Achzib is a name that appears in the Bible, referring to two distinct locations within the ancient land of Israel. The name Achzib is derived from a Hebrew root meaning "deceptive" or "disappointing," which may reflect the historical or geographical characteristics of these places.

1. Achzib in Judah: This Achzib is mentioned in the context of the tribal allotments in the Book of Joshua. It is located in the lowland region of the tribe of Judah. Joshua 15:44 lists Achzib among the cities in the Shephelah, or the lowland district: "Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah—nine cities, along with their villages" . The mention of Achzib in this context suggests it was a settlement of some significance during the period of the Israelite conquest and settlement of Canaan.

2. Achzib in Asher: Another Achzib is found in the territory allotted to the tribe of Asher. This Achzib is mentioned in Joshua 19:29 as part of the boundary description of Asher's inheritance: "The boundary then turned to Ramah and to the fortified city of Tyre. It turned toward Hosah and ended at the sea in the region of Achzib" . This location is near the Mediterranean coast, indicating its strategic importance and potential involvement in maritime activities.

The Achzib in Asher is also referenced in the Book of Judges, where it is noted that the tribe of Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of the land, including those in Achzib. Judges 1:31 states, "Asher failed to drive out the residents of Acco, Sidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, and Rehob" . This failure to fully conquer and settle the land as commanded by God is seen as a recurring theme in the Book of Judges, highlighting the incomplete obedience of the Israelites and the resulting consequences.

In the prophetic literature, Achzib is mentioned by the prophet Micah in a context that plays on the meaning of its name. Micah 1:14 states, "Therefore, you will give parting gifts to Moresheth Gath. The houses of Achzib will prove deceptive to the kings of Israel" . Here, Achzib is used symbolically to represent disappointment and unfulfilled expectations, possibly reflecting its historical role or the experiences of its inhabitants.

Achzib's historical and geographical significance is further underscored by its mention in extra-biblical sources and archaeological findings, which suggest it was a site of habitation and activity during various periods of ancient history. Its dual mention in the tribal allotments of Judah and Asher highlights the complex and often overlapping territorial claims and settlements in ancient Israel.Achzib

liar; lying; one that runs

Achzib

(lying, false).

1. A city in the lowlands of Judah, named with Keilah and Mareshah. (Joshua 15:44; Micah 1:14) It is probably the same with CHEZIB and CHOZEBA, which see.
2. A town belonging to Asher, (Joshua 19:29) from which the Canaanites were not expelled, (Judges 1:31) afterwards Ecdippa. It is now es-Zib , on the seashore, 2h. 20m. north of Acre.

Achzib

A city of Asher, from which, however, the Jews were unable to expel the Canaanites, Jude 1:31. It was afterwards called by the Greeks, Ecdippa, and is now named Zib; it lay on the seacoast, ten miles north of Acre.

Falsehood.

(1.) A town in the Shephelah, or plain country of Judah (Joshua 15:44); probably the same as Chezib of Genesis 38:5 = Ain Kezbeh.

(2.) A Phoenician city (the Gr. Ecdippa), always retained in their possession though assigned to the tribe of Asher (Joshua 19:29; Judges 1:31). It is identified with the modern es-Zib, on the Mediterranean, about 8 miles north of Accho.

ACHZIB

ak'-zib ('akhzibh, "lying" or "disappointing"): The name of two towns in Palestine:

(1) A town in western Judah in the lowlands, mentioned in connection with Mareshah and Keilah as one of the cities allotted to Judah (Joshua 15:44), and in Micah (1:14), where it suggests play upon its meaning, "deceptive" or "failing," possibly the place having received its name from a winter spring or brook, which failed in summer. It is also called Chezib (kezibh (Genesis 38:5)), where Judah was at the time of the birth of his son Shelah. In 1 Chronicles 4:22 it is called Cozeba, the King James Version "Chozeba" (kozebha'), clearly seen to be the same as Achzib, from the places with which it is grouped.

(2) It has been identified with the modern `Ayin-Kezbeh in the valley of Elah, and north of Adullam.

