MACHAERUS mă ke’ rus. The name Machaerus does not occur in the NT, although Josephus does associate it with John the Baptist. He reports that John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded at Machaerus (Antiq. 18. 5. 4). According to the account in the gospels (Matt 14:3-12; Mark 6:17-29; Luke 3:19f.), it was during the celebration of his birthday that Herod Antipas ordered the death of John the Baptist.

Machaerus (modern Mukawir) is located E of the Dead Sea on a high mountain over-looking the sea. In the 1st cent. b.c. it was fortified by Alexander Janneus, and later Herod the Great constructed an impressive palace on a hill opposite the fortification (Jos., War 7. 6. 2). Herod Antipas possessed it when he received the territory of Perea.

Scattered remains of the fortress, palace with the roadway joining them, and aqueducts and cisterns, are visible today. In the early summer of 1968, Jerry Vardaman excavated in various areas of the site. The termination of the pottery sequence near the end of the 1st cent. indicates abandonment of the site after the Herodian period. The attractive view of the Dead Sea, the commanding position with Herodium and Alexandrium visible on the W bank, and the presence of hot springs nearby no doubt made this a delightful residence for the healthy and ailing Herods.