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Maacah (or Maakah; Hebrew: מַעֲכָה‎ Maʿăḵā, "crushed"; Maacha in the Codex Alexandrinus, Maachah in the KJV) is a non-gender-specific personal name used in the Bible to refer to a number of people.

The name is also used to refer to:

References

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Maacah

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Maacah (Hebrew: מַעֲכָה) is a name that appears in the , referring to a small Aramean kingdom located in the northern south of , as well as to several individuals, predominantly women connected to the royal houses of and Judah. The kingdom of Maacah, often mentioned alongside the neighboring state of , was not conquered by the Israelite tribes of , Gad, or Manasseh, remaining an independent entity during the early monarchic period. The kingdom of Maacah played a minor but notable role in biblical , allying with the Ammonites and other Aramean states against King during his campaign east of the , contributing 1,000 troops to the coalition (2 10:6; 1 Chronicles 19:7). Following 's victory, Maacah likely became a tributary to , though it retained some until being absorbed into the expanding Aramean kingdom of sometime after the reign of . Archaeological evidence from sites like Abel-beth-maacah (Tel Abel Beth Maacah) in northern suggests the region was a area between Israelite and Aramean influences, with artifacts indicating cultural interactions during the . Recent excavations (as of 2025) have uncovered additional artifacts, including a Roman boundary stone and installations, underscoring the site's role as a cultural crossroads. Among the individuals named Maacah, two stand out for their prominence in royal narratives. Maacah, daughter of Talmai king of , was one of ’s wives and the mother of his third son, , and daughter Tamar, forging a diplomatic marriage alliance between and Geshur (2 3:3; 1 Chronicles 3:2). Another Maacah, daughter of (possibly the son of ’s Maacah) and of , married King of Judah and became the influential (gebirah) during the reigns of her son and grandson Asa, though she was deposed by Asa for fashioning an idolatrous image of the goddess (1 Kings 15:2, 10–13; 2 Chronicles 11:20–22, 15:16). Other figures include Maacah as a concubine of (1 Chronicles 2:48), wife of Machir son of Manasseh (1 Chronicles 7:15–16), and a son of Abraham’s brother Nahor (Genesis 22:24), among lesser-mentioned persons tied to tribal lineages or officials.

Biblical Figures Named Maacah

Maacah, Wife of David

Maacah was the third wife of King , listed among his marriages during his time in . She is identified as the daughter of Talmai, the king of , a small Aramean kingdom located northeast of the . This union likely served as a political alliance, strengthening David's position in the region by forging ties with Geshurite royalty during his early kingship over Judah. Such diplomatic marriages were common in the ancient Near East to secure borders and mutual support against common enemies. As David's wife, Maacah bore him two children: a son, , who was the third in birth order among David's sons born in , and a daughter, Tamar. Absalom's royal Geshurite lineage through his mother may have contributed to his sense of entitlement and ambition, playing a role in the familial tensions that later erupted in his against . The assault on Tamar by her half-brother , another of David's sons, further highlighted the fractured dynamics within the royal household, with Absalom's subsequent revenge killing of Amnon exacerbating the divisions stemming from these interconnected relationships. The provides no record of Maacah's death or her activities later in David's reign, leaving her influence primarily tied to the diplomatic benefits of her and the lasting impact of her children on the narrative of David's . Her Geshurite heritage, while facilitating alliances, also introduced elements of foreign influence into the Israelite monarchy, as seen in Absalom's eventual flight to his maternal grandfather's court in after killing .

