Interesting Facts

• Makamaron was a king of Canaan.
• He resided in the land of Assyria.
• He engaged in battle with the king of Egypt in a valley and slew him.
• Following his victory, he pursued the Egyptians as far as the gates of ‘Ermon.
• His advance was halted because a new, stronger king had risen in Egypt, causing Makamaron to retreat to Canaan and the closure of Egypt’s gates.

Genealogy

• The provided sources do not offer any information regarding Makamaron’s ancestry, birth, marital connections, or offspring.

Historical Context

The narrative concerning Makamaron places him in a period where a king of Canaan resided in Assyria, suggesting a potential historical dynamic of Canaanite influence or displacement in that region. His conflict with Egypt indicates a period of instability and warfare between these powers. The fact that he successfully killed the Egyptian king highlights a moment of significant Canaanite military strength against Egypt. However, the subsequent rise of a new, more powerful Egyptian king and the closure of Egypt’s borders suggest a swift shift in power dynamics, limiting the extent of Makamaron’s victory and influence. This episode likely occurred sometime after Joseph’s death, as the text implies a change in Egyptian leadership and security measures regarding their borders with Canaan.

Narrative

Makamaron’s story, as presented in the sources, is centered around a specific military campaign against Egypt. While residing in Assyria, Makamaron, the king of Canaan, launched an attack on Egypt, engaging the Egyptian king in battle within a valley. He was victorious, personally slaying the Pharaoh and then pursuing the fleeing Egyptian forces to the very gates of ‘Ermon. This demonstrates Makamaron’s military prowess and ambition. However, his success was short-lived. The emergence of a new and more formidable king in Egypt prevented Makamaron from entering the city, forcing his retreat back to Canaan. The subsequent closure of Egypt’s gates signifies the end of this particular conflict and suggests a consolidation of Egyptian power. This brief narrative portrays Makamaron as a powerful Canaanite ruler capable of inflicting a significant defeat on Egypt, yet ultimately unable to capitalize fully on his victory due to the resilience and internal dynamics of the Egyptian kingdom.