Jordan

Moab

Meaning
The name Moab traces back to its origin in Genesis 19:37: a son born from the union of Lot and his older daughter after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, a name that sounds in Hebrew like the expression for "from the father." Despite this shameful origin, the Moabite people built an important kingdom east of the Dead Sea, and appear repeatedly in the history of Israel, sometimes as an enemy, sometimes linked to the very line of David through Ruth.
About the place

Moab was a kingdom situated on the plateau east of the Dead Sea, between the Arnon and Zered rivers. Its people descended from Moab, a son born from the union of Lot and his older daughter after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Despite this origin marked by shame, the territory of Moab appeared many times in biblical history, almost always at decisive moments for the people of God.

It was on the plains of Moab that Israel camped before crossing the Jordan toward Canaan. There King Balak tried to hire the prophet Balaam to curse the people of God, and there Moses climbed Mount Nebo to view the promised land before he died.

Centuries later, a family from Bethlehem sought refuge from famine in Moab. A young Moabite woman named Ruth joined the people of God by faith and became the great-grandmother of King David, and thus an ancestor of Jesus.

The story of Moab shows that God can transform even an origin stained by sin, including foreigners within his plan of salvation when they respond with faith.

Key verses

Then the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab and camped along the Jordan across from Jericho.

Numbers 22:1

And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said. He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is.

Deuteronomy 34:5-6

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.

Ruth 1:1

What happened here

Balak hires Balaam to curse Israel

While Israel camped on the plains of Moab, King Balak summoned the seer Balaam to curse God's people. Every attempt turned into a blessing.

Numbers 22-24

Idolatry and immorality at Baal Peor

Camped at Shittim in Moabite territory, the people of Israel became involved in sexual immorality and worship of Baal Peor with Moabite women, provoking God's severe judgment.

Numbers 25:1-9

Moses' death on Mount Nebo

From Mount Nebo in the land of Moab, Moses looked out over the promised land before dying without entering it. He was buried there, in a place no one has ever found.

Deuteronomy 34:1-8

Elimelek's family seeks refuge in Moab

Fleeing a famine in Bethlehem, Elimelek, Naomi and their two sons settled in Moab. The sons married Moabite women, including Ruth, but the husband and sons died there.

Ruth 1:1-5

David entrusts his parents to the king of Moab

Fleeing King Saul, David took his father and mother to Mizpah in Moab and asked the local king to protect them while the danger lasted.

1 Samuel 22:3-4

The siege of a Moabite city and King Mesha's desperation

Israel, Judah and Edom marched against Moab after King Mesha rebelled. Besieged in a Moabite city, Mesha offered his own son as a burnt sacrifice on the wall in a desperate act.

2 Kings 3:4-27
Timeline
around 1400 BC

Israel camps on the plains of Moab; Balak hires Balaam to curse them

around 1400 BC

The people fall into idolatry and immorality at Baal Peor in Moabite territory

around 1400 BC

Moses dies on Mount Nebo and is buried in the land of Moab

period of the judges

A family from Bethlehem lives in Moab during a famine; Ruth the Moabite joins God's people

around 1010 BC

David entrusts his parents to the king of Moab while fleeing Saul

around 850 BC

Israel, Judah and Edom attack Moab after King Mesha's rebellion

8th-6th centuries BC

Isaiah and Jeremiah announce God's judgment against Moab

People linked to this place
R

Ruth

Was a Moabite and great-grandmother of David and Jesus

N

Naomi

Lived in Moab during the famine

B

Balaam

Was summoned to Moab to curse Israel

B

Balak

Was king of Moab and summoned Balaam

M

Moses

Died and was buried in Moab

E

Eglon

Was king of Moab and ruled over Israel

M

Mesha

Was king of Moab and rebelled against Israel

D

David

Entrusted his parents to the king

Books where it appears

Numbers

Israel camps on the plains of Moab; Balaam and Balak

Deuteronomy

Moses dies and is buried in the land of Moab

Ruth

a family from Bethlehem takes refuge in Moab

2 Kings

war against King Mesha of Moab

Isaiah

oracle of judgment against Moab

Jeremiah

oracle of judgment against Moab

The place today
The place today

The territory of ancient Moab lies in modern Jordan, on the plateau east of the Dead Sea, between Wadi Mujib and Wadi Hasa, corresponding to the biblical Arnon and Zered rivers.

King Mesha's capital, Dibon, is identified with modern Dhiban, where the Moabite Stele was found in 1868. The city of Kir in Moab corresponds to modern Karak, now known for its Crusader castle.

Modern Jordan is predominantly Muslim, with few Christians. Pray that, like Ruth so many centuries ago, more people today may find refuge through faith in God.

Pray for this nation today: Jordânia

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