Original Word: לָכִישׁ
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Lachiysh
Pronunciation: lah-KEESH
Phonetic Spelling: (law-keesh')
KJV: Lachish
NASB: Lachish
Word Origin: [from an unused root of uncertain meaning]

1. Lakish, a place in Israel

Lachish

From an unused root of uncertain meaning; Lakish, a place in Palestine -- Lachish.

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a Canaanite city S.W. of Jer.
NASB Translation
Lachish (24).

לָכִישׁ proper name, of a location — so Joshua 10:3 +; with ה locative לֶכִ֫ישָׁה Joshua 10:31 5t.; — Canaanitish (Amorite) city, with king, Joshua 10:3,5,23 (all J E), Joshua 10:31; Joshua 12:11 (both D); (= Tel el-Amarna Lakiša, Lakisi Wkl^{TA Tablets, Nos. 217, 218, 180, 181}); captured by Joshua 10:32,33,34,35 (all D); reckoned to Judah Micah 1:13; Jeremiah 34:7; Joshua 15:39 (P), compare 2 Kings 14:19 (twice in verse) = 2Chronicles 25:27 (twice in verse), 2Chronicles 11:9; Nehemiah 11:30; base of Assyrian operations 2 Kings 18:14, compare 2Chronicles 32:9, also 2 Kings 18:17; 2 Kings 19:8 = Isaiah 36:2; Isaiah 37:8 ( = Assyrian Lakisi Schr^COT 2 Kings 18:13); probably = modern Tell el-Hesy, approximately 33 miles southwest from Jerusalem FJB^{Mound of Many Cities, 1893} Buhl^{Geogr. § 103} GASm^{Geogr. 234}; > Umm el-Lâkis vd Velde^{Mem. 320} Guérin^{Judeé; ii. 299 ff.}; Um Lâkis opposed to by Rob^{BR ii. 47.} — ᵐ5 Λαχεις.

לָכֵן

see כֵּן. לֻלָאוֺת see [ לוּלַי] below לולו.

Name and Overview

Lachish was a heavily fortified city located in the Shephelah of Judah, roughly thirty miles southwest of Jerusalem and on the main road from Egypt to the Judean highlands. Its strategic position on a fertile plateau made it a key defensive outpost for Judah and a prize for invading armies.

Geographical Setting

• Second–most important Judean stronghold after Jerusalem, guarding the western approaches.
• Situated on a prominent tell (Tel ed-Duweir), surrounded by fertile lowlands ideal for agriculture.
• Controlled the Via Maris corridor linking Egypt with the interior of Canaan and Mesopotamia.

Biblical History

Conquest under Joshua

Joshua’s southern campaign features Lachish in rapid succession. “Joshua went up from Libnah to Lachish, and the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel” (Joshua 10:31-32). The city fell on the second day, underscoring divine aid and Israel’s momentum. A defeat of its king follows (Joshua 10:33; 12:11), and it is allotted to Judah (Joshua 15:39).

Monarchy and Divided Kingdom Period

Amaziah of Judah fled to Lachish after a conspiracy in Jerusalem: “They sent to Lachish after him and killed him there” (2 Kings 14:19). Its walls evidently offered royal refuge, showing the city’s continuing military value centuries after Joshua.

Assyrian Campaign under Sennacherib

By Hezekiah’s reign Lachish again becomes the Assyrian field headquarters. “So Hezekiah king of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria at Lachish” (2 Kings 18:14). The Assyrian delegation departs from Lachish to demand Jerusalem’s surrender (2 Kings 18:17; Isaiah 36:2). After the Angel of the LORD struck the Assyrian army, Sennacherib “withdrew and returned home, and he remained at Nineveh” (2 Kings 19:8; Isaiah 37:8). The narrative juxtaposes Lachish’s capture by human power with Jerusalem’s deliverance by divine power.

Late Kingdom and Exile

When Nebuchadnezzar advanced, only Lachish and Azekah still held out among the fortified cities of Judah (Jeremiah 34:7). The prophet Micah singles out Lachish for pioneering Judah’s idolatrous alliances: “Harness the fast horses to the chariot, O inhabitant of Lachish—she was the beginning of sin to the Daughter of Zion” (Micah 1:13). Post-exile settlers returned to the region (Nehemiah 11:30), indicating renewed though diminished occupation.

Archaeological Corroboration

• Nineveh’s “Lachish Reliefs” vividly portray Sennacherib’s siege machines assaulting the city—external confirmation of the biblical record.
• The “Lachish Letters,” ostraca written shortly before Babylon’s conquest, mention signal fires from Azekah ceasing, aligning with Jeremiah 34:7.
• Successive destruction layers match the Late Bronze (Joshua), Iron II (Amaziah), and Neo-Assyrian (Hezekiah) events.

Theological and Ministry Insights

1. God’s Sovereign Deliverance versus Human Fortifications

Lachish exemplifies the limits of human defenses. It fell to Joshua despite mighty walls; it surrendered to Sennacherib yet Jerusalem was divinely spared. Trust placed in fortresses or foreign alliances cannot replace covenant faithfulness (Psalm 20:7).

2. Sin’s Contagion from Strategic Centers

Micah’s rebuke shows how influential cities can seed national apostasy. Modern ministry must recognize that cultural centers often shape spiritual currents and require intentional discipleship.

3. The Remnant Principle

Even as strongholds collapse, God preserves a faithful remnant. The Lachish Letters’ plea and Jeremiah’s prophecy highlight believers holding fast amid national judgment.

4. Valor without Obedience Is Futile

Amaziah’s retreat to Lachish (2 Chronicles 25:27) illustrates that military success cannot compensate for spiritual compromise. Personal or corporate victories lack lasting security apart from wholehearted devotion.

Key Themes and Reflections

• Strategic stewardship: Position and resources should advance God’s purposes, not self-reliance.
• Warning against syncretism: Lachish’s “beginning of sin” warns churches to guard doctrinal purity.
• Assurance of divine protection: Jerusalem’s salvation after Lachish’s fall underscores that safety rests in the LORD, not in walls or weapons.

See Also

Azekah; Libnah; Hezekiah; Sennacherib; Micah’s Oracles

לְלָכִֽישׁ׃ לָכִ֑ישָׁה לָכִ֑ישׁ לָכִ֔ישָׁה לָכִ֔ישׁ לָכִ֖ישׁ לָכִ֛ישׁ לָכִ֜ישׁ לָכִ֣ישׁ לָכִ֥ישׁ לָכִ֨ישָׁה ׀ לָכִישׁ֙ לכיש לכישה ללכיש׃ מִלָּכִ֖ישׁ מִלָּכִ֧ישׁ מִלָּכִֽישׁ׃ מלכיש מלכיש׃ lā·ḵî·šāh lā·ḵîš laChish laChishah lāḵîš lāḵîšāh lə·lā·ḵîš lelaChish ləlāḵîš mil·lā·ḵîš millaChish millāḵîšInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts