Geographical Location:
Taanach, also spelled Tanach, is an ancient city located in the region of Canaan, specifically within the territory allotted to the tribe of Manasseh. It is situated in the Jezreel Valley, near the Kishon River, and is approximately 5 miles southeast of Megiddo. The modern site is identified with the archaeological tell known as Tell Ta'anak.

Biblical References:
Taanach is mentioned several times in the Old Testament, primarily in the context of territorial boundaries and battles. In the Book of Joshua, Taanach is listed among the cities that were allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh, although it was within the territory of Issachar (Joshua 17:11). The city is also noted for its Canaanite inhabitants, whom the Israelites did not fully drive out, leading to their eventual subjugation to forced labor (Judges 1:27-28).

In the Song of Deborah, Taanach is referenced in the context of the battle against Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army under King Jabin of Hazor. Judges 5:19 states, "Kings came and fought; then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no plunder of silver." This passage highlights Taanach's strategic importance in the Jezreel Valley and its role in the victory of the Israelites under Deborah and Barak.

Historical and Archaeological Significance:
Taanach was a significant Canaanite city-state during the Late Bronze Age and continued to be an important site during the Israelite settlement period. Archaeological excavations at Tell Ta'anak have uncovered evidence of a well-fortified city with substantial remains from the Canaanite and Israelite periods. Findings include a series of cuneiform tablets, which provide insight into the political and economic life of the city during the second millennium BC.

Cultural and Theological Insights:
Taanach's mention in the biblical narrative underscores the challenges faced by the Israelites in fully possessing the Promised Land. The city's continued Canaanite presence and the Israelites' failure to completely drive out its inhabitants serve as a reminder of the recurring theme of incomplete obedience to God's commands. This theme is prevalent throughout the Book of Judges, where the consequences of such disobedience often lead to periods of oppression and conflict.

The battle at Taanach, as recounted in the Song of Deborah, also illustrates the divine intervention and deliverance experienced by the Israelites. The victory over Sisera is attributed to God's providence, reinforcing the belief in His sovereignty and faithfulness to His covenant people.

Modern Relevance:
Taanach's archaeological and biblical significance continues to be a subject of interest for scholars and theologians. The site provides valuable insights into the historical context of the biblical narrative and the complex interactions between the Israelites and the Canaanite populations. For believers, Taanach serves as a testament to the enduring lessons of faith, obedience, and reliance on God's guidance in the face of challenges.Taanach

who humbles thee; who answers thee

Taanach

(sandy), an ancient Canaanitish city whose king is enumerated among the thirty-one kings conquered by Joshua. (Joshua 12:21) It came into the half tribe of Manasseh, (Joshua 17:11; 21:25; 1 Chronicles 7:29) and was bestowed on the Kohathite Levites. (Joshua 21:25) Taanach is almost always named in company with Megiddo, and they were evidently the chief towns of that fine rich district which forms the western portion of the great plain of Esdraelon. (1 Kings 4:12) It is still called Taannuk , and) stands about four miles southeast of Lejjun and 13 miles southwest of Nazareth.

Taanach

A Caanite royal city, Joshua 12:21, in the territory of Issachar, but assigned to Manesseh, Joshua 17:11; 21:25. There is still a small place called Taannuk on the south border of the plain of Esdraelon, four miles southeast of the site of Megiddo, which is usually named with Taanach, Jude 1:27; 5:19; 1 Kings 4:12.

A sandy place, an ancient royal city of the Canaanites, on the south-western border of the plain of Esdraelon, 4 miles south of Megiddo. Its king was conquered by Joshua (12:21). It was assigned to the Levites of the family of Kohath (17:11-18; 21:25). It is mentioned in the song of Deborah (Judges 5:19). It is identified with the small modern village of Ta'annuk. TAANACH

