Ummah
Ummah is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Galilee in modern-day Israel. Known today as Tel Akko. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Ummah appears only once in Scripture, in Joshua 19:30, within the listing of towns assigned to the tribe of Asher following the Israelite conquest of Canaan. The verse enumerates Ummah among a series of cities that defined the boundaries and settlements of Asher's inheritance in the northern coastal region of Galilee. Though the text provides no narrative details about Ummah itself, the context makes clear that Asher's territory was strategically located near the Phoenician coast, bordered by powerful neighboring cities and trade routes. Some scholars have suggested the name Ummah may be a scribal variant of Acco (Acre), one of the most prominent cities of the region, though this remains debated. If Ummah is distinct from Acco, it represents one of the lesser-known settlements in Asher's tribal allotment, a reminder that many cities mentioned in the conquest narratives were modest towns whose stories have been largely lost to history. The passage in which Ummah appears underscores Israel's understanding that the land was a divine inheritance, with every city — named and unnamed — part of the covenant promise given to the twelve tribes.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
The identification of Ummah is uncertain. Some scholars equate it with ancient Acco, known today as Acre (Akko), in northwestern Israel near the Bay of Haifa. Tel Akko has been extensively excavated and reveals occupation from the Early Bronze Age through the Islamic period. Alternatively, Ummah may represent a distinct, smaller site. The LXX renders the name differently, adding to the identification difficulties. The Akko region is rich archaeologically, with Phoenician, Persian, Hellenistic, and Crusader layers attested. If Ummah is indeed a scribal variant of Acco, it would correspond to one of the most continuously occupied urban sites in the Levant.
Verse Appearances (1)
Josh
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →