Maacah

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

Abel-beth-Maacah was not in it, but in Israel; in the direction of Maacah, and somehow connected with it (2 Samuel 20:14-16). A small kingdom outside Argob (Deuteronomy 3:14), and Bashan (Joshua 12:5). Between Bashan and the kingdom of Damascus, on the skirts of Mount Hermon, E. of the Lejah. The mention of Maacah with the Geshurites points to a connection between them; probably by affinity, as the Geshurite Talmai's daughter bears the name Maacah. Both were connected with Syria (1 Chronicles 19:6-7; 2 Samuel 10:6; 2 Samuel 10:8). The king of Maacah was Ammon's ally against David; his small contingent, 1,000 men, shows the pettiness of the region.

Holman Bible Dictionary

Genesis 22:24Joshua 13:132 Samuel 10:6-81 Chronicles 7:1621 Chronicles 2:4831 Chronicles 8:291 Chronicles 9:3542 Samuel 3:31 Chronicles 3:251 Chronicles 11:4361 Chronicles 27:1671 Kings 2:3981 Kings 15:21 Kings 15:13

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

MAACHA, MAACAH

A province of Syria, so called from Maacah, pressure. (See 2 Samuel 10:6) There are several persons called by this name in Scripture. (See 2 Samuel 2:3; 1 Kings 15:2, etc.)

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

MAACAH. 1. A son of Nahor ( Genesis 22:24 ). 2. The daughter of Talmai, wife of David, and mother of Absalom ( 2 Samuel 3:5 etc.). 3. The father of Achish, king of Gath ( 1 Kings 2:39 ), possibly the same as Maoch ( 1 Samuel 27:2 ). 4. Wife of Rehoboam, and mother of Ahijah ( 2 Chronicles 11:20 ). When she is called ‘daughter’ of Absalom ( 1 Kings 15:2; 1Ki 15:10 , 2 Chronicles 11:20 f.), ‘granddaughter’ may be intended, as Ahsalom had but one daughter, Tamar , who may have married Uriel of Gibeah ( 2 Chronicles 13:2 , where the name is given as Micaiah  ; cf. Jos. [Note: Josephus.] Ant . VII. x. 1). Maacah fell under the spell of loathsome idolatry, for which Asa deposed her from the position of queen-mother, which she appears to have held till then ( 1 Kings 15:18 , 2 Chronicles 15:16 ). 5. A concubine of Caleb ( 1 Chronicles 2:48 ). 6. Wife of Machir ( 1 Chronicles 7:15 f.). 7. Wife of Jehiel, the father of Gibeon ( 1 Chronicles 8:28; 1 Chronicles 9:35 ). 8. One of David’s warriors, father of Hanan ( 1 Chronicles 11:43 ). 9. The father of Shephatiah, the captain of the Simeonites ( 1 Chronicles 27:18 ).

W. Ewing.

MAACAH. A small kingdom out of which the Aramæan ( 1 Chronicles 19:6 ) inhabitants were not driven ( Joshua 13:13 ). It probably lay in what is now known as the Jautân , E. of the Sea of Galilee and the Upper Jordan ( Deuteronomy 3:14 , Joshua 12:6; Joshua 13:11 ), but its borders cannot now be determined. Its king and army were hired against David by the Ammonites, and shared their overthrow in the battle fought near Medeba ( 2 Samuel 10:1-19 , 1 Chronicles 19:1-19 ). The inhabitants were called Maacathites ( 2 Samuel 23:34 etc.).

W. Ewing.

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Maacah (mâ'a-kah), oppression, 2 Samuel 3:3; or Maachah, 1 Chronicles 3:2. 1. A daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur, was taken in battle by David, according to Hebrew tradition, and made one of his wives and bore him Absalom. 2. A small district or kingdom on the northeastern frontier of Palestine, in Syria, near Ammon and toward Mesopotamia, 2 Samuel 10:6; or Maachah, 1 Chronicles 19:6-7.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Ma'acah. (oppression).

1. The mother of Absalom; also called Maachah. 2 Samuel 3:3.

2. Maacah, or (in 1 Chronicles 19:6-7), Maachah, a small kingdom in close proximity to Palestine which appears to have lain outside Argob, Deuteronomy 3:14, and Bashun. Joshua 12:5.

The Ammonite war was the only occasion on which the Maacathites came into contact with Israel when their king assisted the Ammonites against Joab with a force which he led himself. 2 Samuel 10:6; 2 Samuel 10:8; 1 Chronicles 19:7.

