Nehusha
נְחוּשָׁה | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 31°37′43″N 34°57′8″E / 31.62861°N 34.95222°E | |
Country | Israel |
District | Jerusalem |
Council | Mateh Yehuda |
Affiliation | Hapoel HaMizrachi |
Founded | 1955 |
Population (2022)
[1] | 1,460 |
Website | www.nechusha.org.il |
Nehusha ( Hebrew: נְחוּשָׁה, lit. 'Steadfast') is a moshav in central Israel. Located five kilometres north-east of Beit Guvrin, it falls under the jurisdiction of Mateh Yehuda Regional Council. In 2022 it had a population of 1,460. [1]
The moshav was established in 1955 on the land of the depopulated Palestinian village of Umm Burj. [2] but collapsed in 1968. It was re-established in 1981. Its name is derived from the name of the Biblical town of Ir-Nachash (1 Chronicles 4:12) [3] nearby and from Psalms 18:35 (where it is translated as brass, although its meaning is steadfast or firm);
Who traineth my hands for war, so that mine arms do bend a bow of brass.
In 2004 an archaeological excavation was conducted at Nehusha by Rona Avissar on behalf of Bar Ilan University's Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology. [4]
The excavation revealed about 30 entrances to rock-cut caves, 10 bell shaped caves with plastered walls, rock-cut tombs with kokhim, columbarium, agricultural facilities later to become an underground hiding complex and a stable. Pottery fragments at the site dates back to the Hasmonean dynasty, Roman and Byzantine periods and very few from the medieval period. [5]