Makkedah is a significant location mentioned in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of the Israelite conquest of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua. It is primarily noted for its role in the narrative of the southern campaign against the Amorite kings.

Biblical References:

The most prominent mention of Makkedah is found in the Book of Joshua. After the miraculous event where the sun stood still at Gibeon, Joshua and the Israelites pursued the Amorite kings who had fled. The five kings of the Amorites—those of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon—sought refuge in a cave at Makkedah. Joshua 10:16-17 states, "Now the five kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah. And it was reported to Joshua: 'The five kings have been found; they are hiding in the cave at Makkedah.'"

Joshua commanded that large stones be rolled against the mouth of the cave and guards be posted to keep the kings inside. After the Israelites had defeated their enemies, Joshua ordered the kings to be brought out. In Joshua 10:24-26 , it is recorded, "When they had brought these kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the commanders of the troops who had gone with him, 'Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.' So they came forward and placed their feet on their necks. 'Do not be afraid or discouraged,' Joshua said. 'Be strong and courageous, for the LORD will do this to all the enemies you fight.' After this, Joshua struck them down and killed them, and he hung their bodies on five trees, where they remained until evening."

Following this, Makkedah itself was captured and its king was defeated, as recorded in Joshua 10:28 : "On that day Joshua captured Makkedah and put it to the sword, along with its king. He devoted to destruction everyone in the city, leaving no survivors. And he did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho."

Historical and Geographical Context:

Makkedah is believed to have been located in the Shephelah region of ancient Canaan, an area characterized by lowlands and foothills. The exact location of Makkedah has been a subject of debate among scholars and archaeologists, but it is generally thought to be near the modern-day site of Khirbet el-Kheishum or Tel Maqedah.

Theological Significance:

The events at Makkedah underscore several key themes in the biblical narrative. First, they highlight the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel regarding the conquest of the Promised Land. The defeat of the Amorite kings and the capture of Makkedah demonstrate God's power and faithfulness in delivering Israel's enemies into their hands.

Additionally, the account of Makkedah serves as a testament to the leadership of Joshua, who is portrayed as a faithful and courageous leader, obedient to God's commands. The act of placing feet on the necks of the defeated kings symbolizes the complete subjugation of Israel's enemies and serves as a powerful visual of God's deliverance.

Cultural and Archaeological Insights:

While archaeological evidence specific to Makkedah is limited, the broader context of the Shephelah region provides insights into the cultural and historical backdrop of the narrative. The Shephelah was a strategically important area, serving as a buffer zone between the coastal plains and the central highlands. The cities in this region, including Makkedah, were often fortified and played crucial roles in the defense and control of the area.

In summary, Makkedah is a key location in the biblical account of Israel's conquest of Canaan, illustrating themes of divine intervention, leadership, and the fulfillment of God's promises.Makkedah

worshiping; burning; raised; crookedness

Makkedah

(place of shepherds), a place memorable in the annals of the conquest of Canaan as the scene of the execution by Joshua of the five confederate kings, (Joshua 10:10-50) who had hidden themselves in a cave at this place. (It was a royal city of the Canaanites, in the plains of Judah. Conder identifies it with the modern el-Moghar , 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem, where are two caves large enough to contain five men each. Schaff says that "one cave has, curiously enough, five loculi rudely scooped in its side, and an enthusiast might contend that this was the very place of sepulchre of the five kings."-ED.)

Makkedah

A chief city of the Canaanites, near which five confederate kings were defeated, taken in the cave to which they had fled, and executed. It lay in the vicinity of Libnah, Azekah, and Lachish, southwest of Jerusalem, in the tribe of Judah, Joshua 10:10-28; 12:16; 15:41.

Herdsman's place, one of the royal cities of the Canaanites (Joshua 12:16), near which was a cave where the five kings who had confederated against Israel sought refuge (10:10-29). They were put to death by Joshua, who afterwards suspended their bodies upon five trees. It has been identified with the modern village called Sumeil, standing on a low hill about 7 miles to the north-west of Eleutheropolis (Beit Jibrin), where are ancient remains and a great cave. The Palestine Exploration surveyors have, however, identified it with el-Mughar, or "the caves," 3 miles from Jabneh and 2 1/2 southwest of Ekron, because, they say, "at this site only of all possible sites for Makkedah in the Palestine plain do caves still exist." (see ADONI-ZEDEC.) MAKKEDAH

ma-ke'-da (maqqedhah; Makeda): A Canaanite royal city which Joshua captured, utterly destroying the inhabitants, and doing to the king as he had done unto the king of Jericho (Joshua 10:28; Joshua 12:16). It lay in the Shephelah of Judah (Joshua 15:41). It was brought into prominence by the flight thither of the 5 kings of the Amorites who, having united their forces for the destruction of Gibeon, were themselves defeated and pursued by Joshua (chapter 10). See ing their danger, the men of Gibeon sent to the camp at Gilgal beseeching Joshua to save and help them. That energetic commander marched all night with his full strength, fell upon the allies at Gibeon, slew them with a great slaughter, chased the fugitives down the valley by way of Beth-horon, and smote them unto Azekah and unto Makkedah. It was during this memorable pursuit that in response to Joshua's appeal:

"Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon;

And thou, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon," the sun stayed in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down a whole day, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies.

