LAKHISH

Traces of habitation on this hill have been found dating back 5,000 years, but Lakhish is first mentioned in the Bible when Joshua slew all its inhabitants and hanged its king at nearby Makkedah (Joshua 10:22-32).

As it guarded the route from the lowlands to Hebron and Jerusalem it was a natural look-out post that had to be fortified. Solomon's son, Rehoboam, included it in a string of surrounding cities that he built in defence of Judah (2 Chronicles 11:9).

In 701 BCE the Assyrian King, Sennacherib, rolled through Judah, finally laying siege to Lakhish.

In 1935 the famous ``Lakhish letters'' were discovered, throwing much light on the subsequent capture and destruction of Lakhish by the Babylonian, Nebuchadnezzar, who later went on to destroy Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem.

Lakhish rose again under the Persians in the 5th century BCE and was captured by Alexander the Great in 332 BCE. The site was abandoned shortly after the 2nd century BCE.

Ambling through the ruins the visitor can see remnants of the double walls, a gate, the residence of the Persian governor, leftovers of a Sun Temple and several rooms.

10 kms. further south are the Caves of Hazan.

Past Tel Erani are the man-made caves and tunnels used as hiding-places by Jews at the time of Bar Kochba's rebellion. The site had earlier been used for producing olive oil (a subterranean oil-press has been found), but with the preparation for the Revolt, it was turned into a secret hideout from the Romans. Return to Road No. 35 and turn right. Drive down the hill and stop before turning right opposite the Crusader ruins at Kibbutz Bet Govrin.