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

or BETH-MAACHA, a little province of Syria to the east and the north of the sources of the river Jordan, upon the road to Damascus. Abel or Abela was in this country, whence it was called, Abelbeth- Maachah. We learn from Joshua 13:13 , that the Israelites did not destroy the Maachathites, but permitted them to dwell in the land among them. The distribution of the half tribe of Manasseh, beyond Jordan, extended as far as this country, Deuteronomy 3:14; Joshua 12:5 .

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

mā´a - ka ( מעכה , ma‛ăkhāh  ; Septuagint: Codex Vaticanus Μωχᾶ , Mōchá  ; Codex Alexandrinus Μααχά , Maachá ): A small Syrian kingdom adjoining that of Geshur on the western border of Bashan, the inhabitants of which are called Maachathites (the Revised Version (British and American) "Maacathites"), whose territory was taken by Jair ( Deuteronomy 3:14; Joshua 12:5 ). The border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites and all Mt. Hermon were given to the half-tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 13:11 ). The inhabitants of these kingdoms, however, were not driven out by Israel (Joshua 13:13 ), and at a later day the children of Ammon hired mercenaries from Maacah for their encounter with David. The armies met near Medeba when the "Syrians" from Maacah found themselves opposed to Joab. That famous captain completely routed them (2 Samuel 10:6 ff the Septuagint has "Amalek"). In 1 Chronicles 19:6 it is called Aram-maacah, Syria-maachah (the King James Version); and in 1 Chronicles 2:23 "Aram" appears instead of "Maacah."

It evidently lay between Geshur on the South and Hermon on the North, being probably bounded by Jordan on the West, although no certain indication of boundaries is now possible. They would thus be hemmed in by Israel, which accounts for 'Geshur and Maacath dwell in the midst of Israel" (Joshua 13:13 ).It is possible that Abel-beth-maacah may have been a colony founded by men from Maacah.

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Ma´acah, or Maacath, a city and region at the foot of Mount Hermon, not far from Geshur, a district of Syria . Hence the adjacent portion of Syria is called Aram-Maachah or Syria of Maachah . The Israelites seem to have considered this territory as included in their grant, but were never able to get possession of it . In the time of David the small state had a king of its own, who contributed 1000 men to, the grand alliance of the Syrian nations against the Jewish monarch . The lot of the half-tribe of Manasseh beyond the Jordan extended to this country, as had previously the dominion of Og, king of Bashan . Near, or within the ancient limits of Maacah, was the town called for that reason Abel beth-Maacah [ABEL].

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Heb. Maikah', מִעֲכָה, oppression, Sept. Μααχά, but in Genesis 22:24, Μοχά; in 1 Chronicles 2:48; 1 Chronicles 3:3. Μωχά; in 1 Chronicles 7:15-16, Μοοχά; in 1 Chronicles 9:35, Μοωχά; in 1 Chronicles 11:43, Μαχά; Vulg. Maacha; Auth. Vers. "Maacah" only 2 Samuel 3:3; 2 Samuel 10:6; 2 Samuel 10:8), the name of a place and also of nine persons. (See Beth- Maachah).

1. A city and region at the foot of Mount Hermon, not far from Geshur, a district of Syria (Joshua 13:13; 2 Samuel 10:6; 2 Samuel 10:8; 1 Chronicles 19:7). Hence the adjacent portion of Syria is called Aram-Maacah, or Syria of Maachah ("Syria-Maachah," 1 Chronicles 19:6). It appears to have been situated at the southerly junction of Coele-Syria and Damascene- Syria, being bounded by the kingdom of Rehob on the north, by that of Geshur on the south, and by the mountains on either side of the Upper Jordan, on the east and west. (See Geshur).

The little kingdom thus embraced the southern and eastern declivities of Hermon, and a portion of the rocky plateau of Itursea (Porter's Damascus, 1:319; comp. Journ. of Sac. Lit. July 1854, page 310). The Israelites seem to have considered this territory as included in their grant, but were never able to get possession of it (Joshua 13:13). In the time of David this petty principality had a king of its own, who contributed 1000 men to the grand alliance of the Syrian nations against the Jewish monarch (2 Samuel 10:6; 2 Samuel 10:8). The lot of the half-tribe of Manasseh beyond the Jordan extended to this country, as had previously the dominion of Og, king of Bashan (Deuteronomy 3:14; Joshua 12:5). The Gentile nameis Maacahthite (מִעֲכָתַי, Sept. Μαχαθί, but Μααχαθί in 2 Samuel 23:24, Μαχαθά in 1 Chronicles 4:19, Μιοχαθεί in Jeremiah 40:8; Auth. Version "Maacathite," but "Maachathi" in Deuteronomy 3:14), which is also put for the people (Deuteronomy 3:14; Joshua 12:5; Joshua 13:11; Joshua 13:13; 2 Kings 25:23). Near or within the ancient limits of the small state of Maacah was the town called for that reason Abbel beth-maacah, perhaps its metropolis, which is represented by the modern Abil el-Kamh, situated on the west side of the valley and stream that descends from Merj Ayun towards the Huleh, and on a summit, with a large offset on the south. (See Abeln-Beth Maachah).

