{
  "id": "dict_003624",
  "term": "Metheg-ammah",
  "slug": "metheg-ammah",
  "letter": "M",
  "entry_type": "geographical_term",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "An obscure expression in 2 Samuel 8:1 connected with David’s defeat of the Philistines. Its exact sense is disputed, but it is often understood as referring to Gath or to Philistine control centered there.",
  "simple_one_line": "An obscure biblical phrase in 2 Samuel 8:1, probably referring to Gath or its control.",
  "tooltip_text": "A difficult Hebrew expression in 2 Samuel 8:1; 1 Chronicles 18:1 helps clarify its likely meaning.",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "David",
    "Philistines",
    "Gath",
    "2 Samuel",
    "1 Chronicles"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Philistines",
    "Gath",
    "2 Samuel 8",
    "1 Chronicles 18"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "Metheg-ammah is a difficult expression in 2 Samuel 8:1 in the account of David’s victories over the Philistines. Many interpreters understand it as referring to Gath, or to the control of a leading Philistine city, with the parallel in 1 Chronicles 18:1 shedding light on the sense.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "Obscure Hebrew phrase in 2 Samuel 8:1",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "Occurs in David’s military victories",
    "exact meaning is uncertain",
    "likely connected with Gath",
    "parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 18:1 is important",
    "the main emphasis of the text is David’s God-given victory."
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "Metheg-ammah appears in 2 Samuel 8:1 in the account of David’s subduing the Philistines. The phrase is difficult, and interpreters differ on whether it names a specific place or means something like \"the bridle of the mother city,\" likely pointing to Gath or its dominance. The entry is best treated as a geographical/textual note rather than a doctrinal term.",
  "description_academic_full": "Metheg-ammah is an obscure expression in 2 Samuel 8:1, where David is said to have taken it from the Philistines. Conservative interpreters generally treat it as either a place-name or a figurative expression referring to control over a leading Philistine city, often connected with Gath in light of the parallel wording in 1 Chronicles 18:1. The precise etymology remains uncertain, so the entry should be handled carefully and without dogmatism. The main biblical point is clear: the Lord gave David victory over Israel’s enemies and extended his rule.",
  "background_biblical_context": "In the narrative of David’s military success, 2 Samuel 8:1 says that David \"took Metheg-ammah\" from the Philistines. The parallel in 1 Chronicles 18:1 reports that David took Gath and its towns. Together, these texts suggest that the phrase is tied to Philistine power, probably the city of Gath or its surrounding control.",
  "background_historical_context": "The Philistines were one of Israel’s chief enemies during the early monarchy, and Gath was one of their major city-states. In that setting, an expression like Metheg-ammah likely highlights David’s subjugation of an important Philistine center rather than introducing a separate theological concept.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "Ancient readers and later interpreters recognized the expression as difficult. The parallel account in Chronicles has often been used to clarify Samuel’s wording, and Jewish and Christian interpreters alike have usually treated the phrase as referring to a key Philistine stronghold.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "2 Samuel 8:1"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "1 Chronicles 18:1"
  ],
  "original_language_note": "The Hebrew phrase is difficult and debated. The wording may be a place-name or a descriptive expression. Because the parallel in Chronicles mentions Gath, many understand Metheg-ammah as related to that city or to its control.",
  "theological_significance": "The main theological emphasis is not the term itself but the Lord’s granting David victory and establishing his kingdom. The passage contributes to the broader biblical theme of God defending his covenant people and advancing the Davidic line.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "This is a case where wording, context, and parallel passages must be weighed together. Scripture does not always resolve every textual detail with precision, so interpretation should remain careful and proportionate to the evidence.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Do not overstate certainty about the etymology or exact referent. The phrase is obscure, so definitions should be presented as likely rather than absolute. The central meaning of the passage lies in David’s victory, not in the disputed term.",
  "major_views_note": "Common proposals include (1) a place-name, (2) a figurative phrase meaning something like \"bridle of the mother city,\" or (3) a reference to Gath or its domination. The parallel passage in Chronicles strongly favors a connection with Gath.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "This entry should not be used to build doctrine. It is a textual and geographical detail within a historical narrative.",
  "practical_significance": "The entry illustrates the value of comparing Scripture with Scripture and of being cautious where the biblical text is difficult. It also reinforces the theme that God gives victory and establishes rulers according to his purposes.",
  "meta_description": "Metheg-ammah is an obscure expression in 2 Samuel 8:1, probably referring to Gath or Philistine control, clarified by 1 Chronicles 18:1.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/metheg-ammah/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/metheg-ammah.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}