31. From Geba dwelt at Michmash. Literally, “from Geba [to] Michmash.” Geba is now Jeba‘, 7 (11.2 ) north-northeast of Jerusalem, while Michmash, now called Mukhmâs, lies 2 (3.2 ) farther, to the northeast of Geba.
Aija. Identified as et-Tell, 11/2 (2.4 ) southeast of Bethel, a site excavated by a French expedition from 1933-35. It is uncertain whether Aija (et-Tell) is the Ai of Joshua 7 and 8 (see II, 42).
Beth-el. Now Beitîn, 11 17.6 ) north of Jerusalem. Bethel played an important role in the history of Israel. It was there that Jacob had his dream of the ladder that reached to heaven (Gen. 28). Throughout the period of the kingdom of Israel Bethel was the location of one of the two apostate temples Jeroboam I founded (1 Kings 12:28, 29).