... lying" or "disappointing"): The name of two towns in Palestine: (1) A town in western
Judah in the lowlands, mentioned in connection with Mareshah and Keilah ...
/a/achzib.htm - 10k

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