מָעוֹךְ

Maok, a Philistine

Definition

Maok (also spelled Maoch in the KJV) is a proper noun referring to the father of Achish, king of Gath, as recorded in 1 Samuel 27:2. He is identified as a Philistine, a member of the coastal people group that was a persistent adversary of Israel during the time of the judges and early monarchy. The name itself, meaning 'oppressed' or 'pressed down,' is his only appearance in the biblical text, and no other details about his life or actions are provided. His significance lies entirely in his familial relationship to King Achish, who gave refuge to the fugitive David.

Biblical Usage

The word מָעוֹךְ (Mâʻôwk) is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Samuel 27:2. It functions strictly as a proper name, identifying the father of Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. The context is David's flight from King Saul, where he seeks asylum in Philistine territory. The name serves a purely genealogical and identificatory purpose within this historical narrative, providing the lineage of the foreign king who hosted David.

Etymology

The name Maok is derived from the Hebrew root מָעַךְ (māʿak, H4600), which means 'to press, squeeze, or crush.' As a proper noun, it is a passive participle form, meaning 'oppressed' or 'one who is pressed down.' This follows a common Hebrew practice of using descriptive words or states of being as personal names.

Semantic Range

In the ancient Near East, names often carried descriptive or aspirational meaning. While 'Maok' means 'oppressed,' it is unclear if this reflected his personal experience, a family circumstance, or was simply a traditional name. As the father of a Philistine king, he was part of the ruling class of one of Israel's chief enemy nations during the pre-monarchic and early monarchic periods. His son's kingdom, Gath, was a major Philistine city-state.

Word Details

Scripture References