Abel-Beth-Maacah
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient fortified city in the upper Galilee region, identified with the modern site of Tell Qum in southern Lebanon.
What is the meaning of Abel-Beth-Maacah in the Bible?
Abel-beth-maachah was a northern Israelite city situated near the Dan River, noted in biblical narratives for its role in the pursuit of the rebel Sheba by Joab and its subsequent capture by the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser III.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the geographical position of Abel-beth-maachah clarifies the extent of Israelite territorial control in the north and illustrates the geopolitical pressures exerted by expanding Assyrian forces during the late Iron Age.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.