ta'-nak (ta`anakh, or ta`nakh; the Septuagint Tanach, with many variants): A royal city of the Canaanites, the king of which was slain by Joshua (12:21). It was within the boundaries of the portion of Issachar, but was one of the cities reckoned to Manasseh (Joshua 17:11 1 Chronicles 7:29), and assigned to the Kohathite Levites (Joshua 21:25). The Canaanites were not driven out; only at a later time they were set to taskwork (Joshua 17:12 Judges 1:27 f). Here the great battle was fought when the defeat of Sisera broke the power of the oppressor Jabin (Judges 5:19). It was in the administrative district of Baana ben Ahilud (1 Kings 4:12). The name appears in the list of Thothmes III at Karnak; and Shishak records his plundering of Taanach when he invaded Palestine under Jeroboam I (compare 1 Kings 14:25). Eusebius says in Onomasticon that it is a very large village, 3 miles from Legio. it is represented by the modern Ta`annek, which stands on a hill at the southwestern edge of the plain of Esdraelon. Megiddo (Tell el-Mutesellim) lies 5 miles to the Northwest. These two places are almost invariably named together. The great highway for traffic, commercial and military, from Babylon and Egypt, ran between them. They were therefore of high strategic importance. Excavations were recently conducted on the site by Professor Sellin, and a series of valuable and deeply interesting discoveries were made, shedding light upon the social and religious life and practices of the inhabitants down to the 1st century B.C., through a period of nearly 2,000 years. The Canaanites were the earliest occupants. In accordance with Biblical history, "there is no evidence of a break or abrupt change in the civilization between the Canaanite and the Israelite occupation of Taanach; the excavations Show rather gradual development. The Canaanites will have gradually assimilated the Israelites drawn to them from the villages in the plain" (Driver, Schweich Lectures, 1908, 84). In the work just cited Driver gives an admirable summary of the results obtained by Professor Sellin. In his book on the Religion of Ancient Palestine, Professor Stanley A. Cook has shown, in short compass, what excellent use may be made of the results thus furnished.

W. Ewing

8590. Tanak -- a Canaanite city assigned to Manasseh
... Tanak. 8591 . a Canaanite city assigned to Manasseh. Transliteration: Tanak Phonetic
Spelling: (tah-an-awk') Short Definition: Taanach. ... Taanach, Tanach. ...
/hebrew/8590.htm - 6k

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... field. Kings came, they fought; They fought, the kings of Canaan, At Taanach
by the Waters of Megiddo, They took no booty of silver. ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

Deborah's Song
... Strophe. Men. The kings came and fought; Then fought the kings of Canaan, In Taanach
by the waters of Megiddo:" They took no gain of money! Antistrophe. Women. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/iv deborahs song.htm

Women who Saved a Nation
... "Zebulun risked its life, Naphtali on the heights of the field. Rulers came, they
fought, The rulers of Canaan fought At Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/women who saved a nation.htm

The Growth of the Old Testament Prophetic Histories
... Bless Jehovah! Kings came, they fought; Then fought the kings of Canaan, At Taanach
by the waters of Megiddo; They took no booty of silver. ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/vi the growth of the.htm

The Old Testament and Archeology
... Schumacher. Dr. Sellin carried on excavations at the neighboring Taanach
for the Austrian government between 1902 and 1904. {121 ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... A range of forts, Ibleam, Taanach, and Megiddo,* drawn like a barrier across the
line of advance, protected its southern face, and beyond these a series of ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... All the fortresses commanding the passes of Tabor and Carmel, Megiddo, Taanach,
Ibleam, Jezreel, Endor, and Bethshan remained inviolate, and formed as it were ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... The second route bore a little to the east, crossing the mountains beyond Dutina
and reaching the plain near Taanach; but it offered the same disadvantages as ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

Taanach (7 Occurrences)
... It is identified with the small modern village of Ta'annuk. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. TAANACH. ... W. Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance Taanach (7 Occurrences ...
/t/taanach.htm - 12k

Ta'anach (6 Occurrences)
Ta'anach. Taanach, Ta'anach. Ta'a-nach . ... Ta'anach (6 Occurrences). Joshua
12:21 the king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one; (See RSV). ...
/t/ta'anach.htm - 8k

Megiddo (13 Occurrences)
... See also ARMAGEDDON. The constant association of Megiddo with Taanach (Tell Ta`anek)
points to a position on the south edge of the plain of Esdraelon. ...
/m/megiddo.htm - 16k

Megid'do (12 Occurrences)
... Megiddo, Megid'do. Megiddon . Multi-Version Concordance Megid'do (12 Occurrences).
Joshua 12:21 the king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one; (See RSV ...
/m/megid'do.htm - 10k

Shean (5 Occurrences)
... towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the
inhabitants of Endor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and its ...
/s/shean.htm - 8k

Shan (8 Occurrences)
... towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the
inhabitants of Endor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and its ...
/s/shan.htm - 9k

Bethshean (5 Occurrences)
... towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the
inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her ...
/b/bethshean.htm - 11k

Beth-shean (5 Occurrences)
... towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the
inhabitants of En-dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and its ...
/b/beth-shean.htm - 11k

Daughter-towns (17 Occurrences)
... Ibleam and its daughter-towns, and the people of Dor and its daughter-towns, and
the people of En-dor and its daughter-towns, and the people of Taanach and its ...
/d/daughter-towns.htm - 12k

Beth-she'an (5 Occurrences)
... towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the
inhabitants of En-dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and its ...
/b/beth-she'an.htm - 8k

Why did the Israelites take the Canaanites as slaves instead of destroying them as they were instructed? | GotQuestions.org

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