Who was Maacah in the Bible?

Maacah was the mother of Kish and the grandmother of King Saul, Israel's first king. She is mentioned in genealogical records in 1 Chronicles 8:29 and 9:35.

Why is Maacah significant?

Her significance lies in her family lineage, as she is the matriarchal link to the tribe of Benjamin from which King Saul came. While no key events of her life are recorded, her inclusion establishes the royal genealogy.

What does the Bible say about Maacah's life?

The Bible provides no narrative details about Maacah's life or key events. Her mention is purely genealogical, serving to document the ancestry of Saul within the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 9:35-39).

Maacah

Old TestamentUnited MonarchyFemaleSaul's family

Maacah, the mother of Kish, the father of Saul (1Ch.8.29; 9.35).

Maacah

Biography

Maacah was a woman in the Benjamite genealogy who appears in the records of the family of Gibeon as recorded in 1 Chronicles 8:29 and 9:35. She is identified in connection with Jeiel, the father of Gibeon, placing her within the ancestral line that would eventually produce Kish and his son Saul, Israel's first king. Her position in this genealogy connects her to one of the most consequential family lines in Israelite history, the house that gave rise to the Saulide dynasty. The Chronicler's double listing of this genealogy, in both chapters 8 and 9, underscores its importance for establishing the legitimate heritage of the Benjamite royal family. Maacah's presence in this lineage provides maternal grounding for the family tree from which Israel's monarchy emerged.

Significance

Maacah's genealogical position within the Saulide family tree connects her to the origins of Israelite monarchy. Her inclusion in the Chronicler's record demonstrates the importance of complete genealogical documentation for establishing royal legitimacy. The family line passing through her contributed to producing Saul, whose reign, though ultimately unsuccessful, represented God's response to Israel's demand for a king and served as a foil for the Davidic dynasty that followed. Maacah's presence in the genealogy reminds readers that behind every prominent biblical figure stands a network of ancestors whose faithfulness and identity preserved the family lines through which God's purposes advanced in Israel's history.

Verse Appearances (2)

1Chr

1Chr 8:29 1Chr 9:35

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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