Edward Mack

(3) Mod Zib Septuagint variously: Joshua 19:29, Codex Vaticanus, Echozob, Codex Alexandrinus, Achzeiph; Judges 1:31, Codex Vaticanus, Aschazei, Codex Alexandrinus, Aschendei, Greek Ecdippa: A small town some miles north of Acre on the coast. It is mentioned in Joshua 19:29 as falling within the possessions of the tribe of Asher, but they never occupied it, as they did not the neighboring Acre (Acco). The Phoenician inhabitants of the coast were too strongly entrenched to be driven out by a people who had no fleet. The cities on the coast doubtless aided one another, and Sidon had become rich and powerful before this and could succor such a small town in case of attack. Achzib was a coast town, nine miles north of Acco, now known as Ez-Zib. It appears in the Assyrian inscriptions as Aksibi and Sennacherib enumerates it among the Phoenician towns that he took at the same times as Acco (702 B.C.). It was never important and is now an insignificant village among the sand dunes of the coast. It was the bordertown of Galilee on the west, what lay beyond being unholy ground.

H. Porter

392. Akzib -- "deceptive," two places in Palestine
... Akzib. 393 . "deceptive," two places in Palestine. Transliteration: Akzib Phonetic
Spelling: (ak-zeeb') Short Definition: Achzib. ... NASB Word Usage Achzib (4). ...
/hebrew/392.htm - 6k

Ecdippa. Achzib. Joshua 19:29; Judges 1:31 Climax of the Tyrians.
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 61-70 Chapter 65 Ecdippa. Achzib. Joshua
19:29; Judges 1:31. Climax of the Tyrians. "Travelling ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 65 ecdippa achzib joshua.htm

From the Talmud and Hebraica
... Chapter 64 Acon. Ptolemais. Chapter 65 Ecdippa. Achzib. Joshua 19:29; Judges 1:31.
Climax of the Tyrians. Chapter 66 The northern coasts of Galilee. Amanah. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/

Chapter xxxviii
... Since "Chezib," or Achzib, could mean "town of lies" or "Lieham" (KC, Lugheim),
the insertion of its name as suggestive of Judah's deception in the matter of ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxviii.htm

The Testament of Judah Concerning Fortitude, and Love of Money ...
... c. 12; also Chezib (Genesis 38:5), Chozeba (1 Chronicles 4:22), and Achzib (Joshua
15:44; Micah 1:14), all of which are probably different names for the same ...
/.../iv the testament of judah concerning.htm

Achzib (4 Occurrences)
... Accho. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ACHZIB. ak ... attack. Achzib was a coast
town, nine miles north of Acco, now known as Ez-Zib. It ...
/a/achzib.htm - 10k

Aczib (4 Occurrences)
... Aczib (4 Occurrences). Joshua 15:44 Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with
their villages. ... It ended at the sea by the region of Achzib; (See NIV). ...
/a/aczib.htm - 7k

Mareshah (8 Occurrences)
... ma-re'-sha (mareshah; Septuagint: Codex Vaticanus Bathesar; Codex Alexandrinus Maresa):
A town in the Shephelah of Judah named with Keilah and Achzib (Joshua 15 ...
/m/mareshah.htm - 11k

Chozeba (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (1 Chronicles 4:22), the same as Chezib and Achzib, a
place in the lowlands of Judah (Genesis 38:5; Joshua 15:44). Int. ...
/c/chozeba.htm - 7k

Chezib (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Deceitful, a town where Shelah, the son of Judah, was
born (Genesis 38:5). Probably the same as Achzib (qv). ... ke'-zib. See ACHZIB (1). ...
/c/chezib.htm - 7k

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

Keilah (16 Occurrences)
... Keilah (16 Occurrences). Joshua 15:44 Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities
with their villages. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/k/keilah.htm - 15k

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Kei'lah (16 Occurrences). Joshua 15:44 and Keilah, and
Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages. (See RSV). ...
/k/kei'lah.htm - 10k

Unwalled (39 Occurrences)
... unwalled places. (BBE). Joshua 15:44 And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah;
nine towns with their unwalled places. (BBE). Joshua 15 ...
/u/unwalled.htm - 17k

Outgoings (21 Occurrences)
... coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah;
and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib: (KJV YLT ...
/o/outgoings.htm - 12k

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