Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MACHAERUS

(Gk. Machairous)

A Jewish fortress strategically located E of the Dead Sea 24 km. (15 mi.) SE of the mouth of the Jordan River. A fortress built there (ca. 90 b.c.e.) by Alexander Janneus (103-76) was destroyed in 57 b.c.e. Herod the Great (37-4) rebuilt the site (ca. 30), which later passed to Herod Antipas (4 b.c.e.–39 c.e.). Josephus maintains that Herod Antipas imprisoned and beheaded John the Baptist at Machaerus (Ant. 18.116-19). Gospel accounts do not identify Machaerus as the location of these events (Matt. 14:3-12 = Mark 6:17-29). At the death of Herod Agrippa in 44 c.e. the fortress fell under Roman control, remaining so until the Jewish Revolt (66-70). In 72 control returned to the Romans.

Machaerus was excavated in 1978-1981, yielding detailed plans of the fortifications, confirming identification of Machaerus with Mishnaqa (209108), and providing evidence to support literary claims of occupation from 90 b.c.e. to 72 c.e. The name is preserved in the modern village of Mekawer, 1.6 km. (1 mi.) east.

Monica L. W. Brady

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MACHAERUS

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)