Molada
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Josh. 15:26 and others)—name of a city in the south of the tribe of Judah. Dr. Robinson identifies it with the ruins of El-Milh. Molada is situated at a distance of twenty English miles south of Hebron, and has preserved traces of remarkable buildings. Although the city was at first given to the tribe of Judah, it later passed to the tribe of Simeon (Josh. 15:26, 1 Chron. 4:28). After the return from captivity it was again settled by the Hebrews (Neh. 11:26). But according to Philo, this city was otherwise called Malatha. The name of the city corresponds to the name of the Babylonian pagan deity Militta, and in Fürst’s opinion it was dedicated precisely to this goddess.