Maachah
“Oppression or pressure”
Summary
Maachah (also spelled Maacah) was a common name in the Old Testament, borne by both men and women including the favorite wife of Rehoboam and mother of Abijam, who was later removed from her position for idolatry.
☩Notable Women
The most prominent Maachah was the granddaughter of Absalom (through his daughter Tamar and her husband Uriel of Gibeah), who became Rehoboam's favorite wife and mother of his successor Abijam. She held the powerful position of 'queen mother' during her grandson Asa's minority, but was deposed when he came of age because she had made an idol to the goddess Asherah. Another Maachah was the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur and mother of Absalom—the grandmother of the later queen mother.
☩Notable Men
Several men also bore this name. Maachah was the father of Achish, king of Gath in Solomon's time. Another was the father of Hanan, one of David's mighty warriors, and yet another was father of Shephatiah, prince of the tribe of Simeon.
☩The Kingdom of Maacah
Maacah was also a small Aramean kingdom east of Bashan, near the territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh. The people of this region (Maachathites) were not expelled when Israel conquered the land. When the Ammonites went to war against David, they hired soldiers from Maacah along with other Syrian states.
Related Verses30 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Maachah," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Maachah," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).