Lexical Summary Maok: Maok Original Word: מָעוֹךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Maoch From ma'ak; oppressed; Maok, a Philistine -- Maoch. see HEBREW ma'ak NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom maak Definition a Philistine NASB Translation Maoch (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מָעוֺךְ proper name, masculine father of Achish of Gath (on form compare LagBN 32); — 1 Samuel 27:2 (ᵐ5 Αμμαχ, A Μωαβ, ᵐ5L Αχιμααν) = מַעֲכָה 1 Kings 2:39 (ᵐ5 Αμησα, A ᵐ5L Μααχα). Topical Lexicon Name and Variants Maok (also rendered Maoch) is the sole bearer of Strong’s Hebrew number 4582. As a personal name it appears only once in Scripture as the patronymic of Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. Biblical Occurrence 1 Samuel 27:2: “So David and the six hundred men with him set out and went to Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath.” Historical Setting Gath stood as one of the five principal Philistine city-states dominating the southern coastal plain of Canaan during the late eleventh century BC. Maok’s son Achish reigned at a time when Saul’s kingdom was weakening and the Philistines were pressing deeper into Israelite territory. Although Scripture preserves no direct actions or sayings of Maok, the mention of his name implies an ongoing royal dynasty in Gath; Achish’s authority is buttressed by his lineage, much as Israel traced legitimacy through tribal and familial records. David’s Exile and the House of Maok David’s first appearance before Achish (1 Samuel 21:10–15) ended with his feigned madness. Years later, when Saul’s pursuit intensified, David returned, this time finding genuine protection: • David’s flight to Gath under Achish “son of Maoch” framed an ironic reversal: the anointed king of Israel temporarily served the heir of a Philistine line. Geopolitical Implications Maok’s name anchors Achish’s reign within the broader narrative of Philistine power. Dynastic continuity among the Philistines explains why Israel faced not sporadic raiders but organized city-state coalitions capable of fielding large armies, forging alliances, and sheltering fugitives. For Israel, Maok’s house represents the formidable yet ultimately temporary ascendancy of pagan nations over the promised land (compare Judges 3:1–4; 1 Samuel 14:52). Theological and Ministry Reflections 1. God’s sovereignty over foreign rulers: Though Maok is external to the covenant people, his lineage serves divine purposes by providing David a crucible for faith and leadership. Later Tradition and Identification No explicit extra-biblical texts name Maok, and archaeological inscriptions from Gath remain fragmentary. Some scholars link Achish with the contemporary Philistine ruler “Ikausu” noted in Assyrian records, suggesting Maok might be the “Yakun” of Ekron lists; however, such identifications are conjectural and not required to uphold the biblical account. Summary Maok, though mentioned only in passing, stands at a crucial intersection of salvation history. His son’s patronage gave David respite, shaped the rise of Israel’s greatest king, and demonstrated that even the dynasties of Israel’s foes are woven into the larger tapestry of God’s redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations מָע֖וֹךְ מעוך mā‘ōwḵ mā·‘ō·wḵ maochLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 27:2 HEB: אָכִ֥ישׁ בֶּן־ מָע֖וֹךְ מֶ֥לֶךְ גַּֽת׃ NAS: the son of Maoch, king KJV: the son of Maoch, king INT: Achish the son of Maoch king of Gath 1 Occurrence |
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