Topical Encyclopedia The Moabites were an ancient people who inhabited the region of Moab, located east of the Dead Sea in present-day Jordan. They are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament and played a significant role in the history of Israel. The Moabites were descendants of Moab, the son of Lot by his elder daughter, as recorded in Genesis 19:37: "The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab; he is the father of the Moabites of today" .Geography and Territory The land of Moab was characterized by its rugged terrain and fertile plains, making it suitable for agriculture and livestock. The territory extended from the Arnon River in the north to the Zered River in the south. The capital city of Moab was Dibon, and other significant cities included Ar and Kir. Relations with Israel The relationship between the Moabites and the Israelites was complex and often hostile. During the Exodus, the Israelites sought passage through Moab but were denied by King Balak, who instead hired Balaam to curse them (Numbers 22-24). Despite Balak's intentions, God turned Balaam's curses into blessings for Israel. The Moabites were also involved in leading Israel into idolatry and immorality at Baal Peor, as described in Numbers 25:1-3: "While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down to these gods" . This incident resulted in a severe plague among the Israelites. Military Conflicts Throughout the period of the Judges and the monarchy, the Moabites were frequently at odds with Israel. Eglon, the king of Moab, oppressed Israel for eighteen years until he was assassinated by Ehud, a judge of Israel (Judges 3:12-30). During the reign of King Saul, the Moabites were subdued, and David later established a friendly relationship with them, entrusting his parents to their care during his flight from Saul (1 Samuel 22:3-4). However, hostilities resumed under subsequent kings. King Mesha of Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab, leading to a coalition of Israel, Judah, and Edom against Moab, as recorded in 2 Kings 3. The Moabite Stone, an archaeological artifact, provides an extrabiblical account of Mesha's rebellion and his victories over Israel. Religious Practices The Moabites were polytheistic, with their chief deity being Chemosh. Human sacrifices were part of their religious practices, as evidenced by King Mesha's offering of his own son during a battle against Israel (2 Kings 3:27). The worship of Chemosh and other deities often involved rituals that were abhorrent to the Israelites. Cultural and Historical Legacy Despite their frequent enmity with Israel, the Moabites are also noted for their connection to the Davidic line through Ruth, a Moabite woman who became the great-grandmother of King David. The Book of Ruth highlights her loyalty and faith, demonstrating that God's grace extends beyond ethnic boundaries. The Moabites eventually faded from prominence, and their territory was absorbed by surrounding nations. However, their interactions with Israel and their mention in biblical prophecy, such as in Isaiah 15-16 and Jeremiah 48, underscore their historical significance in the biblical narrative. Concordance Mo'abites (1 Occurrence)1 Chronicles 18:2 Thesaurus Mo'abites (1 Occurrence)Mo'abites. Moabites, Mo'abites. Moabitess . Multi-Version Concordance Mo'abites (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 18:2 He struck Moab ... /m/mo'abites.htm - 6k Moabitess (7 Occurrences) Moabites (26 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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