Azekah is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, notable for its strategic location and historical significance in the biblical narrative. It is situated in the Shephelah, the lowland region of Judah, and is frequently associated with military events and territorial delineations.

Biblical References:

1. Joshua 10:10-11 · Azekah is first mentioned in the context of Joshua's southern campaign. After the Israelites defeated the Amorite coalition led by the king of Jerusalem, the enemy fled, and the Lord intervened with a miraculous hailstorm as they retreated through the descent of Beth-horon to Azekah. The passage states, "The LORD threw large hailstones down on them from the sky all the way to Azekah, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites."

2. 1 Samuel 17:1 · Azekah is noted as a location near the battlefield where David confronted Goliath. The Philistines gathered their forces at Socoh in Judah and camped between Socoh and Azekah. This sets the stage for the famous encounter between the young shepherd and the giant, highlighting Azekah's proximity to significant events in Israel's history.

3. 2 Chronicles 11:9 · During the reign of Rehoboam, Azekah is listed among the fortified cities of Judah. This indicates its importance as a defensive site, contributing to the security and stability of the kingdom. The text records, "He also fortified Beth-zur, Socoh, and Azekah."

4. Jeremiah 34:7 · In the context of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, Azekah is mentioned as one of the last two fortified cities of Judah still standing, alongside Lachish. This underscores its resilience and strategic importance during times of national crisis. The verse states, "when the army of the king of Babylon was fighting against Jerusalem and the remaining cities of Judah—Lachish and Azekah. For these were the only fortified cities left in Judah."

Archaeological Significance:

Azekah has been the subject of archaeological interest, with excavations revealing its role as a fortified city. The site, identified with Tell Zakariya, has yielded artifacts and structures that corroborate its biblical mentions. The fortifications and remnants of ancient occupation layers provide insight into the city's historical and military significance.

Historical and Theological Context:

Azekah's repeated mention in military contexts highlights its strategic importance in the defense of Judah. Its location in the Shephelah made it a critical point of defense against incursions from the coastal plains. Theologically, Azekah serves as a backdrop for divine intervention and the unfolding of God's plan for Israel, as seen in the miraculous victory in Joshua's time and the enduring legacy of David's triumph over Goliath.

In summary, Azekah stands as a testament to the historical and spiritual narrative of the Israelites, reflecting both the challenges and divine providence experienced by God's people throughout the biblical record.Azekah

strength of walls

Azekah

(dugover), a town of Judah, with dependent villages, lying in the Shefelah or rich agricultural plain. It is most clearly defined as being near Shochoh, (1 Samuel 17:1) but its position has not yet been recognized.

Azekah

A town in the tribe of Judah, about fifteen miles south-west of Jerusalem; mentioned in the narratives of Joshua and Saul, Joshua 10:10; 1 Samuel 17:1; taken by Nebuchadnezzar, Jeremiah 34:7, but afterwards repeopled by the Jews, Nehemiah 11:30.

Dug over, a town in the Shephelah or low hills of Judah (Joshua 15:35), where the five confederated Amoritish kings were defeated by Joshua and their army destroyed by a hailstrom (10:10, 11). It was one of the places re-occupied by the Jews on their return from the Captivity (Nehemiah 11:30). AZEKAH

a-ze'-ka `azekah: A town of some importance in the Shephelah of Judah mentioned (Joshua 15:35) next to Socoh. In Joshua 10:10 the defeated kings of the Arnorites are described as flying before Joshua "by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon. to Azekah, and unto Makkedah" and (Joshua 10:11) as the host fled "Yahweh cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died." In 1 Samuel 17:1 it is recorded that before David's combat with Goliath, the Philistines "gathered together at Socoh, which belongeth to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammin." In 2 Chronicles 11:9 it is mentioned as one of the frontier cities which Rehoboam fortified and in Jeremiah 34:7 it is one of the two fortified cities remaining to Judah in the Shephelah which Nebuchadnezzar was besieging. "Azekah and the towns (margin, "daughters") thereof" is mentioned among the cities reoccupied by Jews returning after the Exile (Nehemiah 11:30). In all the three last references the place is mentioned along with Lachish.

