Moresheth-Gath

Coordinates: 31°38′00″N 34°55′00″E / 31.6334°N 34.9166°E / 31.6334; 34.9166
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Not to be confused with Moreshet.

Moresheth-Gath (

Achzib
.

Etymology

The name Moresheth-Gath appears only once in the Hebrew Scriptures, inscribed in a verse taken from Micah 1:14. Biblical exegetes,

Avraham ibn Ezra and David Kimhi, both explain the word as being "a place-name in the land of the Philistines," Kimhi adding that the name implies "the inheritance of Gath," namely, the city of Gath which was captured by David and which came into his inheritance (1 Chronicles 18:1); moresheth, in Hebrew, being derived from the Hebrew yerushah (ירושה‎= lit. "inheritance").[1] Jonathan ben Uzziel's Aramaic Targum, on the same verse, does not write Moreshet as a proper noun, but rather explains the word as a verb, meaning, "those who inherit Gath" (מחסיני גת‎), which is also the same approach taken by Rashi, in his commentary on the verse.[1]

Others have argued that the name Moresheth-Gath means "possession of Gath", and that since

Philistine city.[2] Wellhausen renders the passage in Micah "Thou must let go Moresheth, O Gath."[3]

History

Later scholars of biblical literature have understood Moresheth-Gath to be a place-name written in the

Lachish,[10] Keilah, Achzib and Mareshah.[11]

It may also be the city Muchrashti,

Egypt and the south, explaining its fortification by Rehoboam.[13]

Its strategic location led to its capture by Sennacherib in his attack on Judah in 701 BC.[14] Centuries later, both Vespasian and Saladin camped nearby on the eve of sacking Jerusalem.[15]

Location

  • Moresheth-Gath has been tentatively identified as
    R.A.S. Macalister.[19]
  • Jerome[20] places Maresha a little to the East of Eleutheropolis (Beit Guvrin). The ruins of a village between one and two miles East of Beit Jibrin would fit his description, viz. Tel Sandahannah, and which has positively been identified as Maresha, based on a funerary inscription. Jerome says a church was built over Micah's tomb.[21] Eusebius,[22] gives similar location.[23] Conversely, Tell ej-Judeideh lies to the north of Eleutheropolis.
  • The
    Aramaic Targum
    in Micah 1:1 translates the sense as meaning, "Michah of Maresha."
  • Some have believed Moresheth-Gath to have been in the vicinity of
    Mareshah is discounted by Eusebius' time,[24] there still remains some support for the site being none other than Maresha.[25]
  • Some scholars have identified Tell Khirbat al-Bayḍā approximately 6 km northeast of Maresha with Moresheth-Gath.[26] While others suggest Tel-Goded to be Moresheth-Gath.[27][28] Tel-Goded is today's Modern Hebrew name of the Tell formerly called Tell ej-Judeideh and lies exactly 9.7 kilometres southeast of Tell es-Safi.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Mikra'ot Gedolot, with 32 commentaries, Twelve Minor Prophets, Vagshal Publishers, Jerusalem, s.v. Micah 1:14
  2. ^ Charles S. Shaw, The Speeches of Micah: A Rhetorical-Historical Analysis, Continuum International Publishing Group Page 45
  3. Jewish Encyclopedia
    . Vol. 9. p. 16.
  4. ^ Ibn Ezra's commentary on Micah 1:15
  5. ^ Micah 1:1
  6. ^ Jeremiah 26:18
  7. 2 Chronicles
    20:37
  8. 2 Chronicles
    11:8
  9. ^ a b Trent Butler, Holman Bible Dictionary
  10. ^ Micah 1:13-15
  11. ^ Joshua 15:44
  12. ^ Bruce K. Waltke, A Commentary on Micah, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing page 39
  13. ^ 2 Chronicles 11:5-12
  14. ^ Micah 1:14
  15. ^ By John Phillips, Exploring the Minor Prophets: An Expository Commentary Kregel Academic page 161
  16. ^ Charles S. Shaw,The Speeches of Micah: A Rhetorical-Historical Analysis, Continuum International Publishing Group Page 45
  17. OCLC 6250553. (original Hebrew edition: 'Land of Israel in Biblical Times - Historical Geography', Bialik Institute
    , Jerusalem (1962))
  18. ISBN 965-208-107-8
    .
  19. ^ James D. G. Dunn, John William Rogerson, Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible,Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Page 703
  20. ^ Jerome, prologue to his commentary on Micah
  21. St. Paula and Eustochium
    , ch. 14
  22. ^ Historia Ecclesiastica 9:17
  23. ^ Eusebius' Onomasticon
  24. ^ William George Smith, John Mee Fuller, Encyclopaedic dictionary of the Bible, Concept Publishing Company Page 422
  25. ^ William McClure Thomson, The Land and the Book, Volume 2 p360.
  26. Journal of the Palestine Oriental Society
    . 11. Palestine Oriental Society: 98.
  27. ISBN 965-208-107-8
    .
  28. ^ Moresheth Gath in Bible Places, also in "The Land of the Bible, A historical geography", page 439, by Yohanan Aharoni

31°38′00″N 34°55′00″E / 31.6334°N 34.9166°E / 31.6334; 34.9166

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