Lexical Summary Abarim: Abarim Original Word: עֲבָרִים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Abarim, passages Plural of eber; regions beyond; Abarim, a place in Palestine -- Abarim, passages. see HEBREW eber NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom abar Definition "regions beyond," a mountainous region N. of the Dead Sea NASB Translation Abarim (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֲבָרִים proper name, of a location 'Abarîm (properly regions beyond river or sea); — usually ׳הַר הָע Numbers 27:12; Deuteronomy 32:49 ( = הַלנְֿבוֺ; both P), and ׳הָרֵי הָע Deuteronomy 33:47 (לִפְנֵי נְבוֺ), Deuteronomy 33:48 (P); alone only צַעֲקִי מֵעֲבָרִים Jeremiah 22:20; the mountainous district in northwest Moab, just northeast of Dead Sea, GASmGeogr. 548 and EBi BuhlGeogr. 122; ᵐ5 Αβαρειμ(#NAME?), but τὸ ἐν τῷ πέραν Numbers 33:47, εἰς τὸ πέραν τῆς θαλάσσης Jeremiah 22:20. — See also below עִיִּים. Topical Lexicon Abarim, Mountains ofGeographic Setting The Abarim is a rugged highland ridge east of the Jordan River, stretching roughly from the Arnon Gorge in the south to the Yarmuk in the north. Its western slopes overlook the Plains of Moab and the lower Jordan Valley, providing sweeping views of Canaan. Within the range lie well-known summits such as Mount Nebo and Pisgah, whose prominence makes Abarim both a physical boundary and a strategic vantage point in Scripture. Role in Israel’s Wilderness Itinerary The itinerary list of Numbers 33 twice notes Israel camping “in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo” (Numbers 33:47) and then departing “from the mountains of Abarim and camped on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho” (Numbers 33:48). These references chronicle the nation’s final staging ground before crossing into the Promised Land. The terrain offered shelter, elevation for observation, and proximity to the Jordan crossing point later used under Joshua’s leadership. Moses’ Farewell View and Transition of Leadership “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Go up this mountain of the Abarim range and see the land that I have given to the Israelites’” (Numbers 27:12). Abarim thus becomes the setting for Moses’ last act of earthly ministry. From its heights he surveys the inheritance promised to Abraham while also receiving confirmation that Joshua will succeed him. Deuteronomy 32:49 specifies Mount Nebo within the range as the precise summit. The scene underscores both the certainty of God’s promise and the continuity of godly leadership: the work is the Lord’s, though servants pass from the stage. Mount Nebo and Pisgah Within Abarim, Mount Nebo commands special notice: Prophetic Echo in Jeremiah Jeremiah’s indictment of Judah’s unfaithfulness employs Abarim as a northern outpost for lament: “Go up to Lebanon and cry out, and raise your voice in Bashan; cry out from Abarim, for all your lovers have been crushed” (Jeremiah 22:20). Here the ridge, linked with Lebanon and Bashan, symbolizes an elevated pulpit from which judgment is proclaimed. Its height contrasts with Judah’s now-low estate, warning that no vantage point can shield from divine accountability. Theological and Ministry Themes 1. Vision and Responsibility: Abarim provides sight of promise yet demands submission to God’s timing. Leaders may glimpse outcomes they will not personally enter, teaching stewardship without possessiveness. Practical Application • Pastors and teachers can draw on the imagery of Abarim to encourage believers to cultivate spiritual altitude through prayer and Scripture, enabling clearer sight of God’s purposes. Summary The mountains of Abarim mark pivotal moments of revelation, leadership transfer, and prophetic proclamation. They remind every generation that lofty vision is granted not for personal grandeur but for faithful service to the promises and purposes of God. Forms and Transliterations הָעֲבָרִ֑ים הָעֲבָרִ֖ים הָעֲבָרִ֨ים העברים מֵֽעֲבָרִ֔ים מעברים hā‘ăḇārîm hā·‘ă·ḇā·rîm haavaRim mê‘ăḇārîm mê·‘ă·ḇā·rîm meavaRimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 27:12 HEB: אֶל־ הַ֥ר הָעֲבָרִ֖ים הַזֶּ֑ה וּרְאֵה֙ NAS: mountain of Abarim, and see KJV: into this mount Abarim, and see INT: about mountain of Abarim to this and see Numbers 33:47 Numbers 33:48 Deuteronomy 32:49 Jeremiah 22:20 5 Occurrences |
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