Overview:
Accho, known in modern times as Acre, is an ancient city located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in present-day northern Israel. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the world and holds significant historical and biblical importance. In biblical times, Accho was a prominent city in the region of Phoenicia, which was known for its maritime trade and cultural influence.

Biblical References:
Accho is mentioned in the Old Testament in the Book of Judges. In Judges 1:31 , it is noted: "Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Accho or of Sidon or of Ahlab or of Achzib or of Helbah or of Aphik or of Rehob." This passage highlights the failure of the tribe of Asher to fully conquer and possess the land allotted to them, as they did not expel the Canaanite inhabitants from these cities, including Accho.

Historical Context:
Accho's strategic location on the Mediterranean coast made it a vital port city throughout ancient history. It was part of the territory assigned to the tribe of Asher, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, during the conquest of Canaan. However, as noted in the Book of Judges, the tribe of Asher did not succeed in taking full control of the city, which remained under Canaanite influence.

Throughout its history, Accho was influenced by various empires and cultures, including the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans. Each of these civilizations left its mark on the city, contributing to its rich and diverse cultural heritage.

Significance in Christian Tradition:
From a conservative Christian perspective, Accho serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the Israelites in fully obeying God's commands to conquer and inhabit the Promised Land. The failure of the tribe of Asher to drive out the inhabitants of Accho and other cities is seen as a reflection of incomplete obedience and the consequences of allowing pagan influences to persist within the land.

Accho's mention in the Bible, though brief, underscores the broader narrative of Israel's struggle to maintain faithfulness to God's covenant amidst external pressures and internal weaknesses. The city's enduring presence through the ages also testifies to the historical reliability of the biblical record, as it continues to be a significant location in the modern world.

Archaeological Insights:
Archaeological excavations in and around Accho have uncovered layers of history that align with its biblical and historical accounts. Artifacts from various periods, including Canaanite, Phoenician, and Roman, have been discovered, providing insight into the city's long-standing role as a center of trade and culture.

Modern Relevance:
Today, Acre (Accho) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and vibrant cultural scene. It remains a testament to the city's historical significance and its enduring legacy as a crossroads of civilizations. For Christians, Accho serves as a tangible link to the biblical past and a reminder of the enduring truths found in Scripture.Accho

close; pressed together

Accho

(the PTOLEMAIS of the Maccabees and New Testament), Now called Acca , or more usually by Europeans St. Jean dAcre , the most important seaport town on the Syrian coast, about 30 miles south of Tyre. It was situated on a slightly projecting headland, at the northern extremity of that spacious bay which is formed by the bold promontory of Carmel on the opposite side. Later it was named Ptolemais, after one of the Ptolemies, probably Soter. The only notice of it in the New Testament is in (Acts 21:7) where it is called Ptolemais .

Accho

A city of the tribe of Asher, Jude 1:31. In the New Testament, Accho is called Ptolemais, Acts 21:7; from one of the Ptolemais, who enlarged and beautified it. The crusaders gave it the name of Acre, of St. John of Acre. It is still called Akka by the Turks. It sustained several sieges during the crusades, and was the last fortified place wrested from the Christians by the Turks.

The town is situated on the coast of the Mediterranean sea, thirty miles south of Tyre, on the north angle of a bay to which it gives its name, and which extends in a semicircle of three leagues, as far as the point of Mount Carmel, south-west of Acre. After its memorable siege by Bonaparte, when he was repulsed by Sir Sidney Smith, in 1799, Accho was much improved and strengthened, and its population was estimated at from 18,000 to 20,000. It has since then suffered greatly, having been besieged six months by Ibrahim Pacha, in 1832, and bombarded by an English fleet in 1840. Present population, (1859), 10,000 or 12,000.

Accho and all the seacoast beyond it northwards, was considered as the heathen land of the Jews.

Sultry or sandy, a town and harbour of Phoenicia, in the tribe of Asher, but never acquired by them (Judges 1:31). It was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans by the name of Ptolemais, from Ptolemy the king of Egypt, who rebuilt it about B.C. 100. Here Paul landed on his last journey to Jerusalem (Acts 21:7). During the crusades of the Middle Ages it was called Acra; and subsequently, on account of its being occupied by the Knights Hospitallers of Jerusalem, it was called St. Jean d'Acre, or simply Acre. 5910. Akko -- a city in Asher
... Acco. Apparently from an unused root meaning to hem in; Akko (from its situation
on a bay) -- Accho. 5909, 5910. Akko. 5911 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5910.htm - 5k

A Farewell
... The family were to sail away at evening, and all their goods were on the barque
which lay at anchor by the quay to take them to the port of Accho. ...
/.../gathering clouds a tale of the days of st chrysostom/chapter xli a farewell.htm

Accho (1 Occurrence)
... called St. Jean d'Acre, or simply Acre. Multi-Version Concordance Accho
(1 Occurrence). Judges 1:31 Neither did Asher drive out the ...
/a/accho.htm - 7k

Accident (3 Occurrences)

/a/accident.htm - 8k

Accessories (8 Occurrences)

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Zidon (25 Occurrences)
... Judges 1:31 Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants
of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor ...
/z/zidon.htm - 17k

Ptolemais (2 Occurrences)
... A maritime city of Galilee (Acts 21:7). It was originally called "Accho" (qv), and
received the name Ptolemais from Ptolemy Soter when he was in possession of ...
/p/ptolemais.htm - 7k

Cabul (2 Occurrences)
... A town on the eastern border of Asher (Joshua 19:27), probably one of the towns
given by Solomon to Hiram; the modern Kabul, some 8 miles east of Accho, on the ...
/c/cabul.htm - 8k

Acco (2 Occurrences)
... ak'-o (`akko; [`Akcho]; Ake Ptolemais; Modern Arabic `Akka, English Acre; the King
James Version Accho): A town on the Syrian coast a few miles north of Carmel ...
/a/acco.htm - 13k

Achshaph (3 Occurrences)
... It was in the eastern boundary of the tribe of Asher, and is identified with
the modern ruined village of Kesaf or Yasif, NE of Accho. Int. ...
/a/achshaph.htm - 8k

Achzib (4 Occurrences)
... It is identified with the modern es-Zib, on the Mediterranean, about 8 miles
north of Accho. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ACHZIB. ...
/a/achzib.htm - 10k

Abdon (8 Occurrences)
... 74). The ruins of Abdeh, some 8 miles north-east of Accho, probably Mark
its site. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ABDON (1). ab ...
/a/abdon.htm - 13k

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