Lexical Summary
Abel Mayim: Abel of the Waters
Original Word:אַבֵל מַיִם
Part of Speech:Proper Name Location
Transliteration:Abel Mayim
Pronunciation:ah-VEL MAH-yeem
Phonetic Spelling:(aw-bale' mah'-yim)
KJV: Abel-maim
NASB:Abel-maim
Word Origin:[fromH58 (אָבֵל - Mourning) andH4325 (מַיִם - water)]
1. meadow of water
2. Abel-Majim, a place in Israel
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Abel-maim
From'abel andmayim; meadow of water; Abel-Majim, a place in Palestine -- Abel-maim.
see HEBREW'abel
see HEBREWmayim
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
abel and
mayimDefinition"meadow of water," same location as NH0062
NASB TranslationAbel-maim (1).
Topical Lexicon
Geographical SettingAbel-Mayim occupied a strategic point in the far north of the land, on the approaches to the upper Hula Valley and within reach of both the tribal territory of Naphtali and the city of Dan. The site’s abundance of springs made it valuable for agriculture, herding, and as a staging ground for military movements that required reliable water supplies. Modern identifications often favor Tell Abil (Abil el-Qamh), but the precise location remains subject to further archaeological confirmation.
Biblical Context
The place enters the biblical record only once, in the reign of King Asa of Judah. Under pressure from Baasha of Israel, Asa sought aid from Ben-Hadad of Aram. The Aramean king obliged:
“Ben-Hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel. They conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel-Mayim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.” (2 Chronicles 16:4)
The loss of Abel-Mayim and its neighboring towns forced Baasha to halt his southern fortification at Ramah, relieving Judah. Yet the prophet Hanani later rebuked Asa for relying on Syria instead of the LORD (2 Chronicles 16:7-9).
Historical Significance
1. Military Corridor: Control of Abel-Mayim meant dominion over the northern routes that connected Phoenicia, Aram, and the inland valleys of Galilee.
2. Border Dynamics: Its fall illustrates how border towns repeatedly changed hands between Israel, Aram, and later Assyria (compare2 Kings 15:29).
3. Political Turning Point: The episode exposed Judah’s vulnerability and Asa’s compromised faith, setting a cautionary pattern for later kings who looked to foreign alliances rather than covenant obedience.
Intertextual Connections
Many scholars equate Abel-Mayim with Abel-Beth-Maacah, where Sheba’s rebellion ended (2 Samuel 20:14-22) and which Tiglath-Pileser III later captured (2 Kings 15:29). If the identification is correct, the town witnessed repeated sieges that underscore its defensive importance and its residents’ reputation for wisdom and negotiation (2 Samuel 20:16-22).
Theological Insights
• Divine Sovereignty over Nations: The LORD can employ external powers—even pagan Aram—to discipline or deliver His people, yet He still calls His covenant people to trust Him alone.
• The High Cost of Compromise: Asa’s success in freeing Judah was short-lived; reliance on human alliances brought prophetic censure and future conflict (2 Chronicles 16:9). Abel-Mayim thus becomes a silent witness to the tension between pragmatic politics and wholehearted faith.
• Mercy in Judgment: Although Israel lost key northern towns, the LORD’s overarching plan for redemption continued unabated, demonstrating that even geopolitical setbacks cannot thwart His purposes.
Archaeological Notes
Surface surveys at Tell Abil have revealed Iron Age pottery, defensive earthworks, and proximity to perennial springs—features consistent with the biblical description. Ongoing excavations may yet clarify whether the tell preserves the layers corresponding to Asa’s era and later Assyrian destruction levels.
Applications for Ministry
1. Leadership: The account challenges leaders to weigh immediate tactical gains against long-term spiritual integrity.
2. Prayer and Dependence: Congregations can reflect on the lesson that success achieved without seeking the LORD may invite later discipline.
3. Teaching Biblical Geography: Mapping Abel-Mayim alongside Dan and Ijon helps students visualize the northern theater of Israelite history and appreciate the narrative flow of Kings and Chronicles.
Summary
Abel-Mayim stands as a northern stronghold whose brief mention in Scripture highlights vital themes: the volatility of border politics, the folly of misplaced trust, and the unbroken thread of God’s sovereign governance. Its story, though concise, enriches our understanding of the divided monarchy and offers enduring counsel for faith-filled living today.
Forms and Transliterations
מָ֑יִם מים mā·yim Mayim māyim
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
