What and who is…
Maachah

also known as: Maacah, Maakah, Ma'akha, Maakath

Hebrew: מַעֲכָה‎ —transliteration: Ma`akah —possible meaning: oppression, crused —derived from the root word Maakath (akah) meaning “to press” or “to squeeze”

This is the name of various biblical men, women, and a kingdom.

  1. Maachah, a small Syrian (Aramean) kingdom

    It was near Geshur, east of the Hauran, the district of Batanea (Joshua 13:13; 2 Samuel 10:6; 10:8; 1 Chronicles 19:7). It was known as the land of Maacah.

    It is located near the Golan Heights, Syria.

    People of this land are called Maachathites (Deuteronomy 3:14).

  2. Princess Maachah, a wife of King David

    She became one of David's wives, and was the mother of Prince Absalom (2 Samuel 3:3) and Princess Tamar.

    She is one of the daughters of King Talmai, ruler of the old native population of Geshur.

    Q & A

  3. Maachah, father of Hanan

    Maachah is the father of Hanan who was in King David’s army and was one of his bodyguards (1 Chronicles 11:43).

    Nothing else is known about this Maachah.

    Q & A

  4. Maacah, son of Nahor and nephew of Abraham

    Nahor is the elder brother of Abraham. This Maacah is Nahor’s son by Reumah his concubine (Genesis 22:23-24).

    Relatives

    • Uncle: Abraham
    • Father: Nahor
    • Mother: Reumah
    • Maacah’s Brothers: Tebah, Gaham and Tahash
    Q & A

  5. Maachah, a daughter of Abishalom (aka Absalom)

    also known as: Michaiah

    She is the 3rd and most beloved wife of the polygamous King Rehoboam (1 Kings 15:2).

    Granddaughter of Absalom, favorite wife of Rehoboam, mother of Abijah of Judah, and grandmother of Asa of Judah. She served as Gebirah for Asa until he deposed her for idolatry. (1 Kings 15:1-14, 2 Chronicles 11:20-22, 2 Chronicles 15:16)

    …he took Maacah the daughter of Absalom, and she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.

    And Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom more than all his other wives and concubines. For he had taken 18 wives and 60 concubines and became the father of 28 sons and 60 daughters. And Rehoboam set up Abijah the son of Maacah to be head and ruler among his brothers, for he intended to make him king. —2 Chronicles 11:20-22

    Maachah is alos called “Michaiah the daughter of Uriel,” who was the husband of Absalom's daughter Tamar (2 Chronicles 13:2).

    Her son Abijah (aka Abijam) was heir to the throne.

    He reigned three years in Jerusalem… And he walked in all the sins of his father which he had committed before him; and his heart was not wholly devoted to Yahweh his God …there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life. —1 Kings 15:2, 6 excerpt

    Q & A

  6. King Maachah of Gath

    also known as: Maoch

    He is the father of King Achish of Gath (1 Kings 2:39). He is also called Maoch (1 Samuel 27:2).

    During Solomon's reign, the slaves of Shimei the son of Gera the Benjamite fled to Achish.

    But it happened at the end of 3 years, that 2 of the slaves of Shimei ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, “Behold, your slaves are in Gath.” —1 Kings 2:39

    About a half-century earlier than this event, David had fled to Achish, son of Maoch, King of Gath, with 600 men (1 Samuel 27:2).

    More information

  7. Maacah, a concubine of Caleb, son of Hezron

    She bore 4 sons to Caleb son of Hezron: Sheber, Tirhanah, Shaaph, Sheva

    She is mentioned once in 1 Chronicles 2:48-50.

    Q & A

  8. Maachah, wife of Jeiel (aka Yechiel)

    Jeiel is the father of Gibeon. Maachah is mentioned once in 1 Chronicles 8:29.

  9. Maachah, father of Shephatiah

    Shephatiah is son was the chief officer for the Simeonites in David's time (1 Chronicles 27:16).

    More information

  10. Maachah, wife of Machir

    Machir is a son of Manasseh. The Machirites clan settled in Gilead/Bashan.

    Maachah bore Machir sons named Peresh and Sheresh (1 Chronicles 7:15-16).

    Relatives

    • Father: not named, but he is of the Tribe of Benjamin
    • Husband: Machir, grandson of Joseph, great-grandson of Jacob
    • Brothers: Huppim and Shuppim, sons of Ir (1 Chronicles 7:15; 1 Chronicles 7:12)
    • Sister-in-law: Hammolecheth, the sister of Machir (1 Chronicles 7:18)
    • Sons: Peresh and Sheresh
    • Grandchildren via her sons: Ulam and Rakem (from Sheresh and Peresh)
    • Great-grandson: Bedan (Ulam’s son)

More information

Article Version: January 21, 2026