Bible Dictionary
Maacah
Maacah was a small Syrian kingdom near Geshur and Hermon, and the name of several individuals in Israel’s history, including David’s wife and mother of Absalom.
Definition
Maacah was a small Syrian kingdom adjoining Geshur on the western border of Bashan, probably between Geshur and Mount Hermon. The name is also associated with the people of that kingdom and may refer to several persons in biblical genealogies.
Biblical Usage
The Maacathites were not driven out by Israel. Later, the Ammonites hired soldiers from Maacah against David, but Joab routed them. The name also occurs in accounts involving David’s family and other Israelite figures.
Historical Background
Maacah was probably bounded by Jordan on the west, though its exact borders are uncertain. Its position among Israelite territory explains the statement that Geshur and Maacah dwelt in Israel’s midst.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(oppression).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ma'-a-ka (ma`akhah; Septuagint: Codex Vaticanus Mocha; Codex Alexandrinus Maacha): 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 (De 3:14; Jos 12:5). The border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites and all Mt. Hermon were given to the half-tribe of Manasseh (Jos 13:11). The inhabitants of these kingdoms, however, were not driven out by Israel (Jos 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 (2Sa 10:6 ff the Septuagint has "Amalek"). In 1Ch 19:6 it is called Aram-maacah, Syria-maachah (the King James Version); and in 1Ch 2:23 "Aram" appears instead of "Maacah."</p><p>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" (Jos 13:13).It is possible that Abel-beth-maacah may have been a colony founded by men from Maacah.</p><p>W. Ewing</p>