Makkedah

Makkedah, a Canaanite city where Joshua defeated and executed five Amorite kings who had hidden in a cave (Joshua 10:16-28).

Makkedah was a royal Canaanite city that played a significant role in Joshua's conquest of the southern region of Canaan (Joshua 12:16). During the battle of Gibeon, the five Amorite kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon fled to Makkedah and hid in a cave (Joshua 10:16). Joshua pursued them, captured the kings, and executed them (Joshua 10:17-27). He then attacked and conquered the city of Makkedah, putting its king and inhabitants to the sword (Joshua 10:28). Makkedah was later allotted to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:41). The exact location of Makkedah is uncertain, but it is believed to be situated in the Shephelah region, possibly near Azekah and Beth-shemesh.

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 (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.”