Metheg Ammah
“Bridle of the Mother City”
Summary
A place or symbolic designation captured by David from the Philistines.
☩David's Conquest
'After this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines' (2 Samuel 8:1). This victory was part of David's systematic subjugation of Israel's traditional enemies.
☩Meaning of the Name
The Hebrew phrase metheg ha-ammah literally means 'the bridle of the mother city.' This may indicate control of Gath, the chief city of the Philistines, whose capture would give David dominance over the entire Philistine region. The parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 18:1 reads 'Gath and her towns.'
☩Symbolic Significance
The imagery of a 'bridle' suggests complete control—as one controls a horse with a bridle, so David now controlled Philistia. For generations the Philistines had oppressed Israel; now Israel held the reins. This reversal fulfilled the promise that Israel would rule over their enemies.
Related Verses1 mention
2 Samuel· 1 verse