Lexical Summary Akshaph: Akshaph Original Word: אַכְשָׁף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Achshaph From kashaph; fascination; Acshaph, a place in Palestine -- Achshaph. see HEBREW kashaph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a place in N. Canaan NASB Translation Achshaph (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs אַכְשָׁף proper name, of a location in (Northern) Canaan, with a king Joshua 11:1; Joshua 12:20; situated on the border of Asher Joshua 19:25, Egyptian 'A-k-sap WMMAs.u.Eur.181; ᵐ5 B Αζειφ A Ἀχσαφ, ᵐ5L (Ἀ) χασαφ, etc.; site dubious; modern Iksâf or Kesâf, RobBR iii. 55, approximately 17 miles east of Tyre, and nearly 3 miles southwest of the great bend of the Litâny, is phonetically suitable, but much too far northeast for Joshua 19:25; possibly there were two Akšaphs; compare DiJoshua 11:1 BuhlGeogr.237. See further KrallTyrus U. Sidon 10, LagOnom. 218. 91, 3; 2d ed. 239. Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Akshaph was a fortified Canaanite city situated in the northern reaches of the Promised Land, on the western edge of the Jezreel Valley where the coastal plain meets the Galilean foothills. The site controlled a segment of the Via Maris—the international highway that linked Egypt with Syria-Mesopotamia—making Akshaph strategically important for trade and military movements. Most scholars identify the city with modern Tell Keisan, approximately fourteen kilometers southeast of Acre, though a minority suggest Tell Regev farther inland. Its elevation above fertile plains provided natural defenses and oversight of the grain route from the lowlands into the hill country. Biblical Narrative 1. Coalition Against Israel (Joshua 11:1) Following Israel’s southern victories, “Jabin king of Hazor … sent word to Jobab king of Madon, to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph” (Berean Standard Bible). Akshaph’s ruler joined the northern confederacy that marshaled at the waters of Merom. The swift Israelite counter-attack under Joshua shattered the alliance. Akshaph therefore stands as an early witness to the fulfillment of God’s promise that “no one will be able to stand against you” (Joshua 1:5). 2. Record of Defeat (Joshua 12:20) The kings subdued by Joshua are recorded in a formal catalogue: “the king of Achshaph, one” (Joshua 12:20). The terse entry testifies that even well-fortified urban centers, with royal protocol and military alliances, fell when arrayed against the covenant people walking in obedience. 3. Allotment to Asher (Joshua 19:24-26) In the distribution of the land, “the territory of the tribe of the sons of Asher” extended from the coast inland and included “Allammelech, Amad, and Mishal. On the west it touched Carmel and Shihor-libnath. Then it turned east toward Beth-dagon, and touched Zebulun and the valley of Iphtahel … and reached to Achshaph” (excerpted). Akshaph thus became part of the inheritance promised through Abraham, entrusted to Asher for cultivation, settlement, and witness among the nations. Historical Significance • Strategic hub — Its command of the trade artery linking Acco’s port with the hinterland meant wealth from tolls and exchange, explaining the city’s ability to field forces for Jabin’s coalition. Theological and Ministry Implications • The Lord’s sovereignty over nations: Akshaph’s fall despite its alliances underscores divine supremacy in the orchestration of history and geopolitics. Ministry leaders can draw confidence that no human coalition can thwart God’s redemptive agenda. Archaeological Insights Excavations at Tell Keisan reveal continuous Bronze- and Iron-Age occupation, massive earthworks, and imported Cypriot and Mycenaean pottery—evidence of the international connections suggested by Scripture. A destruction layer dating to the late thirteenth century BC aligns chronologically with Joshua’s northern campaign, lending material corroboration to the biblical narrative. Christological Perspective The defeat of Akshaph forms part of the broader conquest that prepared a geographical stage for redemptive history culminating in the Advent of Jesus Christ. Each subdued kingdom prefigures the ultimate subjugation of “all rule and all authority and power” under the risen Messiah (1 Corinthians 15:24). Summary Akshaph surfaces briefly yet meaningfully in Scripture: a strategic Canaanite stronghold, a defeated enemy of Israel, and an inheritance granted to Asher. Its account proclaims the faithfulness of God to His promises, the necessity of full obedience among His people, and the enduring relevance of ancient events for contemporary faith and ministry. Forms and Transliterations אַכְשָֽׁף׃ אַכְשָׁ֖ף אכשף אכשף׃ וְאַכְשָֽׁף׃ ואכשף׃ ’aḵ·šāp̄ ’aḵšāp̄ achShaf veachShaf wə’aḵšāp̄ wə·’aḵ·šāp̄Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 11:1 HEB: וְאֶל־ מֶ֥לֶךְ אַכְשָֽׁף׃ NAS: and to the king of Achshaph, KJV: and to the king of Achshaph, INT: and to the king of Achshaph Joshua 12:20 Joshua 19:25 3 Occurrences |
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