Machaerus
Deskripsi
Machaerus (Μαχαιροῦς, dari Bahasa Yunani Kuno: μάχαιρα, lit. 'makhaira' [sebuah pedang]; Ibrani: מכוור; Arab: قلعة مكاور, romanisasi: Qala'at Mukawir, lit. 'Kastil Mukawir')
adalah sebuah istana puncak bukit Hasmonean dan benteng gurun, sekarang dalam reruntuhan, terletak di Yordania modern, 25 km (16 mi) tenggara dari muara sungai Yordan di sisi timur Laut Mati. Menurut sejarawan Yahudi-Romawi, Josephus, itu adalah lokasi pemenjaraan dan eksekusi Yohanes Pembaptis. Menurut kronologi Alkitab ([Mrk 6:24 ]; [Mat 14:8 ]), eksekusi terjadi sekitar tahun 32 M tidak lama sebelum Paskah, setelah pemenjaraan selama dua tahun. Situs ini juga menyediakan latar untuk empat tokoh Perjanjian Baru tambahan: Herodes yang Agung; putranya, Tetrark Herodes Antipas; istri keduanya, Putri Herodias; dan putrinya, Putri Salome.
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Machaerus
the Black Fortress, was built by Herod the Great in the gorge of Callirhoe, one of the wadies 9 miles east of the Dead Sea, as a frontier rampart against Arab marauders. John the Baptist was probably cast into the prison connected with this castle by Herod Antipas, whom he had reproved for his adulterous marriage with Herodias. Here Herod "made a supper" on his birthday. He was at this time marching against Aretas, king of Perea, to whose daughter he had been married. During the revelry of the banquet held in the border fortress, to please Salome, who danced before him, he sent an executioner, who beheaded John, and "brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel" (Mark 6:14-29). This castle stood "starkly bold and clear" 3,860 feet above the Dead Sea, and 2,546 above the Mediterranean. Its ruins, now called M'khaur, are still visible on the northern end of Jebel Attarus.
EBD - Easton's Bible Dictionary