Nehusha

Nehusha נְחוּשָׁה (Hebrew)
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 / 31.62861; 34.95222
Country	Israel
District	Jerusalem
Council	Mateh Yehuda
Affiliation	Hapoel HaMizrachi
Founded	1955
Population  (2024)1	1,421
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 2024 it had a population of 1,421.¹

The moshav was established in 1955 on land that had belonged to the depopulated Palestinian village of Umm Burj.² Although the village 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.

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

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