the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Encyclopedias
Mareshah
Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
or Mare´shah, a town in the tribe of Judah (), rebuilt and fortified by Rehoboam (). The Ethiopians under Zerah were defeated by Asa in the valley near Mareshah (). It was laid desolate by Judas Maccabeus, on his march from Hebron to Ashdod (; Josephus, Antiq. xii. 8, 6). Josephus mentions it among the towns, possessed by Alexander Jannæus, which had been in the hands of the Syrians (Ib. xiii. 15, 4); but by Pompey it was restored to the former inhabitants, and attached to the province of Syria (Ib. xiv. 4, 4). Maresa was among the towns rebuilt by Gabinius (Ib. xiv. 5, 3), but was again destroyed by the Parthians in their eruption against Herod (Ib. xiv. 5, 3). A place so often mentioned in history must have been of considerable importance; but it does not appear that it was ever again rebuilt. The site, however, is set down by Eusebins and Jerome as within two miles of Eleutheropolis, but the direction is not stated. Dr. Robinson found, at a mile and a half south of the site of Eleutheropolis, a remarkable tell, or artificial hill, with foundations of some buildings. As there are no other ruins in the vicinity, and as the site is admirably suited for a fortress, this, he supposes, may have been Mareshah.
Public Domain.
Kitto, John, ed. Entry for 'Mareshah'. "Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature". https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/kbe/m/mareshah.html.
