Who was Maacah in the Bible?

Maacah was the father of Shephatiah, who served as the leader of the tribe of Simeon during the reign of King David. He is mentioned only briefly in a list of military and tribal leaders (1 Chronicles 27:16).

What is the significance of Maacah in the Bible?

Maacah's significance lies in his son's leadership role, which connects him to the organized tribal and military structure of David's kingdom. This highlights how God worked through established family lines and leadership to govern His people.

What key events was Maacah involved in?

The Bible does not record specific events in Maacah's life. His mention is genealogical and administrative, solely noting his relationship to a tribal leader during a period of national consolidation under David.

Maacah

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleLeaderFather

Maacah was the father of Shephatiah, the leader of the Simeonites during the reign of King David (1Ch.27.16).

Maacah

Biography

Maacah served as the father of Shephatiah, who held the position of tribal leader over the Simeonites during the administration of King David. He is mentioned in the comprehensive roster of tribal officials recorded in 1 Chronicles 27:16, which catalogs the leaders David appointed over each of the twelve tribes of Israel. This administrative framework represented David's effort to organize the nation's governance structure, ensuring that each tribe had effective representation and leadership. While little else is known about Maacah personally, his place in the genealogical record connects him to the broader story of Simeon's tribe and the careful administrative order that characterized David's kingdom during its golden era of unity and military strength.

Significance

Though Maacah appears only briefly in Scripture, his mention within the organizational structure of David's kingdom reveals the deliberate care with which Israel's greatest king governed the nation. The appointment of tribal leaders reflected God's design for orderly governance among His people, with each tribe maintaining its distinct identity while contributing to the unified whole. Maacah's role as father of a tribal chief underscores the biblical principle that faithful service often operates through established family lines and institutional structures. His inclusion in the Chronicler's record demonstrates that even those who serve behind the scenes play an essential role in sustaining the community of faith.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 27:16

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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