Makkedah
Herdsman’s place, one of the royal cities of the Canaanites (Josh 12:16), near which was a cave where the five kings who had confederated against Israel sought refuge (Josh 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.)
Named in the Bible
8 verses
- Joshua 10:10 And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.
- Joshua 10:16 But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.
- Joshua 10:17 And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.
- Joshua 10:21 And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.
- Joshua 10:28 And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho.
- Joshua 10:29 Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah:
- Joshua 12:16 The king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one;
- Joshua 15:41 And Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages:
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.
