Lexical Summary Ar: Ar Original Word: עָר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ar, a place in MoabThe same as iyr; a city; Ar, a place in Moab -- Ar. see HEBREW iyr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a place in Moab NASB Translation Ar (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. עָר proper name, of a location in Moab, south of Arnon (Ηρ Numbers 21:15, elsewhere chiefly Αροηρ); — ׳ע Numbers 21:15; Deuteronomy 2:9,18,29; עָר מוֺאָד Numbers 21:28; Isaiah 15:1; — usually interpreted as capital city (עָר = עִיר) of Moab (DHMZMG xxxvii (1883), 398 compare Sabean ער fortified height, compare MordtmHim. Inschr. 29 HalÉt. Sab. 159 so Arabic  , dialect of Yemen); BuhlGeogr.269 f. thinks name of district South of Arnon. Topical Lexicon Geographical Location Ar, often rendered “Ar of Moab,” lay on the southern bank of the Arnon Gorge, the natural frontier between Moab and the Amorite holdings to the north (Numbers 21:13). Its position along the trade route linking the King’s Highway with the plateau roads gave the city strategic importance and explains why it became a coveted stronghold for rival kingdoms. Biblical Context and Narrative Significance 1. Boundaries Established by God Deuteronomy 2:9 records the divine instruction to Israel: “Do not harass Moab or provoke them to war, for I will not give you any of their land, because I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as their possession”. Ar thus serves as a touchstone for God-given national allotments, underscoring the Lord’s sovereign control of borders and His faithfulness to covenant promises—here, His earlier word to Lot (Genesis 19:37). Numbers 21:27-30 preserves an Amorite victory poem that exults, “Fire went out from Heshbon… it consumed Ar of Moab”. The citation shows that Ar fell to King Sihon before Israel’s arrival. When Israel subsequently defeated Sihon, the city’s fate intertwined with Yahweh’s warfare on behalf of His people. Israel’s journey skirted Moabite territory at Ar (Deuteronomy 2:18, Deuteronomy 2:29). The site marked the moment when the desert wanderings neared completion and the generations born in the wilderness witnessed tangible approach to the Promised Land, reinforcing God’s sustaining grace across four decades. Historical Background Ar was Moab’s principal urban center until at least the eighth century B.C. Archaeological surveys have associated it with Khirbet ‘Ara or modern-day Ar-Rabba, though definitive identification remains debated. Control of Ar oscillated among Moabites, Amorites, and later Israelite vassals, mirroring the volatile geopolitics east of the Jordan. Prophetic Messaging and Theological Themes Isaiah 15:1 issues a devastating oracle: “Because Ar of Moab is laid waste in a night, Moab is destroyed”. The suddenness of Ar’s downfall dramatizes divine judgment against prideful nations that oppose or ignore the Lord. The prophecy also signals that no fortress, however entrenched, can shield a people from the moral governance of God. Connections to Redemptive History • Lot’s Legacy: By linking Ar to Lot’s descendants, Scripture roots Moab’s account in the broader narrative beginning with Abraham. God’s dealings with Ar confirm His orderly oversight of every branch of Abraham’s family tree. Practical Ministry Insights 1. Respect for Boundaries: Just as Israel honored God-set borders at Ar, believers today must recognize divinely ordained limits—whether relational, moral, or vocational—and refuse to grasp at what God has not granted. Archaeological and Scholarly Notes Ancient Near Eastern texts, including the Mesha Stele, refer to Moabite strongholds along the Arnon, corroborating the biblical witness of Ar’s prominence. While no excavation has incontrovertibly uncovered Ar, survey data near the Wadi Mujib (Arnon) support a sizable Iron Age occupation appropriate to the biblical record. Key References Numbers 21:15; Numbers 21:28; Deuteronomy 2:9; Deuteronomy 2:18; Deuteronomy 2:29; Isaiah 15:1 Forms and Transliterations בְּעָ֑ר בער עָ֑ר עָ֖ר עָ֣ר עָ֤ר עָֽר׃ ער ער׃ ‘ār Ar bə‘ār bə·‘ār beArLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 21:15 HEB: נָטָ֖ה לְשֶׁ֣בֶת עָ֑ר וְנִשְׁעַ֖ן לִגְב֥וּל NAS: to the site of Ar, And leans KJV: to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth INT: extends to the dwelling of Ar and leans to the border Numbers 21:28 Deuteronomy 2:9 Deuteronomy 2:18 Deuteronomy 2:29 Isaiah 15:1 6 Occurrences |
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