Beth-Maacah
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient Canaanite and Israelite city located at the southern base of Mount Hermon, identified with the site of Tel el-Qadi.
What is the meaning of Beth-Maacah in the Bible?
Beth-ma'akah was a city situated in the territory of Naphtali, distinct from Abel-beth-ma'akah, and is identified with the archaeological site at Tel el-Qadi near Banias.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying this location clarifies the northern territorial boundaries of the tribe of Naphtali and the geopolitical landscape described in the books of Kings and Chronicles.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Beth-Maacah (located near modern Tel el-Qadi (Banias), near the northern border of ancient Israel) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Beth-Maacah in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Beth-Maacah clarify?
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.
How to Cite This Entry
"Beth-Maacah." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/bethmaacah/