Rosenmü ller explains the name Maacah to press, to press together, which seems to denote a region enclosed and hemmed in by mountains, a land of valleys. The name of this region is Anglicized everywhere "Maachah" in the Auth. Vers., except in 2 Samuel 3:3; 2 Samuel 10:6; 2 Samuel 10:8. Once (Joshua 13:13, second clause) it is written in the original Maacath (Hebrew Maakath', מִעֲכָת, Sept. Μαχαθί,Vulg. Maachati, Auth. Vers. "Maachathites"). The identification of the Chaldee version with the district of Epicairus (Ε᾿πικαιρος ), mentioned by Ptolemy (5:16, 9) as lying between Callirrhoe and Livias, as also that of the Syriac (on 1 Chronicles) with Charan, according to Rosenmü ller (Altelth. 1. 2) a tract in the district of the Ledja (Burckhardt, 1:350), is merely traditionary (Reland, Palest. p. 118).

2. The last named of the four children of Nahor by his concubine Reumah, probably a son, although the sex is uncertain (Genesis 22:24). B.C. cir. 2040. Ewald arbitrarily connects the name with the district of Maachah in the Hermon range (Gesch. 1:414, note 1).

3. The sister of Hupham (Huppim) and Shupham (Shuppim), and consequently granddaughter of Benjamin; she married Machir, by whom she had two sons (1 Chronicles 7:15-16). B.C. post. 1856. (See Gilead).

4. The second named of the concubines of Caleb (son of Hezron), by whom she had several children (1 Chronicles 2:48). B.C. ante 1658.

5. The wife of Jehiel and mother of Gibeon (1 Chronicles 8:29; 1 Chronicles 9:35). B.C. cir. 1658.

6. A daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; she became the wife of David, and mother of Absalom (2 Samuel 3:3). B.C. 1053. In 1 Samuel 27:8, we read of David's invading the land of the Geshurites, and the Jewish commentators (in Jerome, ad Reg.) allege that he then took the daughter of the king captive, and, in consequence of her great beauty, married her, after she had been made a proselyte according to the law in Deuteronomy 21. But this is a gross mistake. for the Geshur invaded by David was to the south of Judah, whereas the Geshur over which Talmai ruled was to the north, and was regarded as part of Syria (2 Samuel 15:8). (See Gesihui).

The fact appears to be that David, having married the daughter of this king, contracted an alliance with him, in order to strengthen his interest against Ishbosheth in those parts. Josephus gives her name Μαχάμη (Ant. 7:1, 4). (See David).

7. The father of Hanan, which latter was one of David's famous body- guard (1 Chronicles 11:43). B.C. ante 1046.

8. The father of Shephatiah, which latter was the military chief of the tribe of Simeon under David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 27:16). B.C. ante 1014.

9. The father of Achish, which latter was the king of Gath, to whom Shimei went in search of his runaway servants, and thus forfeited, his life by transcending the bounds prescribed by Solomon (1 Kings 2:39). B.C. ante 1010. He appears to have been different from the Maoch of 1 Samuel 27:2. (See Achish).

10. A daughter of Abishalom, the wife of Rehoboam, and mother of Abijam (1 Kings 15:2). B.C. 973-953. In 1 Kings 15:10 we read that Asa's "mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom." It is evident that here "mother" is used in a loose sense, and means "grandmother," which the Maachah named in 1 Kings 15:2 must have been to the Asa of 1 Kings 15:10. It therefore appears to be a great error to make two persons of them, as is done by Calmet and others. The Abishalom who was the father of this Maachah is called Absalom in 2 Chronicles 11:20-22, and is generally supposed by the Jews to have been Absalom, the son of David; which seems not improbable, seeing that Rehoboam's two other wives were of his father's family (2 Chronicles 11:18). In 2 Chronicles 13:2, she is called "Michaiah, the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah." But Josephus says that she was the daughter of Tamar, the daughter of Absalom (Ant. 8:10, 1), and consequently his granddaughter. This seems not unlikely, and in that case this Tamar must have been the wife of Uriel. (See Abijai).

It would appear that Asa's own mother was dead before he began to reign; for Maachah bore the rank and state of queen-mother (resembling that of the sultaness Valide among the Turks), the powers of which she so much abused to the encouragement of idolatry, that Asa commenced his reforms by "removing her from being queen, because she had made an idol (lit. a fright) in a grove" (1 Kings 15:10-13; 2 Chronicles 15:16).