apparently from an unused root meaning to hem in; Akko (from its situation on a bay); Accho.
Transliteration:ʻAkkôw
Pronunciation:ak-ko'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma עַכּוֹ (ʻAkkôw), Strong's H5910, functions exclusively as a proper noun, referring to the ancient city of Accho. Its etymology is traced to an apparently unused root, which is understood to convey the meaning "to hem in" or "enclosed." This etymological suggestion aligns well with the geographical reality of Accho, situated on a natural bay and potentially fortified, giving the impression of being "hemmed in" by land and sea, or by its defenses. As a specific geographical referent, עַכּוֹ does not possess a broad semantic range; its meaning is fixed to this particular city.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term עַכּוֹ (ʻAkkôw) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Judges: [[Judges 1:31]].
In this singular occurrence, Accho is listed among the cities whose inhabitants the tribe of Asher failed to drive out from their allotted territory. The verse states: "Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Sidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob." This passage is part of a larger section ([[Judges 1:21-36]]) that meticulously details the various tribes' failures to completely dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, as commanded by Yahweh. Accho's inclusion highlights its strategic importance, likely as a significant coastal city and port, and the formidable strength of its inhabitants, who successfully resisted Israelite subjugation. The failure to conquer Accho, alongside other cities, underscores a pivotal theme of the book of Judges: the partial obedience of Israel and the subsequent consequences of their compromise with the surrounding pagan cultures.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a geographical proper noun, עַכּוֹ is primarily related to other biblical place names, particularly those located in the northern coastal plain or within the tribal inheritance of Asher. These include Sidon, Tyre, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, and Rehob, all mentioned in [[Judges 1:31]] as unconquered cities. The concept of עַכּוֹ being unconquered links it to the broader theme of incomplete conquest found throughout [[Judges 1]], where other tribes also failed to fully dispossess the land's inhabitants (e.g., [[Judges 1:21]] concerning the Jebusites in Jerusalem, [[Judges 1:27]] regarding Manasseh, and [[Judges 1:29]] regarding Ephraim). While the root meaning "to hem in" is unused, it conceptually aligns with ideas of fortified cities, strategic locations, or places difficult to penetrate, which would have contributed to Accho's resilience against Israelite conquest.
### Theological Significance
The mention of Accho in [[Judges 1:31]] carries significant theological weight within the narrative of Israel's early history in the land. It serves as a concrete example of Israel's partial obedience and lack of faith in executing God's explicit command to utterly drive out the Canaanite inhabitants ([[Deuteronomy 7:1-5]]). This failure was not merely a military setback but a profound spiritual compromise. The continued presence of the inhabitants of Accho, along with other unconquered cities, meant that the Israelites remained exposed to foreign idolatry, moral corruption, and a persistent challenge to their covenant fidelity. Theologically, Accho represents a point of compromise that contributed directly to the cycles of apostasy, divine judgment, and subsequent cries for deliverance that define the period of the Judges. It underscores the critical importance of radical obedience to God's commands for the spiritual purity and well-being of the covenant community.
### Summary
עַכּוֹ (ʻAkkôw), Strong's H5910, is the Hebrew proper noun for the ancient city of Accho, likely deriving its name from a root meaning "to hem in," reflecting its geographical position on a bay. Its sole biblical appearance in [[Judges 1:31]] is profoundly significant, as it is listed among the cities whose inhabitants the tribe of Asher failed to drive out from their allotted territory. This failure is a crucial theological marker in the book of Judges, symbolizing Israel's incomplete obedience to God's command for the full conquest of Canaan. The continued presence of the Canaanite inhabitants in Accho and other cities led to spiritual compromise and eventual apostasy, illustrating the severe consequences of partial obedience and the vital necessity of unwavering fidelity to God's covenant for the purity and prosperity of His people.
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