לָכִישׁ (la.khish)
la.khish
Lachish
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 22 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
Lachish was a major fortified city in the southern lowlands of Judah, situated south of Jerusalem. The name likely carries a meaning related to being "invincible" or hard to capture, reflecting its strategic military importance. It originally belonged to the Amorites until Joshua’s conquest, after which it became part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 10:3; 15:39).
Its prominence in Scripture stems from its role as a royal Canaanite city and later as a key stronghold against invading armies. The biblical record highlights sieges by Egyptian pharaohs, Assyrian kings like Sennacherib, and internal conflicts within Judah (2 Kings 14:19; 2 Chronicles 11:9; Jeremiah 34:7). This history underscores its status as a critical defensive position in the ancient Near East.
Translators consistently render this proper noun as "Lachish," preserving its identity across languages. The word appears twenty-two times, primarily in historical narratives that document the rise and fall of kingdoms. Its presence signals moments of significant political or military tension in the land of Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Lachish stands as a reminder that God’s promises are grounded in real history, not abstract ideas. This fortified city was a strategic stronghold, often at the center of conflict between Israel and its neighbors. When Joshua captured it, it demonstrated that divine guidance leads to tangible outcomes in our lives.
The prophets later used Lachish to show that even strong defenses cannot protect against judgment when people turn away from God. Yet, these accounts also reveal a faithful God who remains present amidst turmoil. We can trust that He is sovereign over the uncertainties we face, just as He was over the battles of ancient Judah.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 22 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Lachish13×
- Lachish/ towards6×
- from/ Lachish4×
- to/ Lachish1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לָכִ֖ישׁ3×
- לָכִ֑ישָׁ/ה3×
- מִ/לָּכִֽישׁ\׃2×
- לָכִישׁ֙2×
- לָכִ֜ישׁ2×
- לָכִ֔ישָׁ/ה2×
- לָכִ֑ישׁ2×
- מִ/לָּכִ֧ישׁ1×
- מִ/לָּכִ֖ישׁ1×
- לָכִ֨ישָׁ/ה\׀1×
- לָכִ֥ישׁ1×
- לָכִ֣ישׁ1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 10:32
Yahweh delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel. He took it on the second day, and struck it with the edge of the sword, with all the souls who were in it, according to all that he had done to Libnah.
This verse highlights God's active role in delivering a fortified city into Israel's hands, showing His power to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
-
Isaiah 36:2
The king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem to King Hezekiah with a large army. He stood by the aqueduct from the upper pool in the fuller’s field highway.
The mention of Lachish here underscores the gravity of the Assyrian threat, illustrating how external pressures can test a community's faith in God's protection.
-
Micah 1:13
Harness the chariot to the swift steed, inhabitant of Lachish. She was the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion; for the transgressions of Israel were found in you.
This prophetic address uses Lachish as a symbol of complicity in sin, warning that proximity to power does not shield one from moral accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Lachish mean in the Bible?
Why is Lachish mentioned so often in the Old Testament?
What is the significance of Lachish in the book of Micah?
Every Occurrence (22 verses across 7 books)
Joshua 10 verses
Therefore Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish,…
Joshua 10:5Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of…
Joshua 10:23They did so, and brought those five kings out of the cave to him: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king…
Joshua 10:31Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, to Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it.
Joshua 10:32Yahweh delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel. He took it on the second day, and struck it with the edge of the…
Joshua 10:33Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua struck him and his people, until he had left him no one…
Joshua 10:34Joshua passed from Lachish, and all Israel with him, to Eglon; and they encamped against it and fought against it.
Joshua 10:35They took it on that day, and struck it with the edge of the sword. He utterly destroyed all the souls who were in it…
Joshua 12:11the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
Joshua 15:39Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon,