The Maacathites were an ancient people mentioned in the Bible, associated with the region of Maacah. This group is noted for its interactions and conflicts with the Israelites during the period of the conquest and settlement of Canaan.

Geographical Location:
The land of Maacah was located in the northern part of the Transjordan, near the region of Bashan and the territory of Geshur. It is often associated with the area around Mount Hermon and the upper Jordan Valley. The precise boundaries of Maacah are not clearly defined in the biblical text, but it is generally understood to be a small kingdom or tribal region.

Biblical References:
The Maacathites are first mentioned in the context of the conquest of Canaan. In Joshua 13:11, the land of the Maacathites is listed among the territories that were not fully conquered by the Israelites: "and Gilead, and the territory of the Geshurites and Maacathites, all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan as far as Salecah." This indicates that the Maacathites maintained a degree of independence and were not entirely subdued by the Israelites.

In 2 Samuel 10:6, the Maacathites are mentioned as allies of the Ammonites in their conflict against King David: "When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, they sent and hired the Arameans of Beth-rehob and Zobah, twenty thousand foot soldiers, as well as the king of Maacah with a thousand men, and also twelve thousand men from Tob." This alliance suggests that the Maacathites were part of a broader coalition of regional powers opposing Israelite expansion.

Cultural and Historical Context:
The Maacathites, like many small kingdoms and tribes in the ancient Near East, were likely a semi-nomadic people with a tribal social structure. Their political alliances and conflicts with neighboring states, such as Israel and Ammon, reflect the complex and often volatile nature of regional politics during the biblical period.

The Maacathites' mention in the context of military alliances indicates their involvement in the broader geopolitical dynamics of the time. Their ability to field troops in support of the Ammonites suggests a level of military organization and resources.

Significance in Biblical Narrative:
The Maacathites serve as an example of the various peoples and nations that the Israelites encountered and interacted with during their settlement in the Promised Land. Their presence in the biblical narrative highlights the challenges faced by the Israelites in securing their territory and the ongoing tensions with neighboring groups.

The Maacathites' resistance to Israelite control and their participation in coalitions against Israel underscore the persistent opposition that the Israelites faced from surrounding nations. This opposition is a recurring theme in the historical books of the Old Testament, illustrating the Israelites' struggle to maintain their covenantal identity and territorial integrity amidst external pressures.

Overall, the Maacathites are a testament to the diverse and often contentious relationships between the Israelites and the peoples of the ancient Near East, reflecting the broader historical and theological themes of the biblical narrative.MAACATHITES

ma-ak'-a-thits (hama`akhathi); Septuagint: Codex Vaticanus ho Machatei; Codex Alexandrinus Machathi): Mentioned in Scripture are Ahasbai M (2 Samuel 23:34), Jaazaniah (2 Kings 25:23), Naham (1 Chronicles 4:19) and Jezaniah (Jeremiah 40:8). See preceding article.

4602. Maakathi -- inhab. of Maacah
... Maacathite. Word Origin from Maakah Definition inhab. of Maacah NASB Word
Usage Maacathite (4), Maacathites (4). Maachathite. Patrial ...
/hebrew/4602.htm - 6kMaacathites (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia MAACATHITES. ma-ak'-a ... article. Multi-Version
Concordance Maacathites (4 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 3 ...
/m/maacathites.htm - 8k

Ma-ac'athites (4 Occurrences)
Ma-ac'athites. Maacathites, Ma-ac'athites. Maachah . Multi-Version
Concordance Ma-ac'athites (4 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 3:14 Jair ...
/m/ma-ac'athites.htm - 7k

Maacah (30 Occurrences)
... on the western border of Bashan, the inhabitants of which are called Maachathites
(the Revised Version (British and American) "Maacathites"), whose territory ...
/m/maacah.htm - 20k

Gesh'urites (6 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 3:14 Jair the son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, unto the
border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and called them, even Bashan ...
/g/gesh'urites.htm - 8k

Geshurites (6 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 3:14 Jair the son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, to the border
of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and called them, even Bashan ...
/g/geshurites.htm - 9k

Geshur (11 Occurrences)
... Joshua 12:5 and ruled in Mount Hermon, and in Salecah, and in all Bashan, to the
border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and half Gilead, the border of ...
/g/geshur.htm - 13k

Geshurite (4 Occurrences)
... Joshua 12:5 and ruled in Mount Hermon, and in Salecah, and in all Bashan, to the
border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and half Gilead, the border of ...
/g/geshurite.htm - 7k

Sal'ecah (4 Occurrences)
... Joshua 12:5 and ruled in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the
border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and half Gilead, even unto the ...
/s/sal'ecah.htm - 7k

Salecah (4 Occurrences)
... Joshua 12:5 and ruled in Mount Hermon, and in Salecah, and in all Bashan, to the
border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and half Gilead, the border of ...
/s/salecah.htm - 9k

Bashan (54 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 3:14 Jair the son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, to the border
of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and called them, even Bashan ...
/b/bashan.htm - 32k

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