Lexical Summary Beth Maakah: Beth Maakah Original Word: בֵּית מַעֲכָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Beth-maachah From bayith and Ma'akah; house of Maakah; Beth-Maakah, a place in Palestine -- Beth-maachah. see HEBREW bayith see HEBREW Ma'akah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom bayith and Maakah Definition "house of Maakah," a place in N. Isr. NASB Translation Beth-maacah (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs בֵּית מַעֲכָה proper name, of a location so only ׳מ ׳אָבֵ֫לָה וּב 2 Samuel 20:14, where read as in 2 Samuel 20:15 and in ׳מ ׳אָבֵל בּ 1 Kings 15:20; 2 Kings 15:29 Abel of Beth Maacah; with ָ ה locative; הַמַּעֲכָה ׳אָבֵ֫לָה בּ 2 Samuel 20:15; compare below II.אָבֵל. Topical Lexicon Designation and Setting Beth Maacah, normally appearing in Scripture as part of the compound place-name “Abel-beth-maacah,” lay on Israel’s northern frontier, probably at modern Tell Abil el-Qamh in Upper Galilee. Overlooking the Huleh Valley and commanding the road system that linked Phoenicia with Damascus, the site held enduring strategic value. Biblical Occurrences Under Strong’s entry 1038 “Beth Maacah” stands alone only twice, both within the record of Sheba son of Bichri’s rebellion. The ensuing negotiation by the “wise woman” of the city led to Sheba’s execution and the swift end of the revolt (2 Samuel 20:16-22). Although Strong’s 1038 covers only these two verses, the same town later appears under related lexemes during Aramean and Assyrian invasions (1 Kings 15:20; 2 Kings 15:29), confirming its ongoing military importance. Historical Background The name preserves memory of the neighboring kingdom of Maacah (Deuteronomy 3:14; Joshua 12:5). By David’s reign Beth Maacah was an Israelite possession yet enough of a border stronghold for a fugitive to hope for asylum. In the divided monarchy it became a pawn between Israel and Aram-Damascus and was eventually overrun by Tiglath-pileser III. Strategic and Military Significance 1. Refuge and Fortification – Sheba chose the city precisely because its walls were reputedly formidable. Archaeological Insights Excavations at Tell Abil el-Qamh have uncovered Iron-Age fortification lines, a siege ramp, and destruction layers dating to the ninth and eighth centuries BC, matching biblical notices of successive attacks. Ceramic and architectural finds show a flourishing, continuously occupied settlement. Theological and Ministry Applications • Providence in Politics – The Lord used a single wise woman to secure the city, protect innocent lives, and preserve the Davidic throne, demonstrating that God governs national crises through unexpected instruments. Later Tradition Jewish expositors dubbed Abel-beth-maacah “a mother in Israel” (2 Samuel 20:19), hinting that the settlement was once a center of counsel. Early Christian pilgrims reported extensive ruins still called “Abel,” preserving memory of the biblical town. Summary Beth Maacah was far more than a geographic footnote. Its location made it a perennial flashpoint where international ambitions and covenant history converged. The narratives surrounding it affirm God’s sovereign ability to steer political upheaval toward His redemptive purposes and highlight the abiding power of wisdom to secure peace within the gates. Forms and Transliterations הַֽמַּעֲכָ֔ה המעכה מַעֲכָ֖ה מעכה ham·ma·‘ă·ḵāh hamma‘ăḵāh hammaaChah ma‘ăḵāh ma·‘ă·ḵāh maaChahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 20:14 HEB: אָבֵ֛לָה וּבֵ֥ית מַעֲכָ֖ה וְכָל־ הַבֵּרִ֑ים NAS: to Abel, even Beth-maacah, and all KJV: unto Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: INT: of Israel to Abel Beth-maacah and all the Berites 2 Samuel 20:15 2 Occurrences |
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