from מַעֲלֶה and (the plural of) עַקְרָב; Steep of Scorpions, a place in the Desert; Maaleh-accrabim, the ascent (going up) of Akrabbim.
Transliteration:Maʻălêh ʻAqrabbîym
Pronunciation:mah-al-ay' ak-rabbeem'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים (Maʻălêh ʻAqrabbîym), Strong's H4610, is a compound geographical place name. It is derived from two distinct elements: מַעֲלֶה (maʻălêh), meaning "ascent" or "going up," and עַקְרַבִּים (ʻaqrabbîm), the plural form of עַקְרָב (ʻaqrāb), meaning "scorpion." Thus, the literal translation is "Ascent of Scorpions" or "Scorpion Ascent." This name vividly describes a challenging, steep pass or mountain ridge, likely characterized by a harsh, arid environment where scorpions were prevalent. It denotes a specific, identifiable landmark within the wilderness regions bordering the Promised Land, serving as a natural boundary marker due to its distinctive and perhaps formidable nature.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים appears three times in the Hebrew Bible, consistently functioning as a crucial geographical marker for the southern boundary of the land of Canaan, particularly for the tribal inheritance of Judah.
1. **[[Numbers 34:4]]**: This passage outlines the divinely ordained boundaries of the land Israel was to inherit. The Ascent of Akrabbim is specified as part of the southern border: "Your southern border shall therefore extend from the wilderness of Zin along the side of Edom, and your southern border shall begin from the end of the Salt Sea eastward. Then your border shall turn south of the Ascent of Akrabbim and continue to Zin, and its termination shall be south of Kadesh-barnea; and it shall go on to Hazar-addar and pass on to Azmon." Here, it marks a significant turning point in the southern frontier, indicating the extreme southeastern reach of the promised territory.
2. **[[Joshua 15:3]]**: In the description of the inheritance allotted to the tribe of Judah, the Ascent of Akrabbim again delineates the southern border: "Then it went out to the south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, and passed on to Zin, and went up by the south of Kadesh-barnea, and passed on to Hezron, and went up to Addar, and turned about to Karka." This reiterates its role as a fixed and recognizable landmark, establishing the precise limits of Judah's land, a testament to the meticulous detail of God's provision.
3. **[[Judges 1:36]]**: This verse describes the territory of the Amorites, who initially resisted Israelite conquest: "And the territory of the Amorites was from the Ascent of Akrabbim, from Sela and upward." This indicates that the Ascent of Akrabbim was a well-known geographical feature, marking the extent of Amorite control in the south. Its mention here underscores its strategic importance as a frontier point, defining zones of influence and conflict.
Across these occurrences, Maʻălêh ʻAqrabbîym is consistently presented as a significant, albeit challenging, geographical feature that serves as a vital boundary marker in the southern desert regions, defining the extent of Israel's promised land and tribal inheritances.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים is enriched by examining its constituent parts and associated biblical concepts:
* **מַעֲלֶה (maʻălêh)** `{{H4608}}`: This root word, meaning "ascent" or "going up," appears in other significant biblical place names, such as "the ascent of Luhith" ([[Isaiah 15:5]]) or "the ascent of Ziz" ([[2 Chronicles 20:16]]). It signifies a natural elevation or a path leading upwards, often implying a challenging journey. Its presence in מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים highlights the topographical difficulty of this specific location.
* **עַקְרָב (ʻaqrāb)** `{{H6137}}`: The word for "scorpion." Scorpions are frequently associated with the arid, dangerous wilderness. In [[Deuteronomy 8:15]], the wilderness is described as a "great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water." This imbues מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים with a sense of peril and the harsh realities of the desert environment through which Israel passed.
* **גְּבוּל (gĕbûl)** `{{H1366}}`: Meaning "boundary" or "border." This term is intrinsically linked to מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים in its biblical occurrences, as the ascent consistently serves to define the limits of the promised land and tribal territories. The meticulous delineation of boundaries reflects God's precise fulfillment of His covenant promises.
* **מִדְבָּר (midbār)** `{{H4057}}`: "Wilderness" or "desert." The Ascent of Akrabbim is situated in the wilderness of Zin, a region emblematic of Israel's forty years of wandering and testing. This connection underscores the challenging environment that shaped Israel's formative years.
* **Land Inheritance and Divine Promise**: The consistent mention of מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים in the context of land allocation (Numbers, Joshua) powerfully connects it to the overarching theme of God's faithfulness in granting the Promised Land to His people, a central tenet of the Pentateuch and historical books.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים extends beyond its literal geographical definition, touching upon themes of divine sovereignty, covenant fidelity, and the nature of God's provision.
1. **Divine Precision in Promise Fulfillment**: The meticulous detail with which the boundaries of the land are described, including a specific and challenging feature like the "Ascent of Scorpions," underscores God's absolute precision and faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants. The land was not a vague concept but a precisely defined territory, down to its most formidable natural markers. This speaks to God's comprehensive plan and His commitment to His word.
2. **The Wilderness as a Place of Testing and Protection**: The name itself, evoking scorpions and a difficult ascent, serves as a subtle reminder of the harsh wilderness environment through which Israel journeyed. While a geographical marker, it implicitly points to the dangers and hardships that God supernaturally protected His people from ([[Deuteronomy 8:15]]). It symbolizes the "edges" of God's provision, where human vulnerability met divine strength.
3. **The Extent of God's Gift**: By marking the southernmost extent of the inherited land, מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים defines the full scope of God's generous gift to His people. Even a difficult, scorpion-infested ascent was part of the divinely ordained inheritance, signifying that God's blessing encompasses all aspects of life, including the challenging frontiers. It represents the boundary of God's dominion and the extent of the land He consecrated for His people.
4. **A Testament to Conquest and Possession**: Its mention in Judges 1:36, defining Amorite territory, subtly highlights the ongoing struggle for possession of the promised land. Even at the "Ascent of Scorpions," the land was to be conquered and held, reminding Israel of their active role in claiming God's inheritance through obedience and faith.
### Summary
מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים (Maʻălêh ʻAqrabbîym), the "Ascent of Scorpions," is a significant geographical landmark in the biblical narrative, serving primarily as a precise boundary marker for the southern border of the Promised Land, particularly for the tribe of Judah. Its name vividly conveys a challenging, arid ascent likely infested with scorpions, reflecting the harsh realities of the wilderness environment. Biblically, it consistently appears in contexts defining the meticulous scope of Israel's inheritance. Theologically, מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים underscores God's absolute faithfulness and precision in fulfilling His covenant promises, His protective care amidst the dangers of the wilderness, and the comprehensive nature of the land He bestowed upon His people. It stands as a testament to the detailed and unwavering divine plan for Israel's possession of their sacred inheritance.
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