Maacah, Consort of Rehoboam

Maacah served as a prominent consort to King of Judah, the son of , during the early years of the divided monarchy following the death of around 931 BCE. As recorded in 2 Chronicles 11:20, took Maacah as one of his wives, and she became his favorite among his eighteen wives and sixty concubines, bearing him several sons. This marriage positioned Maacah within the Davidic royal line, helping to consolidate legitimacy in the southern amid the schism with the northern tribes under . Biblical texts present variations in Maacah's parentage that have prompted scholarly analysis of her genealogy. In 2 Chronicles 11:20 and 1 Kings 15:2, she is identified as the daughter of (also rendered Abishalom), while 2 Chronicles 13:2 names her , daughter of of . These discrepancies arise from the flexible biblical usage of "daughter" to denote granddaughter or female descendant, a common convention in ancient Near Eastern genealogies. Scholars resolve this by tracing Maacah as the granddaughter of —David's rebellious son whose uprising nearly toppled the throne (2 Samuel 15–18)—through Absalom's only daughter, Tamar, who married of . Abishalom is understood as a variant or abbreviated form of Absalom, linking the accounts without contradiction. This lineage, confirmed by ancient historian in (8.10.1), underscores Maacah's Davidic heritage, making her union with a strategic reinforcement of royal purity in the post-Solomon era. Maacah was the mother of (also called Abijam in Kings), who succeeded as king of Judah and reigned for three years (ca. 913–911 BCE). 2 Chronicles 11:22 notes that appointed as ruler over his brothers due to Maacah's favored status, highlighting her influence in designating the heir during a precarious period of border conflicts with the north. Through , Maacah contributed to the continuity of the Davidic dynasty, ensuring the southern kingdom's adherence to the covenant promises of divine favor outlined in 2 Samuel 7. Her role exemplified the importance of royal consorts in stabilizing the early Judahite monarchy against threats of fragmentation.

Maacah, Mother of King Asa

Maacah is identified in the as the mother of King of Judah, according to 1 Kings 15:10, which states that Asa's mother was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom. This identification is echoed in 2 Chronicles 11:22, where Maacah's son is elevated as a potential successor to , implying her continued influence in the royal line. This Maacah is the same as Rehoboam's consort (with in 2 Chronicles 13:2 as a variant name or lineage clarification), who served as () during the reigns of her son Abijah and grandson Asa. As , or , during Asa's reign, Maacah held significant cultic authority, promoting idolatrous practices that included crafting a miphlazeth—an abominable image or idol—for the goddess , as described in 1 Kings 15:13 and 2 Chronicles 15:16. This act symbolized her devotion to Asherah worship, a Canaanite fertility deity often paired with in syncretic Israelite practices, blending Yahwistic traditions with foreign elements to challenge monotheistic purity. Her influence extended to installing the image within the temple precincts, fostering that integrated maternal and feminine divine motifs into Judah's . In response, Asa deposed Maacah from her position, a rare act underscoring the depth of his religious reforms, and personally destroyed the idol by cutting it down, pulverizing it to dust, and burning the remains in the . This removal symbolized the broader purge of high places, sacred poles, and idols across Judah and Benjamin, marking a pivotal shift toward centralized Yahwistic . Maacah's possible descent from linked her influence to earlier royal intrigues, amplifying the political stakes of her downfall. Maacah's tenure as gebirah spanned Asa's reign, approximately 911–870 BCE, a period of relative stability in Judah amid ongoing tensions with the northern kingdom. Her actions and subsequent fate are interpreted in Chronicles as a cautionary narrative against syncretism, illustrating how feminine cultic agency could disrupt patrilineal order and divine fidelity, ultimately reinforcing Asa's reforms as a model of covenant renewal.

Other Biblical Mentions

In addition to the more prominent figures, the name Maacah appears in several genealogical contexts in the , referring to lesser-known women without associated narratives or roles. One such mention is Maacah, identified as a child of Nahor—Abraham's brother—and his concubine Reumah, listed among the descendants in the patriarchal (Genesis 22:24). Another reference occurs in the Manassite tribal , where a Maacah is named as the of Machir (1 Chronicles 7:15), and Maacah the of Machir bore him sons Peresh and Sheresh (1 Chronicles 7:16), contributing to the lineage of the east of the . Within the Judahite genealogies, a Maacah is noted as a concubine of son of Hezron, by whom she bore Sheber—the father of Madmannah—and Tirhanah, placing her in the broader ancestral lines of the (1 Chronicles 2:48).

