Nehusha

Nehusha

נְחוּשָׁה
Nehusha נְחוּשָׁה
	Nehusha seen from the hill of Khirbat Umm Burj
	Nehusha
	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)	1,460
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]

History

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.

Archaeology

Underground stables

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]

Gallery

Cross shaped columbarium
Signpost showing description of ancient ruin, Hurvat Qayit
The ancient ruin of Qayit, near Nehusha
Ruin of Qayit near Moshav Nehusha
Ruin of Qayit near Nehusha