Who was Maacah in the Bible?

Maacah was a woman from the tribe of Manasseh, the wife of Machir and the mother of his sons Peresh and Sheresh. She is also identified as the sister of Huppim and Shuppim (1 Chronicles 7:15-16).

Why is Maacah mentioned in the Bible?

Maacah is mentioned to establish the lineage and family connections within the tribe of Manasseh. Her listing helps trace the genealogy and inheritance of the Israelite tribes as recorded in Chronicles.

What is significant about Maacah's family?

Maacah's marriage to Machir connected her to a prominent family; Machir was a son of Manasseh and a noted warrior. Through her sons Peresh and Sheresh, she contributed to the continuation of this important clan (1 Chronicles 7:16).

Maacah

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessFemaleMotherSister

Maacah, the sister of Huppim and Shuppim, was the wife of Machir and mother of Peresh and Sheresh (1Ch.7.15,16).

Maacah

Biography

Maacah was a woman of the tribe of Manasseh who married Machir, a prominent descendant of the patriarch Manasseh and the father of Gilead. She is identified as the sister of Huppim and Shuppim in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 7:15-16. Through her marriage to Machir, Maacah became the mother of Peresh and Sheresh, continuing the important Manassite lineage that would become closely associated with the Transjordanian territory of Gilead. The Machirite clan, to which she belonged by marriage, was known for its military strength and played a significant role in the conquest of the territories east of the Jordan River. Maacah's position in this genealogy highlights her role as a matriarchal figure within one of the most influential families of the half-tribe of Manasseh.

Significance

Maacah's inclusion in the Manassite genealogy demonstrates the biblical practice of acknowledging women's essential contributions to tribal continuity and identity. As the wife of Machir and mother of Peresh and Sheresh, she stood at a critical genealogical juncture in one of Israel's most militarily significant clans. The Machirites' conquest of Gilead (Numbers 32:39-40) depended on the family structure that women like Maacah sustained. Her presence in the record affirms that the preservation of covenant community required the faithfulness of both men and women, and that maternal lineages were valued in Israel's self-understanding. She represents the often unsung women whose domestic faithfulness undergirded Israel's national life.

Verse Appearances (2)

1Chr

1Chr 7:15 1Chr 7:16

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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