The Kingdom of Maacah

Biblical Descriptions

The kingdom of Maacah appears in the as an ancient Aramean located in the northern Transjordanian region, particularly associated with the area of and the Argob district, extending toward , , and the borders of . Its territory is depicted as initially conquered by Og, king of , whose domain included lands up to the boundaries of the Maacathites and neighboring Geshurites. Following the Israelite , this region was allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh east of the , encompassing , all of , and the areas of the Geshurites and Maacathites up to Salecah. However, the biblical narrative notes that the Israelites failed to fully dispossess the Maacathites, allowing them to remain as a semi-independent entity dwelling within Israelite-claimed lands. This incomplete underscores Maacah's portrayal as a peripheral resisting full integration into Israelite territories. Maacah's geopolitical role is further highlighted through its military alliances and conflicts with . During the reign of King , the kingdom joined an anti-Israelite coalition led by the Ammonites, who hired mercenaries including the king of Maacah and his 1,000 men, alongside forces from Aram-Maacah, , Beth-rehob, Tob, and , totaling tens of thousands of troops supported by chariots and foot soldiers. The Maacathite forces encamped with allies near the Ammonite gate and in open country, preparing for battle against , but Joab's forces defeated them decisively, causing the and Ammonites to flee. A subsequent Syrian reinforcement effort also ended in rout, with slaying thousands and compelling the allied kings, including those from Maacah's sphere, to sue for peace and submit to Israelite , thereby halting further support for Ammon. This episode illustrates Maacah as a regional power capable of contributing to broader Aramean resistance against Israelite expansion. Key settlements linked to Maacah, such as Abel Beth Maacah (also called Abel of Beth Maacah), are situated within the territory of in northern , reflecting the kingdom's influence extending westward across the . During Sheba's rebellion against , this city served as a refuge where Sheba rallied supporters, prompting to besiege it with siege ramps and battering tools until a local intervention ended the threat. Later, in the divided monarchy period, Ben-Hadad I of captured Abel Beth Maacah as part of a broader campaign against northern Israelite cities like Ijon, Dan, and Chinneroth, fulfilling an alliance with Judah's King Asa. Similarly, Assyrian king conquered the city during his invasion of and , deporting its inhabitants alongside those from Janoah, , and Hazor. These events portray Maacah's associated cities as strategic border points repeatedly contested in conflicts between , Aram, and emerging empires, emphasizing the kingdom's role as a in biblical .

Historical and Archaeological Context

The Kingdom of Maacah was a small Aramaean micro-kingdom situated in the northern Transjordan region, encompassing parts of the Golan Heights and the Upper Galilee's Hula Valley, during the Iron Age from the 10th to 8th centuries BCE. Its territory bordered the Kingdom of Israel to the south, Aram-Damascus to the east, and Geshur to the southwest, positioning it as a strategic buffer in the volatile ancient Near Eastern landscape. This location facilitated interactions, including possible alliances and conflicts with expanding Davidic Israel around 1000 BCE, as suggested by regional power dynamics in the early Iron Age. Extra-biblical attestations of Maacah appear in ancient Near Eastern records, providing independent corroboration of its existence as a distinct . Later, Assyrian annals under (745–727 BCE) reference the conquest of territories, including areas aligned with Maacah, during his western campaigns. No direct mention Maacah, though the kingdom's Aramaean cultural affiliations link it broadly to Northwest Semitic traditions in the Late Bronze to transition. Archaeological investigations at Tel Abel Beth Maacah (modern Tell Abil el-Qamh), identified as the kingdom's likely capital, reveal substantial remains supporting its role as a fortified settlement. Excavations since 2012 by the and have uncovered fortifications, including a large on the site's summit, typical of Aramaean defensive architecture from the 10th–9th centuries BCE. Abundant pottery sherds, including Phoenician-style imports and local wheel-thrown wares, indicate trade networks and cultural exchanges with neighboring regions like and . Multiple destruction layers, dated via and radiocarbon to the 9th–8th centuries BCE, align with episodes of conflict, such as Aramean-Israelite wars, evidenced by burned structures and weapon finds. Ongoing excavations through 2025 have revealed additional features, including a unique installation with a plastered double basin and drain in the latest (Stratum A2), suggesting specialized functions such as industrial or use and highlighting local architectural innovations. A notable artifact from the 2017 season is a head of a bearded male, dated to the BCE through contextual and radiocarbon . Unearthed in a possible cultic room within , the 2-inch-tall fragment features elaborate Levantine royal : a striped , curled , and painted eyes suggesting high-status attire akin to depictions of rulers like Ahiram of or Hazael of . Scholars interpret it as portraying a local Maacah , potentially the "king of Abel Beth Maacah" referenced in biblical narratives, serving as a in a regional elite context. The kingdom's decline culminated in its conquest by Assyrian king around 732 BCE, as documented in his annals describing the subjugation of and deportation of populations from sites like Abel Beth Maacah. This event, corroborated by a destruction layer at the tel with Assyrian-style arrowheads, led to Maacah's incorporation into the Assyrian provincial system, with no archaeological evidence of independent continuity beyond the late 8th century BCE.