All the data suit Tell Zaqareyeh on the North side of the Vale of Elah (Wady es-Sunt) and some 3 miles Northwest of Socoh (Kh. Shuweikeh). This site, which was partially excavated by the Palestine Exploration Fund, is one of great natural strength. "The hill stands almost isolated, rising abruptly for almost 350 ft. above the Vale of Elah;. to the West the fall is also very great, while to the South the tell is joined by a neck of land (about 100 ft. below the summit) to a hill behind." The summit is about 350 yds. by 150 yds., and is much larger than Tell el-Chesy (Lachish) (Bliss). Excavations showed that it was a very ancient site which had been powerfully fortified, and the rock under the city was excavated in a series of very extraordinary underground chambers which could be used as places of refuge. The site suits the narrative of Joshua's battle every well, as there is a long-used high route running North to South from the neighborhood of Ajalon. Its position as a frontier fortress is comparable with that of Lachish: the name Zakareyeh, seems to be a survival of Azekah. See PEFS, 1899, 10; PEF, III, 441.

E. W. G. Masterman

5825. Azeqah -- a place in Judah
... 5824, 5825. Azeqah. 5826 . a place in Judah. Transliteration: Azeqah Phonetic
Spelling: (az-ay-kaw') Short Definition: Azekah. ... Azekah. ...
/hebrew/5825.htm - 6k

The Siege. (xxi, xxxii-xxxiv, xxxvii, xxxviii. )
... by the king but evoked from Jeremiah by the progress of the Chaldean arms, which
had overrun all Judah save the fortresses of Jerusalem, Lachish and Azekah. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 the siege xxi xxxii-xxxiv.htm

How the Philistines Made Another Expedition against the Hebrews ...
... time afterward; and having gotten together a great army, they made war against the
Israelites; and having seized a place between Shochoh and Azekah, they there ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how the philistines.htm

Concerning Rehoboam, and How God Inflicted Punishment Upon Him for ...
... cities, Bethlehem, and Etare, and Tekoa, and Bethzur, and Shoco, and Adullam, and
Ipan, and Maresha, and Ziph, and Adorlam, and Lachlsh, and Azekah, and Zorah ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning rehoboam and.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... where we find a list of the towns fortified by Rehoboam: Bethlehem, Etam, Beth-zur,
Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, Zorah, Ajalon ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Azekah (7 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AZEKAH. a-ze'-ka `azekah: A town of some importance
in the Shephelah of Judah mentioned (Joshua 15:35) next to Socoh. ...
/a/azekah.htm - 11k

Aze'kah (6 Occurrences)
Aze'kah. Azekah, Aze'kah. Azel . Multi-Version Concordance Aze'kah (6 Occurrences). ...
(See RSV). Joshua 15:35 Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah; (See RSV ...
/a/aze'kah.htm - 7k

Makkedah (8 Occurrences)
... upon the allies at Gibeon, slew them with a great slaughter, chased the fugitives
down the valley by way of Beth-horon, and smote them unto Azekah and unto ...
/m/makkedah.htm - 12k

Socoh (4 Occurrences)
... and in the King James Version: Socoh, Shochoh, Shoco, Shocho): (1) A city in the
Shephelah of Judah mentioned along with Jarmuth, Adullam, Azekah, etc. ...
/s/socoh.htm - 10k

Jarmuth (7 Occurrences)
... In Joshua 15:35 it is mentioned in conjunction with Adullam, Socoh and Azekah,
and in Nehemiah 11:29 with Zorah, Zanoah and Adullam. ...
/j/jarmuth.htm - 11k

Ephesdammim (1 Occurrence)
... e-fes-dam'-im ('ephec dammim): Some spot between Socoh and Azekah (1 Samuel 17:1)
where the Philistines were encamped; called in 1 Chronicles 11:13, "Pas-dammin ...
/e/ephesdammim.htm - 8k

Ephes-dammim (1 Occurrence)
... e-fes-dam'-im ('ephec dammim): Some spot between Socoh and Azekah (1 Samuel 17:1)
where the Philistines were encamped; called in 1 Chronicles 11:13, "Pas-dammin ...
/e/ephes-dammim.htm - 8k

Beth (115 Occurrences)
... before Israel, and he killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them
by the way of the ascent of Beth Horon, and struck them to Azekah and to ...
/b/beth.htm - 40k

Soco (3 Occurrences)
... and in the King James Version: Socoh, Shochoh, Shoco, Shocho): (1) A city in the
Shephelah of Judah mentioned along with Jarmuth, Adullam, Azekah, etc. ...
/s/soco.htm - 10k

Shaaraim (3 Occurrences)
... James Version Sharaim): (1) A city in the Shephelah or "lowland" of Judah mentioned
(Joshua 15:36) in close association with Socoh and Azekah; the vanquished ...
/s/shaaraim.htm - 9k

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