Original Word: לֵכָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: lekah
Pronunciation: leh'-kakh
Phonetic Spelling: (lay-kaw')
KJV: Lecah
NASB: Lecah
Word Origin: [from H3212 (יָלַך - To go)]

1. a journey
2. Lekah, a place in Israel

a journey; Lekah, a place in Palestine

From yalak; a journey; Lekah, a place in Palestine:

see HEBREW yalak

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a place in Judah
NASB Translation
Lecah (1).

לֵכָה proper name, of a location in Judah 1 Chronicles 4:21; unknown. ᵐ5 Ληχα, Λαιχα.

Biblical Occurrence

The proper name לֵכָה (Strong’s H3922, transliterated “Lecah” or “Lekah”) appears once in the Old Testament, within a genealogical register of the tribe of Judah: “The sons of Shelah son of Judah were Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah…” (1 Chronicles 4:21). In this context Lecah designates a settlement whose founding clan traced its ancestry to Er, grandson of Judah.

Historical Setting

1 Chronicles 4 records Judahite family lines that flourished in the period between the Conquest and the early monarchy, preserving the territorial claims of various sub-clans. These genealogies were compiled after the exile (compare 1 Chronicles 9:1) to affirm continuity between the pre-exilic tribe and the post-exilic community. Lecah’s inclusion signals that even minor towns were remembered as integral parts of Judah’s heritage.

Location and Geography

The exact site of Lecah is uncertain. Its pairing with Mareshah, Beth Ashbea, and other Shephelah towns suggests a position in the lowland region southwest of Jerusalem. Archaeological surveys have proposed various tells in the vicinity of Mareshah–Bet Guvrin, but no identification is definitive. Its obscurity underscores how many small Judahite centers have yet to be unearthed or positively matched to the biblical record.

Genealogical and Covenant Importance

Although the Messianic line runs through Perez (Ruth 4:18–22; Matthew 1:3), the Chronicler devotes space to Shelah’s posterity to demonstrate that all branches of Judah were covenant heirs. By naming Lecah, Scripture affirms:

1. The breadth of God’s faithfulness—every family is accounted for (Isaiah 49:6).
2. The stability of land allotments—inheritance rights were preserved despite exile and upheaval (Ezekiel 47:14).
3. The dignity of ordinary communities—God’s redemptive account includes places that scarcely appear elsewhere.

Occupational Associations

The broader Shelahite paragraph lists “the clans of the linen workers at Beth Ashbea” and “the potters who lived at Netaim and Gederah” (1 Chronicles 4:21–23). While Lecah’s specific craft is not identified, its placement among artisan settlements hints that its inhabitants contributed specialized skills to Judah’s economy and temple service (compare 1 Chronicles 4:23, “they lived there with the king for his work,”).

Theological Themes

• Divine Memory: Even a village noted only once is eternally inscribed in Scripture (Malachi 3:16).
• Community Identity: Genealogies foster corporate responsibility; Lecah’s founders are remembered so later generations know their roots (Nehemiah 7:5).
• Integration of Work and Worship: The clustering of craft-oriented towns around Lecah illustrates how everyday labor supported sacred life (Exodus 31:1–11; Colossians 3:23).

Lessons for Ministry Today

1. Pastoral Care for the Overlooked—Small congregations and unnoticed believers are not marginal to God’s purposes (1 Corinthians 12:22).
2. Record-Keeping as Stewardship—Maintaining accurate church rolls and local histories honors God’s pattern of remembrance.
3. Vocational Calling—Like the artisans near Lecah, believers integrate skill and service, making vocation an act of worship (Romans 12:1).

Connections in Scripture

• Judahite Genealogies: Genesis 46:12; Numbers 26:20–21; 1 Chronicles 2:3–4; 4:21–23.
• Post-Exilic Continuity: 1 Chronicles 9:4–5; Nehemiah 11:5.
• Artisan Service: Exodus 31:1–6; 2 Chronicles 2:13–14.

Summary

Though Lecah stands in Scripture as a single-mention town, it bears enduring witness to God’s comprehensive covenant, validating every clan, craft, and corner of Judah’s inheritance. By preserving Lecah’s name, the Holy Spirit assures believers that no place or person hidden from human notice is forgotten in the unfolding plan of redemption.

לֵכָ֔ה לכה lê·ḵāh leChah lêḵāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts