Lexical Summary Vaheb: Vaheb Original Word: וָהֵב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance what he did Of uncertain derivation; Vaheb, a place in Moab -- what he did. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition perhaps a place in Moab NASB Translation Waheb (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs וָהֵב, apparently proper name, of a location, אֶתוָֿהֵב בְּסוּפָה Numbers 21:14, object of a verb now lost out of the text (compare RV & especially Di VB), situation unknown; ᵐ5 Ζωοβ, Ζοοβ; so LagBN 54 SayAcademy (London). Oct. 22, 1892 (זָהָב). Topical Lexicon VahebGeographical Setting Vaheb is mentioned together with Suphah near the Arnon Gorge on the eastern side of the Dead Sea. The context of Numbers 21 locates the name in the borderland between Moab and the Amorite territories. While the precise site cannot be identified with certainty today, its pairing with the ravines of the Arnon places it within a rugged canyon system that served as a natural boundary. Travelers approaching from the wilderness would have viewed the sheer limestone cliffs and winding wadis as a formidable obstacle, underscoring the need for divine provision in Israel’s advance toward the Promised Land. Biblical Context Numbers 21 records Israel’s final approach to the plains of Moab after nearly forty years of wilderness wanderings. Verses 10–20 trace a rapid north-easterly march, punctuated by several camp sites. In verse 14 Moses pauses to quote “the Book of the Wars of the LORD: ‘Vaheb in Suphah, and the ravines of the Arnon’ ”. The citation functions like an ancient footnote, confirming that Israel’s progress and God’s victories were already preserved in an earlier record. By invoking that source, the inspired text knits Israel’s living memory, Moses’ narration, and the ongoing acts of the LORD into one seamless testimony. Historical Background The “Book of the Wars of the LORD” appears to have been an early collection of victory odes, battle reports, and geographical notations celebrating YHWH’s mighty acts on behalf of His people. Much as Joshua 10:13 later cites “the Book of Jashar,” Moses’ quotation of Vaheb reveals an Israelite practice of commemorating covenant history in writing. The fact that only a single line about Vaheb survives in canonical Scripture highlights how Scripture selectively preserves what is necessary for faith and practice while refraining from exhaustive chronicle. Theological Significance 1. Divine Warfare. By embedding Vaheb within “the Wars of the LORD,” the text affirms that Israel’s military successes were God’s works, not human feats. The setting by the Arnon recalls Psalm 24:8, “Who is this King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle!” Ministry Application • Remembering God’s Past Victories. Just as Israel kept a written account of Vaheb, modern believers can strengthen faith by recording answered prayers and gospel advances. When present challenges resemble “ravines of the Arnon,” such testimonies stir confidence that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Related Themes • Lost Writings Acknowledged in Scripture (Joshua 10:13; 1 Kings 11:41; 2 Chronicles 9:29). Archaeological and Scholarly Notes Explorers have proposed locations for Vaheb ranging from Wadi eth-Thamein to sites near modern Wadi al-Wala, yet no consensus has emerged. The elusiveness of the site underscores the fragmentary nature of extra-biblical data and reinforces the sufficiency of the canonical narrative. Scholars also note the linguistic resemblance between Vaheb and the Hebrew root for “to give,” but the text’s primary focus remains historical, not etymological. Summary Though mentioned only once, Vaheb stands as a memorial of the LORD’s faithfulness in guiding Israel through perilous terrain and hostile borders. Its brief citation links the wilderness generation to a broader tapestry of divine victories, reminding every subsequent reader that the God who brought His people past the Arnon still leads His church from strength to strength. Forms and Transliterations וָהֵ֣ב והב vaHev wā·hêḇ wāhêḇLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 21:14 HEB: יְהוָ֑ה אֶת־ וָהֵ֣ב בְּסוּפָ֔ה וְאֶת־ NAS: of the LORD, Waheb in Suphah, KJV: of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, INT: of the Wars of the LORD Waheb Suphah and the wadis |
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