עֲזֵקָה
Azekah, a place in Palestine
Definition
Azekah is a fortified city in the Shephelah (lowland) region of Judah, strategically located between the hill country and the coastal plain. It is most famous as the site where God caused large hailstones to fall on the Amorite coalition, aiding Joshua's victory (Joshua 10:10-11). Later, it was one of the cities Rehoboam fortified for the defense of Judah (2 Chronicles 11:9) and was mentioned as a landmark in the story of David and Goliath, as the Philistine army camped between Socoh and Azekah (1 Samuel 17:1). In the prophetic books, it appears as a city under threat during the Babylonian siege of Judah (Jeremiah 34:7).
Biblical Usage
The name Azekah is used exclusively as a proper noun for a specific geographical location. It appears in historical narratives (Joshua, 1 Samuel, 2 Chronicles), a prophetic warning (Jeremiah), and a post-exilic population list (Nehemiah 11:30). Its usage consistently marks it as a significant Judean town in the lowlands, often in military contexts—either as a scene of divine intervention, a strategic fortress, or a territorial marker.
Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root עָזַק (ʿāzaq, H5823), meaning 'to till' or 'to dig around/hoe.' This suggests the site's name originally described it as a 'tilled place' or cultivated ground, indicating its agricultural value in the fertile Shephelah region.
Semantic Range
Azekah serves as a tangible reminder of God's intervention in history, particularly in securing the Promised Land for Israel. Its mention in Joshua 10 highlights God's direct action in battle through supernatural means (hailstones), demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant. In Jeremiah 34:7, its impending capture underscores the seriousness of God's judgment against Judah for covenant disobedience, framing the city's fate within a larger theological narrative of blessing and curse.
As a fortified city in the Shephelah, Azekah was a key defensive outpost for the Kingdom of Judah, protecting the approaches to the central hill country and Jerusalem. Its location made it a frequent flashpoint in conflicts between Israel and the Philistines (as in 1 Samuel 17) and later regional powers. The name reflecting cultivation ('tilled') points to its economic role as a productive agricultural center, vital for the kingdom's sustenance.
Socoh (Sokoh, H7755) — A nearby town often paired with Azekah geographically (1 Samuel 17:1). Lachish (Lākîsh, H3923) — Another major fortified city in the Judahite Shephelah, frequently mentioned alongside Azekah in military contexts (Jeremiah 34:7).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →