Beth-maacah, also known as Abel-beth-maacah, is a significant biblical location mentioned in the Old Testament. It is situated in the northern part of ancient Israel, near the border of modern-day Lebanon. The name "Beth-maacah" translates to "house of Maacah," indicating a possible connection to a person or a group named Maacah.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Samuel 20:14-15: Beth-maacah is prominently mentioned in the account of Sheba's rebellion against King David. Sheba, a Benjamite, led a revolt and sought refuge in Abel-beth-maacah. Joab, David's military commander, pursued Sheba to this fortified city. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel-beth-maacah, and all the Berites assembled and followed him. And Joab’s troops came and besieged Sheba in Abel-beth-maacah. They built a siege ramp against the outer rampart of the city, and all the troops with Joab were battering the wall to bring it down."

2. 2 Kings 15:29: The city is also mentioned during the reign of Pekah, king of Israel, when the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser III invaded the region. The BSB records: "In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee—all the land of Naphtali—and he took the people to Assyria."

Historical and Archaeological Insights:

Beth-maacah was strategically located, making it a significant site for military and political activities. Its position near the northern borders of Israel made it vulnerable to invasions and conflicts, as evidenced by its capture by the Assyrians.

Archaeological excavations at the site, identified with the modern-day Tell Abil el-Qameh, have revealed fortifications, pottery, and other artifacts that provide insights into the city's historical significance and its role in the region's geopolitical dynamics.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

Beth-maacah serves as a reminder of the turbulent history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, marked by internal strife and external threats. The city's mention in the context of Sheba's rebellion highlights the challenges faced by King David's administration in unifying the tribes of Israel.

Theologically, the events at Beth-maacah underscore themes of loyalty, rebellion, and divine providence. Joab's pursuit of Sheba and the subsequent negotiations with the city's wise woman (2 Samuel 20:16-22) illustrate the importance of wisdom and diplomacy in resolving conflicts.

Beth-maacah's capture by the Assyrians is a testament to the fulfillment of prophetic warnings about the consequences of Israel's disobedience and idolatry, leading to their eventual exile. This serves as a sobering reminder of the need for faithfulness to God's covenant.BETH-MAACAH

beth-ma'-a-ka.

See ABEL-BETH-MAACAH.

62. Abel Beth-maakah -- a city in Northern Israel
... a city in Northern Israel. Transliteration: Abel Beth-maakah Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-bale' bayth ma-a-kaw') Short Definition: Abel-beth-maacah. ...
/hebrew/62.htm - 6k

1038. Beth Maakah -- "house of Maakah," a place in Northern Israel
... "house of Maakah," a place in Northern Israel. Transliteration: Beth Maakah Phonetic
Spelling: (bayth mah-ak-aw') Short Definition: Beth-maacah. ...
/hebrew/1038.htm - 6k

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7. <. ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Bethmaacah
Bethmaacah. Beth-lomon, Bethmaacah. Beth-maacah . Int. ... beth-ma'-a-ka. See
ABEL-BETH-MAACAH. Beth-lomon, Bethmaacah. Beth-maacah . Reference Bible.
/b/bethmaacah.htm - 6k

Beth-maacah (1 Occurrence)
Beth-maacah. Bethmaacah, Beth-maacah. Beth-ma'acah . Int. ... (ASV BBE DBY JPS NAS).
Bethmaacah, Beth-maacah. Beth-ma'acah . Reference Bible.
/b/beth-maacah.htm - 7k

Abel-beth-maacah (2 Occurrences)
Abel-beth-maacah. Abelbethmaacah, Abel-beth-maacah. A'bel-Beth-Ma'acah .
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ABEL-BETH-MAACAH. ...
/a/abel-beth-maacah.htm - 8k

Abelbethmaacah
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ABEL-BETH-MAACAH. a'-bel ... article). In 20:14
it appears as Beth-maacah, and in 20:14 and 18 as Abel. In ...
/a/abelbethmaacah.htm - 7k

Maacah (30 Occurrences)
... thus be hemmed in by Israel, which accounts for `Geshur and Maacath dwell in the
midst of Israel" (Joshua 13:13).It is possible that Abel-beth-maacah may have ...
/m/maacah.htm - 20k

Ijon (3 Occurrences)
... It was captured along with Dan and Abel-beth-maacah (1 Kings 15:20 2 Chronicles
16:4). It shared with these cities a similar fate at the hands of Tiglath ...
/i/ijon.htm - 8k

A'bel-Beth-Ma'acah (2 Occurrences)
A'bel-Beth-Ma'acah. Abel-beth-maacah, A'bel-Beth-Ma'acah. Abelbethmaachah . ...
(See RSV). Abel-beth-maacah, A'bel-Beth-Ma'acah. Abelbethmaachah . ...
/a/a'bel-beth-ma'acah.htm - 7k

Abel (22 Occurrences)
... of a city concerned in the rebellion of Sheba (2 Samuel 20:14; compare 1 Samuel
6:18), though it is there probably an abridgment of the name Abel-beth-maacah. ...
/a/abel.htm - 22k

Janoah (3 Occurrences)
... It is named with Abel-beth-maacah and Kedesh (2 Kings 15:29). It may be identical
with Yanuch, a village about 6 miles East of Tyre. W. Ewing. ...
/j/janoah.htm - 8k

Beth-ma'acah (1 Occurrence)
Beth-ma'acah. Beth-maacah, Beth-ma'acah. Bethmaachah . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See RSV). Beth-maacah, Beth-ma'acah. Bethmaachah . Reference Bible.
/b/beth-ma'acah.htm - 6k

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