Name Meaning—Oppression or depression
Scripture employs this name in three different ways. It is given as the designation of a city in Syria (2 Samuel 10:8; 1 Chronicles 19:6, 7); of three or four males (2 Samuel 10:6; 1 Kings 2:39; 1 Chronicles 11:43; 27:16); and of several females distinguished thus—
1. Maachah, the son of Nahor by his concubine, Reumah (Genesis 22:24).
2. Maachah, the concubine of Caleb, son of Hezron (1 Chronicles 2:48).
3. Maachah, a woman of Benjamin, the wife of Machir the Manassite who was the father or founder of Gilead. This Maachah was the daughter-in-law of Manasseh, son of Joseph and mother of Peresh and Sheresh (1 Chronicles 7:12, 15, 16).
4. Maachah, the wife of Jehiel, father or founder of Gibeon, and ancestress of King Saul (1 Chronicles 8:29; 9:35).
5. Maachah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur, and therefore a woman of royal rank. Taken in battle by David, she became one of his eight wives and mother of Absalom (1 Chronicles 3:2; 2 Samuel 3:3).
6. Maachah, daughter or granddaughter of Absalom. According to common oriental usage, “daughter” must be understood as “granddaughter.” Absalom had only one real daughter, Tamar, who, if she married Uriel of Gibeah, had Maachah or Maacah as her daughter (2 Chronicles 13:2). The Maachah before us became the favorite wife of King Rehoboam and mother of King Abijah of Judah (1 Kings 15:1, 2; 2 Chronicles 11:20-22). Although a woman of strong character, her influence was on the side of idolatry. She maintained her position in the palace until the reign of her grandson, Asa, who finally degraded her for an act of peculiar infamy (1 Kings 15:13; 2 Chronicles 15:16).
7. Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom, mother of Asa, king of Judah, who followed his forbear David in doing that which was right in the sight of the Lord (1 Kings 15:10; 2 Chronicles 15:16).
Starting your free trial of Bible Gateway Plus is easy. You’re already logged in with your Bible Gateway account. The next step is to enter your payment information. Your credit card won’t be charged until the trial period is over. You can cancel anytime during the trial period.
Click the button below to continue.
You’ve already claimed your free trial of Bible Gateway Plus. To subscribe at our regular subscription rate of $3.99/month, click the button below.
It looks like you’re already subscribed to Bible Gateway Plus! To manage your subscription, visit your Bible Gateway account settings.
Now that you've created a Bible Gateway account, upgrade to Bible Gateway Plus: the ultimate online Bible reading & study experience! Bible Gateway Plus equips you to answer the toughest questions about faith, God, and the Bible with access to a vast digital Bible study library. And it's all integrated seamlessly into your Bible Gateway experience. Try it free for 30 days!
Three easy steps to start your free trial subscription to Bible Gateway Plus.