מַעֲכָה (ma.a.khah)
ma.a.khah
Maacah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 23 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Maacah, derived from a root meaning to press or depress, appears in Scripture as both a place and a person. As a geographic term, it identifies a region near Mount Hermon and the kingdom of Geshur, where its inhabitants served as mercenaries for King David (2 Samuel 10:6). This location is also noted in the tribal boundaries of Israel, marking the northern extent of Manasseh’s inheritance (Joshua 13:13).
As a personal name, Maacah carries significant weight within royal genealogies. It belongs to a Geshurite princess who became one of King David’s wives and the mother of Absalom (2 Samuel 3:3). The name recurs in the next generation when her granddaughter, also named Maacah, served as queen mother to Rehoboam and later to Asa (1 Kings 15:2; 2 Chronicles 11:20). The sources highlight that this title was so prominent it sometimes replaced other familial descriptors in royal records.
The repetition of the name across these generations underscores its political importance. It connects the Davidic dynasty with neighboring Aramaic and Geshurite powers, reflecting the complex alliances of the era. Translators consistently render the Hebrew form as Maacah or Maakath, preserving the distinct identity of this family line throughout the historical books.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Maacah appears across generations in Scripture, linking royal families with distant regions like Geshur and Gath. This recurrence highlights how God’s plan unfolds through complex human relationships and political alliances. Even when names seem minor, they anchor us to a larger story of faithfulness and redemption.
For believers today, Maacah reminds us that our lives are woven into a tapestry of connections—family, community, and history. We may not always see the full picture, but God uses every thread for His purposes. Like the descendants of Maacah, we find our identity not in status or power, but in belonging to God’s enduring covenant.
As you reflect on your own journey, consider how your relationships and heritage shape your witness. Trust that God is working through all things, even the seemingly obscure details of history, to bring about His good will.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 23 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Maacah16×
- [was] Maacah5×
- and/ Maacah2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַעֲכָ֖ה5×
- מַעֲכָ֔ה5×
- מַעֲכָה֙2×
- מַעֲכָֽה\׃\ \ס2×
- מַעֲכָֽה\׃2×
- מַעֲכָ֣ה2×
- מַעֲכָ֤ה1×
- מַעֲכָ֞ה1×
- מַֽעֲכָה֙1×
- וּ/מַֽעֲכָת֙1×
- וּ/מַֽעֲכָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 3:3
and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
This verse identifies Maacah as David’s wife and mother of Absalom, anchoring the name in the royal lineage.
-
I Kings 15:13
He also removed Maacah his mother from being queen, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah. Asa cut down her image and burned it at the brook Kidron.
Here, King Asa removes his grandmother Maacah from her position due to idolatry, showing the name’s political and spiritual weight.
-
II Chronicles 11:20
After her, he took Maacah the granddaughter of Absalom; and she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.
Maacah is named as Rehoboam’s wife and mother of Abijah, linking the Davidic line to the northern kingdom.
-
Joshua 13:13
Nevertheless the children of Israel didn’t drive out the Geshurites, nor the Maacathites: but Geshur and Maacath live within Israel to this day.
This passage notes that the Maacathites were not driven out, marking a boundary where Israel’s control was incomplete.