מַקֵּדָה (maq.qe.dah)

maq.qe.dah

Makkedah

H4719 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 8 verses

N:N--L

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 8 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: N:N--L

Word Overview

The noun Makkedah identifies a specific location in the territory of Judah, appearing eight times in the Old Testament, primarily within the narrative of Joshua’s military campaigns. Its name translates to "place of shepherds," suggesting a rural setting where livestock were tended rather than a fortified urban center.

This site is most famous as the cave where Joshua trapped and executed five Canaanite kings after they had hidden there during battle (Joshua 10:16-27). The text places Makkedah near Beth-horon and Libnah, anchoring this dramatic event in a concrete geographical context. By naming the place, the biblical writer grounds the theological claim of divine victory in real history.

While the word itself carries no abstract spiritual meaning, its repeated mention serves as a marker of Israel’s consolidation of power in the land. It reminds readers that the conquest was not merely a series of battles but involved securing specific towns and caves across Judah.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

Makkedah appears in the biblical text as a specific location in Judah, often translated as "place of shepherds." It is best known from Joshua 10 as the site where five Canaanite kings hid in a cave after their defeat. The narrative uses this concrete place to show how God’s promises were fulfilled in real history, anchoring spiritual truths in physical events.

For your faith, this word reminds us that God works through specific moments and places. The story at Makkedah highlights divine intervention, as Yahweh confused the enemy before Israel even engaged fully. It shows that victory comes from God’s power, not just human strategy. This grounding in history helps readers trust that God is present in the details of life.

While the name itself does not carry abstract spiritual meaning, its repetition marks Israel’s consolidation of land. It serves as a marker of God’s faithfulness to His covenant. Readers can find comfort in knowing that the biblical record preserves these locations, linking ancient events to our modern understanding of God’s active role in history.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.

Makkedah5×
at/ Makkedah2×
from/ Makkedah1×
and/ Makkedah1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

בְּ/מַקֵּדָֽה\׃2×
מַקֵּדָה֩1×
מַקֵּדָה֙1×
מַקֵּדָֽה\׃1×
מַקֵּדָ֖ה1×
מַקֵּדָ֔ה1×
מִ/מַּקֵּדָ֖ה1×
וּ/מַקֵּדָ֑ה1×

Key Verses

Joshua 10:16
These five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.

This verse identifies Makkedah as the hiding place for five defeated kings, highlighting the specific location where divine judgment was finalized.
Joshua 10:10
Yahweh confused them before Israel. He killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth Horon, and struck them to Azekah and to Makkedah.

Here, Makkedah marks the end of a chase initiated by God confusing the enemy, showing the word’s connection to miraculous intervention.
Joshua 10:28
Joshua took Makkedah on that day, and struck it with the edge of the sword, with its king. He utterly destroyed it and all the souls who were in it. He left no one remaining. He did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho.

The capture of Makkedah demonstrates the complete execution of judgment, linking the place name directly to the theme of divine justice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Makkedah mean?

The name Makkedah is generally translated as "place of shepherds." This suggests a rural setting focused on livestock rather than a fortified city. The meaning helps readers visualize the type of location where these events took place.

Why is Makkedah mentioned so many times in Joshua?

Makkedah appears eight times because it was a key site during Joshua’s campaigns in Judah. The repeated mentions anchor the narrative in specific geography, showing how Israel secured territory. Each reference ties back to the broader theme of divine victory and land consolidation.

What happened at Makkedah in Joshua 10?

In Joshua 10, five Canaanite kings hid in a cave at Makkedah after their defeat. Joshua found them, brought them out, and executed them. This event is recorded to show God’s direct involvement in the battle and the fulfillment of His promise to give Israel the land.

Every Occurrence (8 verses across 1 books)

Joshua 8 verses

Joshua 10:10

Yahweh confused them before Israel. He killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them by the way of the…

Joshua 10:16

These five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.

Joshua 10:17

Joshua was told, saying, “The five kings have been found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah.”

Joshua 10:21

all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace. None moved his tongue against any of the children…

Joshua 10:28

Joshua took Makkedah on that day, and struck it with the edge of the sword, with its king. He utterly destroyed it and…

Joshua 10:29

Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, to Libnah, and fought against Libnah.

Joshua 12:16

the king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one;

Joshua 15:41

Gederoth, Beth Dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages.