Taanach(tanach)
“Sandy ground or fortified place”
Summary
Taanach was an ancient Canaanite city in the western portion of the plain of Esdraelon, whose king was defeated by Joshua and which became an important strategic location in Israelite history.
☩Location and Early History
Taanach was an ancient Canaanite city located in the southwestern portion of the great plain of Esdraelon, about four miles southeast of Megiddo and thirteen miles southwest of Nazareth. Its name likely means 'sandy' or 'fortified.' The city is almost always mentioned in conjunction with Megiddo, as they were the chief towns of this fertile district. Though allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh, it lay within the original territory assigned to Issachar.
☩Strategic Importance
Taanach possessed some strength of position or terrain favorable for military operations, which allowed the aboriginal Canaanites to maintain a foothold there despite Israel's conquest. The Israelites were unable to drive out the Canaanites completely, though they eventually subjected them to forced labor. During the great struggle against Sisera, this area formed the headquarters of the Canaanite army, and it was near 'the waters of Megiddo' that the kings of Canaan were defeated. Under Solomon, it became part of the administrative district of Baana ben Ahilud.
☩Archaeological Significance
The site is represented by the modern tell of Ta'annek, where excavations have uncovered cuneiform tablets dating to around 1450 BC containing correspondence with Egyptian officials. The name appears in the list of Thothmes III at Karnak, and Shishak also recorded his plundering of the city when he invaded Palestine during the reign of Jeroboam I.
Related Verses8 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Taanach," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Taanach," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Taanach," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Taanach," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).