MAKKEDAH. A Canaanite royal city in the Shephçlah, where the five kings of the Canaanites, defeated by Joshua at Gibeon, and chased by Israel down the valley by way of Beth-horon and Azekah, took refuge in a cave ( Joshua 10:10; Joshua 10:16 ff.), whence, later, by Joshua’s orders, they were brought forth and slain. The city was taken and the inhabitants put to the sword. Azekah has not been identified, but in Joshua 15:41 it is named with Gederoth, Beth-dagon, and Naamah, which may be identified with the modern Katrah, Dajûn , and Na’aneh . In this district the name Makkedah has not been found, but Warren and Conder agree in suggesting el-Mughâr , ‘the cave,’ as the most likely spot. The rock-quarrying and tombs mark an ancient site, and caves are found in no other place where Makkedah might be located. It lies on the N. of Wâdy Surâr , about 15 miles S. of Jaffa. The Onomasticon places it about 7 miles E. of Eleutheropolis ( Beit Jibrîn ), a position hardly to be reckoned within the Shephçlah.
W. Ewing.