Maacath is a term found in the Bible that refers to both a person and a region, with significant implications in the historical and genealogical narratives of the Scriptures. The name Maacath is derived from the Hebrew root meaning "oppression" or "pressure," which may reflect the historical interactions of the people associated with this name.

1. Maacath as a Person:

In the genealogical records of the Bible, Maacath is mentioned as a person in several contexts:

· Maacah, Daughter of Talmai: Maacah is noted as the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur, and the wife of King David. She is the mother of Absalom and Tamar, two significant figures in the narrative of David's reign. In 2 Samuel 3:3, the Berean Standard Bible states, "his second was Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third was Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur."

· Maacah, Mother of Abijah: Another Maacah is mentioned as the mother of King Abijah of Judah. She is described as the daughter of Absalom, though some texts refer to her as the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. Her influence is noted in the religious reforms during Abijah's reign. In 1 Kings 15:2, the BSB records, "He reigned in Jerusalem three years, and his mother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom."

2. Maacath as a Region:

The term Maacath also refers to a geographical region and its inhabitants, the Maacathites:

· Location and People: The land of Maacath was located in the northern part of the Transjordan, near the territory of Bashan. It was inhabited by the Maacathites, a small Aramean kingdom. The region is mentioned in the context of the conquests of the Israelites. In Joshua 13:11, the BSB notes, "and Gilead, and the territory of the Geshurites and Maacathites, all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan as far as Salecah."

· Historical Significance: The Maacathites were among the peoples that the Israelites encountered during their conquest of the Promised Land. Although they were not completely driven out, they are listed among the nations that Israel was to dispossess. In Deuteronomy 3:14, the BSB states, "Jair the son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob as far as the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and he called it after his own name, Bashan-havoth-jair, to this day."

3. Theological Implications:

The references to Maacath in the Bible highlight the complex interactions between Israel and its neighboring nations. The marriages and alliances with people from Maacath, such as the marriage of David to Maacah, daughter of Talmai, illustrate the political and familial ties that influenced Israel's history. The presence of Maacathites in the land also serves as a reminder of the incomplete conquest of Canaan and the ongoing challenges faced by the Israelites in maintaining their covenantal identity amidst surrounding cultures.

Overall, Maacath represents both a personal and geographical element within the biblical narrative, reflecting the intricate tapestry of relationships and events that shaped the history of Israel as recorded in the Scriptures.4601. Maakah -- an Israelite name, also a non-Isr. name, also a ...
... name, also a non-Isr. name, also a region in Syria NASB Word Usage Aram-maacah*
(1), Maacah (21), Maacath (1). Maachah, Maachathites. Or Mamakath (Josh. ...
/hebrew/4601.htm - 6kMaacath (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Maacath (1 Occurrence). Joshua 13:13 Nevertheless
the children of Israel didn't drive out the Geshurites ...
/m/maacath.htm - 6k

Maacah (30 Occurrences)
... They would 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 ...
/m/maacah.htm - 20k

Ma'acath (1 Occurrence)
Ma'acath. Maacath, Ma'acath. Maacathite . Multi-Version Concordance Ma'acath
(1 Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Maacath, Ma'acath. Maacathite . Reference Bible
/m/ma'acath.htm - 6k

Ma'acah (22 Occurrences)
Ma'acah. Maacah, Ma'acah. Maacath . Multi-Version Concordance Ma'acah (22
Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Maacah, Ma'acah. Maacath . Reference Bible.
/m/ma'acah.htm - 12k

Geshur (11 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:13 Nevertheless the children of Israel didn't drive out the Geshurites,
nor the Maacathites: but Geshur and Maacath dwell in the midst of Israel to ...
/g/geshur.htm - 13k

Gesh'urites (6 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:13 Nevertheless the children of Israel drove not out the Geshurites, nor
the Maacathites; but Geshur and Maacath dwelt in the midst of Israel unto ...
/g/gesh'urites.htm - 8k

Geshurite (4 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:13 Nevertheless the children of Israel didn't drive out the Geshurites,
nor the Maacathites: but Geshur and Maacath dwell in the midst of Israel to ...
/g/geshurite.htm - 7k

Geshurites (6 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:13 Nevertheless the children of Israel didn't drive out the Geshurites,
nor the Maacathites: but Geshur and Maacath dwell in the midst of Israel to ...
/g/geshurites.htm - 9k

Ma-ac'athites (4 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:13 Nevertheless the children of Israel didn't drive out the Geshurites,
nor the Maacathites: but Geshur and Maacath dwell in the midst of Israel to ...
/m/ma-ac'athites.htm - 7k

Maacathites (4 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:13 Nevertheless the children of Israel didn't drive out the Geshurites,
nor the Maacathites: but Geshur and Maacath dwell in the midst of Israel to ...
/m/maacathites.htm - 8k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus