Tekoah, also spelled Tekoa, is a significant location in biblical history, mentioned several times in the Old Testament. It is primarily known as a town in the hill country of Judah, situated approximately 10 miles south of Jerusalem. The name "Tekoah" is believed to mean "a trumpet" or "a place of setting up tents," reflecting its historical and geographical significance.

Biblical References:

1. Home of the Prophet Amos:
Tekoah is most notably recognized as the hometown of the prophet Amos. Amos 1:1 states, "The words of Amos, who was among the sheep breeders from Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel." Amos, a shepherd and fig tree farmer, was called by God to prophesy against the northern kingdom of Israel, emphasizing social justice and divine judgment.

2. Wise Woman of Tekoah:
In 2 Samuel 14, Joab, the commander of King David's army, employs a wise woman from Tekoah to persuade David to reconcile with his estranged son Absalom. The woman presents a parable to David, which ultimately leads to Absalom's return to Jerusalem. This account highlights the reputation of Tekoah's inhabitants for wisdom and eloquence.

3. Military Significance:
Tekoah also held military importance. In 2 Chronicles 11:6 , it is recorded that Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, fortified the city as part of his defensive strategy: "He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa." This fortification underscores Tekoah's strategic location in the defense of the southern kingdom of Judah.

4. Involvement in Rebuilding Jerusalem:
During the time of Nehemiah, the men of Tekoah played a role in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. Nehemiah 3:5 notes, "Next to them, the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors." This passage indicates both the participation and the reluctance of some Tekoites in the communal effort to restore the city after the Babylonian exile.

Historical and Archaeological Insights:

Tekoah's location in the Judean hills made it a suitable place for agriculture and pastoral activities, which aligns with Amos's background as a shepherd. Archaeological findings in the region have uncovered remnants of ancient settlements, fortifications, and agricultural installations, providing a glimpse into the life and times of its biblical inhabitants.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

Tekoah's mention in various biblical narratives highlights its cultural and theological significance. The town serves as a backdrop for themes of prophecy, wisdom, reconciliation, and communal responsibility. The accounts associated with Tekoah reflect the broader biblical themes of divine justice, the call to repentance, and the importance of community in fulfilling God's purposes.

In summary, Tekoah is a multifaceted location in the biblical narrative, known for its association with the prophet Amos, its wise inhabitants, its strategic military role, and its contribution to the restoration of Jerusalem. Its legacy continues to be a testament to the rich tapestry of history and faith in the biblical tradition.Pitching of tents; fastening down, a town of Judah, about 12 miles south of Jerusalem, and visible from the city. From this place Joab procured a "wise woman," who pretended to be in great affliction, and skilfully made her case known to David. Her address to the king was in the form of an apologue, similar to that of Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1-6). The object of Joab was, by the intervention of this woman, to induce David to bring back Absalom to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 14:2, 4, 9).

This was also the birth-place of the prophet Amos (1:1).

It is now the village of Teku'a, on the top of a hill among ruins, 5 miles south of Bethlehem, and close to Beth-haccerem ("Herod's mountain").

8620. Teqoa -- a city in Judah
... Tekoa, Tekoah. A form of taqowa'; Tekoa, a place in Palestine -- Tekoa, Tekoah.
see HEBREW taqowa'. 8619, 8620. Teqoa. 8621 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8620.htm - 6k

8621. Teqoi -- inhab. of Tekoa
... Tekoite. Or Tqo iy {tek-o-ee'}; patronymically from Tqowa'; a Tekoite or inhabitant
of Tekoah -- Tekoite. see HEBREW Tqowa'. 8620, 8621. Teqoi or Teqoi. 8622 ...
/hebrew/8621.htm - 6k

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
... kings the praises of Israel's maidens stir the jealousy of Saul; Abigail knows how
to avert the danger of her husband's folly; the wise woman of Tekoah is sent ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 9 mothers daughters and.htm

The Prophet Amos.
... i.1: "Who was among the herdmen of Tekoah." If there existed no other statement
than this, there might be truth in the remark made by many interpreters, that ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm

Was Christ's a Real Death?
... [794] In his autobiography, Section 75. He had been sent, with a troop of Roman
horse, to the village of Tekoah, four or five hours distant, to reconnoitre. ...
/.../section 297 was christs a.htm

In Judaea
... fanciful. [17] Such as Tekoah, Engedi, Ziph, Maon, and Beersheba, which
gave their names to districts in the wilderness of Judaea. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm

Tekoah (3 Occurrences)
... haccerem ("Herod's mountain"). Multi-Version Concordance Tekoah (3 Occurrences).
2 Samuel 14:2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched ...
/t/tekoah.htm - 8k

Tekoa (12 Occurrences)
... te-ko'-a (teqoa', or teqo`ah; Thekoe; the King James Version Tekoah; one of David's
mighty men, "Ira the son of Ikkesh," is called a Tekoite, te-ko'-it (teqo`i ...
/t/tekoa.htm - 15k

Teko'a (11 Occurrences)
Teko'a. Tekoa, Teko'a. Tekoah . Multi-Version Concordance Teko'a (11
Occurrences). 2 ... RSV). Tekoa, Teko'a. Tekoah . Reference Bible.
/t/teko'a.htm - 9k

Feign (11 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 14:2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said
unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning ...
/f/feign.htm - 12k

Tekoite (3 Occurrences)

/t/tekoite.htm - 7k

Etam (5 Occurrences)
... (2.) A city of Judah, fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:6). It was near Bethlehem
and Tekoah, and some distance apparently to the north of (1). It seems ...
/e/etam.htm - 11k

Absalom (93 Occurrences)
... As the result of a stratagem carried out by a woman of Tekoah, Joab received
David's sanction to invite Absalom back to Jerusalem. ...
/a/absalom.htm - 50k

Apparel (38 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 14:2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said
unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning ...
/a/apparel.htm - 24k

Sea (4178 Occurrences)
... averaging a half a mile in width, while opposite Wady edition Derajeh and Wady Husasa
(which descend from Bethlehem and the wilderness of Tekoah) the width is ...
/s/sea.htm - 87k

Innocent (97 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 14:9 And the woman of Tekoah saith unto the king, 'On me, my lord, O king,
'is' the iniquity, and on the house of my father; and the king and his ...
/i/innocent.htm - 37k

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