The term "Maacathite" refers to an inhabitant of the region or kingdom of Maacah, a small Aramean kingdom located in the northern part of ancient Israel, near the borders of present-day Syria. The Maacathites are mentioned in the context of various biblical narratives, primarily in the Old Testament, and are associated with the people of Maacah, a region known for its interactions with Israel and its neighboring territories.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Samuel 23:34 · In the list of David's mighty warriors, we find mention of a Maacathite: "Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite." This reference highlights the presence of individuals from Maacah who were integrated into the Israelite community and served in significant roles, such as being part of King David's elite group of warriors.

2. 2 Samuel 10:6 · The Maacathites are also mentioned in the context of military alliances: "When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, they sent and hired the Arameans of Beth-rehob and the Arameans of Zobah, twenty thousand foot soldiers, as well as the king of Maacah with a thousand men, and also twelve thousand men from Tob." This passage indicates that the Maacathites were involved in regional conflicts and had the capacity to contribute troops to military coalitions against Israel.

3. 1 Chronicles 19:6-7 · This parallel account to 2 Samuel 10:6 reiterates the involvement of the Maacathites in the conflict against Israel: "When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire chariots and horsemen from Aram Naharaim, Aram Maacah, and Zobah. They hired thirty-two thousand chariots and the king of Maacah with his troops, who came and camped near Medeba, while the Ammonites gathered from their cities and came out for battle."

Historical and Cultural Context:

The Maacathites, as part of the broader Aramean cultural and ethnic group, were situated in a region that was strategically important due to its proximity to major trade routes and its fertile land. The kingdom of Maacah, though small, played a role in the complex political and military landscape of the ancient Near East. The Maacathites, like other neighboring peoples, often found themselves in alliances or conflicts with the Israelites, reflecting the dynamic and often turbulent relationships between the various kingdoms and tribes of the region.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the interactions between the Israelites and the Maacathites, as well as other neighboring peoples, serve as a backdrop for understanding the broader narrative of Israel's history as recorded in the Old Testament. These interactions highlight themes of conflict, alliance, and the challenges of maintaining faithfulness to God amidst external pressures and influences. The presence of Maacathites within Israel, such as in the case of David's mighty warriors, also illustrates the inclusivity and diversity within the community of God's people, as individuals from various backgrounds were integrated into the life and history of Israel.

Conclusion:

The Maacathites, though not extensively detailed in the biblical text, represent one of the many groups that interacted with ancient Israel. Their mention in the Scriptures provides insight into the geopolitical realities of the time and underscores the interconnectedness of the peoples in the ancient Near East.4602. Maakathi -- inhab. of Maacah
... inhab. of Maacah. Transliteration: Maakathi Phonetic Spelling: (mah-ak-aw-thee')
Short Definition: Maacathite. Word Origin from Maakah Definition inhab. ...
/hebrew/4602.htm - 6kMaacathite (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Maacathite (4 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 23:34 Eliphelet
the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam ...
/m/maacathite.htm - 7k

Ma-ac'athite (3 Occurrences)
Ma-ac'athite. Maacathite, Ma-ac'athite. Maacathites . Multi-Version
Concordance Ma-ac'athite (3 Occurrences). 2 Kings 25:23 Now ...
/m/ma-ac'athite.htm - 7k

Jaazaniah (5 Occurrences)
... a (ya'azanyahu, in 2 Kings 25:23 Ezekiel 8:11; ya'azanyah, in Jeremiah 35:3 Ezekiel
11:1, "Yah hears"): (1) In 2 Kings 25:23, "son of the Maacathite," and one ...
/j/jaazaniah.htm - 11k

Kareah (14 Occurrences)
... the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth
the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their ...
/k/kareah.htm - 12k

Netophathite (9 Occurrences)
... the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth
the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their ...
/n/netophathite.htm - 9k

Nethaniah (20 Occurrences)
... the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth
the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their ...
/n/nethaniah.htm - 15k

Tanhumeth (2 Occurrences)
... the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth
the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their ...
/t/tanhumeth.htm - 8k

Eshtemoa (5 Occurrences)
... eshtemoh, Joshua 15:50). In 1ch 4:17, 19, Eshtemoa is said to be a Maacathite
and "son" of Ishbah. David after routing the Amalekites ...
/e/eshtemoa.htm - 9k

Ahasbai (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia AHASBAI. a-has'-bi ('achacbay, "blooming"): The
father of Eliphelet, a Maacathite, a soldier in David's army (2 Samuel 23:34). ...
/a/ahasbai.htm - 11k

Johanan (31 Occurrences)
... the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth
the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their ...
/j/johanan.htm - 21k

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