References

  1. https://www.bibleodyssey.org/dictionary/maacah/
  2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318281254_Aram-Maacah_Aramaeans_and_Israelites_on_the_Border_Excavations_at_Tell_Abil_al-Qameh_Abel-beth-maacah_in_Northern_Israel
  3. https://archaeologymag.com/2025/01/roman-boundary-stone-discovered-in-galilee/
  4. https://armstronginstitute.org/1328-a-3000-year-old-palace-on-israels-northern-frontier
  5. https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/maacah-bible
  6. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5597&context=pubs
  7. https://www.biblicalcyclopedia.com/M/ma_cah.html
  8. https://www.biblicaltraining.org/library/maacah
  9. https://apologeticspress.org/who-was-abijahs-grandfather-1435/
  10. https://biblehub.com/1_kings/15-10.htm
  11. https://bibleandcriticaltheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/vol3-no3-2007-transgression-of-macah-kelso-155-604-1-PB-1wbg6rt.pdf
  12. https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/chart-11-03a/
  13. https://biblehub.com/1_chronicles/7.htm
  14. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+3%3A14%3B+Joshua+12%3A5%3B+Joshua+13%3A11&version=ESV
  15. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+12%3A5&version=ESV
  16. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+13%3A11&version=ESV
  17. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+13%3A13&version=ESV
  18. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+3%3A14%3B+Joshua+13%3A13&version=ESV
  19. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+10%3A6-8%3B+1+Chronicles+19%3A6-7&version=ESV
  20. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+10%3A6-8%3B+1+Chronicles+19%3A8-14&version=ESV
  21. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+10%3A15-19%3B+1+Chronicles+19%3A15-19&version=ESV
  22. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+10%3A6-19%3B+1+Chronicles+19%3A6-19&version=ESV
  23. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+20%3A14-15%3B+1+Kings+15%3A20%3B+2+Kings+15%3A29&version=ESV
  24. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+20%3A14-15&version=ESV
  25. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+15%3A20&version=ESV
  26. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+15%3A29&version=ESV
  27. https://www.academia.edu/6262439/Northern_Exposure_Launching_Excavations_at_Tell_Abil_el_Qame%25E1%25B8%25A5_Abel_Beth_Maacah_
  28. https://www.abel-beth-maacah.org/
  29. https://archaeology.cornell.edu/tel-abel-beth-maacah
  30. https://biblearchaeologyreport.com/2019/11/08/tiglath-pileser-iii-an-archaeological-biography/
  31. https://archaeology.huji.ac.il/tel-abel-beth-maacah
  32. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03344355.2024.2385147
  33. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/who-was-the-king-of-abel-beth-maacah/
  34. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ojoa.12311
  35. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/news/iron-age-royal-abel-beth-maacah/
  36. https://cojs.org/tiglath-pileser_iii_and_the_syro-ephraimite_war-_kalah_palace_summary_inscription_4-_730_bce/
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