City in the mountains of Judah, apparently founded by Maon. The city was built or fortified by Rehoboam on the division of the tribes. Joshua 15:58; 1 Chronicles 2:45; 2 Chronicles 11:7; Nehemiah 3:16 . IdentifiedwithBeit Sur, 31 36' N, 35 6' E . It commanded the road from Beer-sheba to Jerusalem, and is often referred to in the Wars of the Maccabees.