Aram maacah (Hastings' Dictionary)
1 Ch 19". The more southerly part of Syria. See Aram. ARAM-NAHARAIM, ARAM-REHOB, and ARAM-
This topic also has an entry in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Both articles offer independent scholarly perspectives.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Aram maacah
## Biblical References and Narrative Aram-maacah appears in the Old Testament as a small kingdom or region associated with the Arameans, a Semitic people who inhabited parts of modern-day Syria and northern Israel. The name is found primarily in two contexts: the reign of King David and the reign of King Solomon. In 1 Chronicles 19:6, the Ammonites, facing conflict with David, hire chariots and horsemen from Aram-maacah (along with Aram-zobah and other Aramean states) to fight against Israel. This passage reads: "When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire chariots and charioteers from Aram Naharaim, Aram Maacah, and Zobah" (1 Chronicles 19:6, NIV). This alliance highlights the interconnectedness of the small Aramean kingdoms and their willingness to oppose Israel. The kingdom is also mentioned in 2 Samuel 10:6, which parallels the Chronicles account: "When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth Rehob and Zobah,…
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia