Machaerus
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Machaerus (Μαχαιροῦς, dari Yunani Kuno: μάχαιρα, lit. 'makhaira' [sebilah pedang]; Ibrani: מכוור; Arab: قلعة مكاور, romanized: Qala'at Mukawir, lit. 'Istana Mukawir')
adalah sebuah istana puncak bukit Hasmonean dan kubu padang pasir, kini dalam reruntuhan, terletak di Jordan masa kini, 25 km (16 mi) tenggara dari muara sungai Jordan di sebelah timur Laut Mati. Menurut sejarawan Yahudi-Romawi Josephus, ia adalah lokasi pemenjaraan dan pelaksanaan hukuman mati Yohanes Pembaptis. Menurut kronologi Alkitab [Mrk 6:24 ; Mat 14:8 ], pelaksanaan hukuman mati berlaku sekitar tahun 32 M sejurus sebelum Paskah, selepas pemenjaraan selama dua tahun. Tapak ini juga menyediakan latar untuk empat watak Perjanjian Baru tambahan: Herodes yang Agung; anaknya, Tetrark Herodes Antipas; isteri keduanya, Puteri Herodias; dan anak perempuannya, Puteri 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