SENEH (sē'nĕ, Heb. seneh). The name of the southern of two great cliffs between which ran the gorge of Micmash. Jonathan and his armor-bearer passed here on their way to surprise the Philistine garrison (1Sam.14.4-1Sam.14.5). Located three and a half miles (six km.) SE of Micmash.
SENEH sĕ’ nə (
סֶֽנֶּה,
shrub,
thornbush). A notable rock or crag which, together with Bozez (q.v.), commanded the Pass of Michmash (q.v.;
1 Sam 14:4). This important access route to the Judean highlands follows the Wadi Qelt in its lower stages. In the vicinity of Michmash the route becomes narrower and passes through these two crags, thus forming one of the strategic locations for governing access to the Judean highlands. This accounts for its importance to the Philistines. Suitable rock formations are found in the immediate vicinity of ancient Michmash c. seven m. NE of Jerusalem. The name may be preserved in the name “Wadi es-Suweinīt.”
Bibliography
“Michmash,” HDB (1900).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)
This was the name attaching to the southern of the two great cliffs between which ran the gorge of Michmash (1Sa 14:4). The name means "acacia," and may have been given to it from the thorn bushes growing upon it. Josephus (BJ, V, ii, 1) mentions the "plain of thorns" near Gabathsaul. We may hear an echo of the old name in that of Wady Suweinit, "valley of the little thorn tree," the name by which the gorge is known today. The cliff must have stood on the right side of the wady; see Bozez. Conder gives an excellent description of the place in Tent Work in Palestine, II, 112-14.
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