The 5 kings sought refuge in the cave at Makkedah, where, by Joshua's orders, they were blocked in with great stones, until the slaughter of the fugitives should be completed. Then the royal prisoners were brought out, and, after the chiefs of Israel had set their feet upon their necks, Joshua slew them and hanged them on five trees until sunset. This is an illustration of the old practice of impaling enemies after death. The bodies were then cast into the cave where they had sought to hide, and great stones were rolled against the entrance.

The flight of the allies was past Beth-boron and Azekah to Makkedah. Azekah is not identified, but it is named with Gederoth, Beth-dagon, and Naamah (Joshua 15:41). These are probably represented by Qatrah, Dajan and Na`aneh, so that in this district Makkedah may be sought. The officers of the Palestine Exploration Fund agree in suggesting el-Mughdr, "the cave," on the northern bank of Wady es-Surar, about 4 miles from the sand dunes on the shore. There are traces of old quarrying and many rock-cut tombs with loculi. "The village stands on a sort of promontory stretching into the valley.... divided into three plateaus; on the lower of these to the South is the modern village, el-Mughar, built in front of the caves which are cut out of the sandstone" (Warren). In no other place in the neighborhood are caves found. The narrative, however, speaks not of caves, but of "the cave," as of one which was notable. On the other hand the events narrated may have lent distinction to some particular cave among the many. "The cave" would therefore be that associated with the fate of the 5 kings. No certainty is possible.

W. Ewing

4719. Maqqedah -- a place in Judah
... 4718, 4719. Maqqedah. 4720 . a place in Judah. Transliteration: Maqqedah Phonetic
Spelling: (mak-kay-daw') Short Definition: Makkedah. ... Makkedah. ...
/hebrew/4719.htm - 6k

How Joshua, the Commander of the Hebrews, Made War with The
... obstruction to the zeal of the Hebrews in pursuing their enemies; insomuch that
Joshua took the kings, who were hidden in a certain cave at Makkedah, and put ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how joshua the.htm

Makkedah (8 Occurrences)
... el-Mughar, or "the caves," 3 miles from Jabneh and 2 1/2 southwest of Ekron, because,
they say, "at this site only of all possible sites for Makkedah in the ...
/m/makkedah.htm - 12k

Makke'dah (8 Occurrences)
Makke'dah. Makkedah, Makke'dah. Maktesh . ... (See RSV). Joshua 10:16 And these
five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah. (See RSV). ...
/m/makke'dah.htm - 8k

Cave (40 Occurrences)
... 31; 50:13). The cave of Makkedah, into which the five Amorite kings retired
after their defeat by Joshua (10:16, 27). The cave of ...
/c/cave.htm - 25k

Smiteth (156 Occurrences)
... and it smiteth them -- a great smiting -- at Gibeon, and pursueth them the way of
the ascent of Beth-Horon, and smiteth them unto Azekah, and unto Makkedah. ...
/s/smiteth.htm - 38k

Gibeon (39 Occurrences)
... fenced cities. The five confederate kings who led the army were taken
prisoners, and put to death at Makkedah (qv). This eventful ...
/g/gibeon.htm - 31k

Naamah (5 Occurrences)
... (3.) A city in the plain of Judah (Joshua 15:41), supposed by some to be identified
with Na'aneh, some 5 miles south-east of Makkedah. Int. ...
/n/naamah.htm - 10k

Japhia (5 Occurrences)
... the battle of Beth-horon (10:10), "one of the most important in the history of the
world" (Stanley), they fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah (10:16 ...
/j/japhia.htm - 10k

Libnah (18 Occurrences)
... "Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him ... Joshua 10:29 Joshua passed
from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, to Libnah, and fought against Libnah. ...
/l/libnah.htm - 15k

Gederoth (2 Occurrences)
... GEDEROTH. ged'-e-roth, ge-de'-roth (gedheroth): A town in the Shephelah of Judah,
named with Kithlish, Beth-dagon, Naamah and Makkedah (Joshua 15:41). ...
/g/gederoth.htm - 7k

Totally (27 Occurrences)
... See NIV). Joshua 10:28 Joshua took Makkedah on that day, and struck it with
the edge of the sword, with its king. He utterly destroyed ...
/t/totally.htm - 14k

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