Original Word: מַקֵּדָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Maqqedah
Pronunciation: mahk-kay-DAH
Phonetic Spelling: (mak-kay-daw')
KJV: Makkedah
NASB: Makkedah
Word Origin: [from the same as H5348 (נָקוֹד - speckled) in the denominative sense of herding]

1. fold
2. Makkedah, a place in Israel

Makkedah

From the same as naqod in the denominative sense of herding (compare noqed); fold; Makkedah, a place in Palestine -- Makkedah.

see HEBREW naqod

see HEBREW noqed

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a place in Judah
NASB Translation
Makkedah (9).

מַקֵּדָה proper name, of a location in Judah Joshua 15:41, near Beth Horon Joshua 10:10, and Libnah Joshua 10:29, where was a cave Joshua 10:16; Joshua 10:17, compare Joshua 10:21, captured by Joshua Joshua 10:28, with a king Joshua 10:28; Joshua 12:16. ᵐ5 Μακηδα. Site dubious, Warren;Survey Mem.ii. 411 ff., 427 compare El-mughâr, approximately 2 4-Marmiles southwest from Ekron.

מִקְדָּשׁ see קדשׁ.

מַקְהֵלִים, I, II. מַקְהֵלֹת vide קהל.

מִקְוֶא, I, II. מִקְוֶה, מִקְרָה see קוה.

מָקוֺם see קוּם. מָקוֺר see קור.

[מִקָּח, מִקָּחָה] see לקח

[מִקְטָר], מִקְטֶ֫רֶת see קטר

Geographical Setting

Makkedah was a fortified city in the Shephelah of Judah, roughly midway between the Mediterranean coast and the Judean highlands. Its proximity to Azekah, Libnah, Beth Horon, and the Valley of Aijalon places it along the main ascent routes used by invading armies. Most scholars identify the site with modern Khirbet el-Mughâr, where caves and defensive walls offer striking topographical agreement with the biblical narrative.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Joshua 10:10
2. Joshua 10:16
3. Joshua 10:17
4. Joshua 10:21
5. Joshua 10:28 (twice: narrative and summary)
6. Joshua 10:29
7. Joshua 12:16
8. Joshua 15:41

All nine references appear within Joshua’s record of the southern campaign and the subsequent tribal allotments.

The Battle and Pursuit (Joshua 10:10)

“ And the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, so that Joshua and the Israelites struck them with a very great slaughter at Gibeon and chased them along the road to Beth Horon and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah.”

Makkedah is the terminus of the miles-long rout that began at Gibeon. Its mention marks the outer limit of Israel’s pursuit, portraying the completeness of the divine victory.

The Cave of the Five Kings (Joshua 10:16–27)

After the miraculous hailstones and the prolonged daylight, the five Amorite kings seek refuge “in the cave at Makkedah.” Joshua orders the cave mouth sealed with large stones and guarded until the battle is over. Returning later, he brings the kings out, places their necks under the feet of Israelite commanders, executes them with the sword, hangs their bodies on trees until evening, and finally casts their corpses back into the cave, sealing it permanently.

Key theological emphases emerge:
• Public humiliation of covenant-breakers (cf. Deuteronomy 7:2)
• Assurance of future victories (“Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous, for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies” – Joshua 10:25)
• Careful obedience to the command to remove the bodies by sunset, underscoring fidelity to Deuteronomy 21:22–23.

Capture and Destruction of the City (Joshua 10:28)

“On that day Joshua captured Makkedah and put it to the sword, along with its king. He devoted to destruction everyone in it, leaving no survivors.”

The fall of the city itself follows the execution of the kings, demonstrating the inseparable link between spiritual authority and military success in the conquest narrative.

Strategic Pivot to Libnah (Joshua 10:29)

From Makkedah Joshua advances to Libnah, indicating that Makkedah served as a staging ground. The rapid movement speaks to the logistical competence granted to Israel and the collapsing resistance of Canaanite coalitions.

Catalogue of the Conquered (Joshua 12:16)

“The king of Makkedah, one.” In the summary list of defeated monarchs, the brevity underscores the finality of God’s judgment and the completeness of Israel’s possession.

Inheritance of Judah (Joshua 15:41)

Makkedah reappears among the lowland towns allotted to Judah. The transition from enemy stronghold to covenant inheritance exemplifies the redemptive aim of the conquest—to turn contested spaces into places of covenant worship and communal life.

Theological Significance

1. Divine Sovereignty: The LORD’s direct intervention (confusion, hail, extended daylight) culminates at Makkedah, accenting His control over nature and nations.
2. Covenant Obedience: Joshua’s rigorous application of Torah commands at Makkedah reinforces the pattern of blessing through obedience (Joshua 1:7–8).
3. Foreshadowing Judgment: The sealed cave bearing the executed kings prefigures the ultimate fate of all hostile powers, anticipating the New Testament theme that Christ “disarmed the rulers and authorities” (Colossians 2:15).

Archaeological and Historical Notes

While excavation is limited, Khirbet el-Mughâr yields Late Bronze pottery and massive rock-hewn caves, aligning with the biblical description. The enduring cave-sealed tomb offers a tangible reminder of the narrative.

Ministry Applications

• Spiritual Leadership: Joshua’s calm authority at Makkedah models decisive, Scripture-guided leadership.
• Courage under Conflict: The city’s account encourages believers to pursue obedience despite overwhelming opposition, trusting divine initiative.
• Memorialization: Just as the cave became a standing testimony, the church is called to mark God’s deliverances, cultivating corporate memory that fuels future faith.

Lessons for Today

Makkedah urges God’s people to confront entrenched strongholds with confidence in divine promises, to execute justice in line with revealed truth, and to convert places of former rebellion into realms of righteous habitation and service.

בְּמַקֵּדָֽה׃ במקדה׃ וּמַקֵּדָ֑ה ומקדה מִמַּקֵּדָ֖ה מַקֵּדָ֔ה מַקֵּדָ֖ה מַקֵּדָֽה׃ מַקֵּדָה֙ מַקֵּדָה֩ ממקדה מקדה מקדה׃ bə·maq·qê·ḏāh bemakkeDah bəmaqqêḏāh makkeDah maq·qê·ḏāh maqqêḏāh mim·maq·qê·ḏāh mimakkeDah mimmaqqêḏāh ū·maq·qê·ḏāh umakkeDah ūmaqqêḏāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts