מַקֵּדָה
Makkedah, a place in Palestine
Definition
Makkedah is a proper noun referring to a Canaanite city in the lowlands of Judah, known primarily from the conquest narratives in the book of Joshua. It served as a hiding place for five Amorite kings after their defeat at Gibeon, where Joshua and the Israelites pursued and trapped them in a cave (Joshua 10:16-17). The city was later captured, its king executed, and its inhabitants devoted to destruction, as part of the Israelite conquest of the southern Canaanite coalition (Joshua 10:28-29). In the territorial allotments, Makkedah is listed among the cities in the inheritance of the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:41).
Biblical Usage
The word 'Makkedah' is used exclusively in the book of Joshua, appearing eight times across two main contexts. First, it denotes the location where five Amorite kings hid in a cave after their defeat, which Joshua then used as a temporary prison before their execution (Joshua 10:16-27). Second, it refers to the Canaanite city itself, which Joshua captured and destroyed along with its king, as part of the systematic conquest of southern Canaan (Joshua 10:28-29, 12:16). Its listing in Joshua 15:41 confirms its location within Judah's territory.
Etymology
The name 'Makkedah' (מַקֵּדָה) is derived from the root נ־ק־ד (n-q-d), which relates to marking or herding. It likely comes from the same source as H5348 (נָקֹד, 'spotted') and H5349 (נֹקֵד, 'sheep herder'), suggesting a possible original meaning of 'place of shepherds' or 'fold'. This etymology points to its potential function as a pastoral settlement or a location associated with livestock before becoming a fortified city.
Semantic Range
Makkedah is significant theologically as a site of divine judgment and fulfillment of God's covenant promises. Its capture demonstrates God's faithfulness in giving the land of Canaan to Israel, as commanded (e.g., Deuteronomy 7:1-2). The execution of its king and the destruction of its inhabitants underscore the theme of ḥerem (devotion to destruction) against Canaanite idolatry and corruption. Understanding Makkedah enriches reading by highlighting the seriousness of God's holiness and the consequential nature of Israel's obedience during the conquest.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, Makkedah was a Canaanite city-state, typical of the fortified settlements in the Shephelah (lowland) region. Its mention alongside cities like Lachish and Eglon (Joshua 10:3, 5) places it within a network of political alliances that resisted Israel's incursion. The practice of trapping enemy kings in a cave (Joshua 10:16-18) reflects ancient warfare tactics, where such captives were often publicly executed to demonstrate victory and deter future resistance.
Lachish (לָכִישׁ, H3923) — another major Canaanite city in the Shephelah conquered by Joshua. Libnah (לִבְנָה, H3841) — a nearby city also captured in the same southern campaign (Joshua 10:29-30).
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 →