What is…
Tekoa
also known as: T’koa, tekoah, Teqoa
Hebrew: תְּקוֹעַ —meaning: a stockade, or pitching of tents, or fastening down
This is the name of a town of ancient Judah, about 12 miles south of Jerusalem, and visible from the city. Bethlehem is 5 miles north of the town.
It was famous for its oil production.
People
The people of this place are called Tekoites, Teko’ites or Tekoim.
Nehemiah 3:5 mentions Tekoites who repaired some of Jerusalem’s walls, “but their leaders [or nobles] refused to work with the construction supervisors.”
Tekoa was the birthplace of the prophet Amos (1:1).
Wise woman of Tekoa
From this place Joab procured a “wise woman,” who pretended to be in great affliction, and skilfully made her case known to David. Her address to the king was in the form of an apologue (allegorical narrative meant to convery a moral), similar to that of the prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1-6).
Joab’s purpose was, by the intervention of this woman, to induce David to bring back Absalom to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 14:2; 14:4; 14:9).
Archaeology
Tekoa is now the village of Tuqu' (Tekû'a or Teku'a), 5 miles south of Bethlehem, and close to Beth-haccerem (“Herod’s mountain,” on which was the Herodium/Herodion—the palace of Herod the Great).
Nearby is the modern Israeli settlement of Tekoa, Gush Etzion.
More information
- What is the Tribe of Judah?
- What is the Kingdom of Judah (Judea)?
- Who is Amos?
- What are the CITIES of the Bible? Names, descriptions, locations and types