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MARESHAH

(Heb. mārēšâ)

(PLACE)

(also MARISA)

A prominent town in the eastern Shephelah of Judah (Josh. 15:44). It was located 2 km. (1 mi.) S of Beth Guvrin/Beit Jibrin (Eleutheropolis) and 30 km. SE of Ashkelon, identified with Tell Òandaḥannah (140111). One of the cities fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chr. 11:8), it was the site of the battle between Asa and Zerah the Ethiopian (14:9). Its destruction is prophesied in Mic. 1:15. During the exilic period the city was annexed by the Idumeans. Alternating between Seleucid and Ptolemaic control, the city (then called Marisa) was prominent during the Hellenistic era, featuring an “upper” and “lower” city. Judas Maccabeus captured and burned the city (Josephus Ant. 12.8.6), but Pompey restored it to the Idumeans in 63 b.c.e. In 47 b.c.e. Julius Caesar annexed the city to Judea. It was destroyed by the Parthians in 40 b.c.e.

Excavations in the early 20th century, along with new efforts in 1989 and 1991 by Amos Kloner, have uncovered at least three strata: two Hellenistic and one Israelite (“Jewish”). In particular, the 1991 excavations revealed additional Hellenistic discoveries such as a residential quarter located on the northwest outside wall. Of note from the Israelite stratum was the discovery of a rich pottery repertoire believed to be from the beginning of the 3rd to the end of the 2nd centuries b.c.e. Also uncovered were numerous artifacts as well as tombs and burial caves. On the basis of such extensive finds, scholars are reassured that Mareshah played an important role economically throughout biblical times.

Bibliography. M. Avi-Yonah and A. Kloner, “Mareshah (Marisa),” NEAEHL 3:948-57.

Aaron M. Gale

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MARESHAH

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)