MICHMAS
“something hidden.” Locality near the mountain of Bethel (1 Sam. 13:2); east of Beth-aven (1 Sam. 13:5), north of Geba (1 Sam. 14:5; Isa. 10:28, 29). The Philistines camped at Michmash to fight against Saul.
Jonathan and his armor bearer had the courage to cross a steep gorge whose summit was occupied by the Philistines; The army of Israel followed them and eventually routed the armies of the Philistines (1 Sam. 13:57, 15; 14:1-23).
They returned exiles from Michmash from the Babylonian captivity (Ezra 2:27; Neh. 7:31). They were Benjamites (Neh. 11:31). Jonathan Maccabeus settled in Michmash to judge (1 Maccabeus 9:73; Ant. 13:1, 6).
The Micmas Gorge is today called Mukhmãs, a term that still evokes the ancient name. It is located 12 km north-northeast of Jerusalem, and 5 km south-southeast of Bethel. Mukhmãs is also a small town; The gorge can probably be identified with the wadi esSuweinît.