31. Lachish. This was the chief “fenced city” of the area and continued to be a stronghold in later Israelitish history. The site has been excavated, and is known today as Tell ed-Duweir. Here the famous Lachish Letters, from the time of Jeremiah, were found. The ruins are about 27 (44 ) southwest of Jerusalem and 19 (31 ) from the seacoast. Lachish is frequently mentioned in the It was an important stronghold, whose control an enemy from the south must secure before advancing on Jerusalem (see 2 Kings 18:14, 17; 19:8).