Geographical Location:
Medeba is an ancient city located in the region of Moab, east of the Jordan River. It is situated on a plateau approximately 20 miles south of Heshbon and 12 miles east of the Dead Sea. The modern site of Medeba is known as Madaba, in present-day Jordan.

Biblical References:
Medeba is mentioned several times in the Old Testament, primarily in the context of territorial boundaries and military campaigns. In the Book of Numbers, Medeba is part of the land that the Israelites encountered during their wilderness journey. Numbers 21:30 states, "But we have overthrown them; Heshbon is destroyed as far as Dibon; we have demolished them as far as Nophah, which reaches to Medeba."

In Joshua 13:9, Medeba is listed as part of the territory assigned to the tribe of Reuben: "Their territory was from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the middle of the valley, the whole plateau of Medeba." This indicates that Medeba was part of the land conquered by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership.

The city is also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 19:7, during the account of King David's battles with the Ammonites and their allies: "So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, as well as the king of Maacah with his troops, who came and camped near Medeba, while the Ammonites gathered from their cities and came for battle."

Historical and Archaeological Significance:
Medeba holds significant historical and archaeological importance. The city was a major settlement in the region of Moab and played a crucial role in the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East. The Medeba Map, a Byzantine-era mosaic map discovered in the floor of a church in Madaba, provides valuable insights into the geography of the Holy Land during the 6th century AD. This map is one of the oldest cartographic depictions of the region and includes detailed representations of Jerusalem and other biblical sites.

Cultural and Religious Context:
As a city within the territory of Moab, Medeba was influenced by the Moabite culture and religion. The Moabites were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew, and often had contentious relations with the Israelites. Despite this, the Israelites' conquest of Medeba and its inclusion in the tribal allotments reflect the fulfillment of God's promises to the descendants of Abraham regarding the land.

Theological Implications:
Medeba's inclusion in the biblical narrative underscores the themes of divine promise and fulfillment. The city's mention in the context of Israel's territorial expansion highlights God's faithfulness in delivering the land to His chosen people. Additionally, the military engagements involving Medeba illustrate the ongoing struggle between the Israelites and surrounding nations, a recurring theme in the Old Testament that emphasizes reliance on God's guidance and strength in overcoming adversaries.

Modern Relevance:
Today, the site of ancient Medeba, known as Madaba, continues to be a place of interest for archaeologists, historians, and pilgrims. The Medeba Map remains a significant artifact for understanding the historical geography of the biblical world, and the city's rich history offers insights into the cultural and religious dynamics of the ancient Near East.Medeba

waters of grief; waters springing up

Medeba

(water of rest), a town on the eastern side of Jordan, first alluded to in (Numbers 21:30) Here it seems to denote the limit of the territory of Heshbon. It next occurs in the enumeration of the country divided among the transjordanic tribes, (Joshua 13:9) as giving its name to a district of level downs called "the Mishor of Medeba" or "the Mishor on Medeba." At the time of the conquest Medeba belonged to the Amorites, apparently one of the towns taken from Moab by them. In the time of Ahaz Medeba was a sanctuary of Moab. (Isaiah 15:2) It has retained its name down, our own times, and lies four miles southeast of Heshbon, on it rounded but rocky hill.

Medeba

A town east of the Jordan in the tribe of Reuben, Joshua 13:9,16. Near it the army of David gained a great victory, 1 Chronicles 19:7. Long afterwards, it fell again into the hands of the Moabites its ancient masters, Numbers 21:30; Isaiah 15:2. Its ruins, on rising ground a few miles southeast of Heshbon, still retain the old name.

Waters of quiet, an ancient Moabite town (Numbers 21:30). It was assigned to the tribe of Reuben (Joshua 13:16). Here was fought the great battle in which Joab defeated the Ammonites and their allies (1 Chronicles 19:7-15; Comp. 2 Samuel 10:6-14). In the time of Isaiah (15:2) the Moabites regained possession of it from the Ammonites. (see HANUN.)

The ruins of this important city, now Madeba or Madiyabah, are seen about 8 miles south-west of Heshbon, and 14 east of the Dead Sea. Among these are the ruins of what must have been a large temple, and of three cisterns of considerable extent, which are now dry. These cisterns may have originated the name Medeba, "waters of quiet." (see OMRI.)

MEDEBA

med'-e-ba (medhebha'; Maidaba, Medaba): The name may mean "gently flowing water," but the sense is doubtful. This city is first mentioned along with Heshbon and Dibon in an account of Israel's conquests (Numbers 21:30). It lay in the Mishor, the high pastoral land of Moab. The district in which the city stood is called the Mishor or plain of Medeba in the description of the territory assigned to Reuben (Joshua 13:9), or the plain by Medeba (Joshua 13:16). Here the Ammonites and their Syrian allies put the battle in array against Joab, and were signally defeated (1 Chronicles 19:7). This must have left the place definitely in the possession of Israel. But it must have changed hands several times. It was taken by Omri, evidently from Moab; and Mesha claims to have recovered possession of it (M S, ll. 7, 8, 29, 30). It would naturally fall to Israel under Jeroboam II; but in Isaiah 15:2 it is referred to as a city of Moab. It also figures in later Jewish history. John, son of Mattathias, was captured and put to death by the Jambri, a robber tribe from Medeba. This outrage was amply avenged by Jonathan and Simon, who ambushed a marriage party of the Jambri as they were bringing a noble bride from Gabbatha, slew them all and took their ornaments (1 Maccabees 9:36;; Ant, XII, i, 2, 4). Medeba was captured by Hyrcanus "not without the greatest distress of his army" (Ant., XIII, ix, 1). It was taken by Janneus from the Nabateans. Hyrcanus promised to restore it with other cities so taken to Aretas in return for help to secure him on the Judean throne (ibid., xv, 4; XIV, i, 4). Ptolemy speaks of it as a town in Arabia Petrea, between Bostra and Petra. Eusebius and Jerome knew it under its ancient name (Onomasticon, under the word). It became the seat of a bishropric, and is mentioned in the Acts of the Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.), and in other ecclesiastical lists.

The ancient city is represented by the modern Madeba, a ruined site with an Arab village, crowning a low hill, some 6 miles South of Heshbon, with which it was connected by a Roman road. The ruins, which are considerable, date mainly from Christian times. The surrounding walls can be traced in practically their whole circuit. There is a large tank, now dry, measuring 108 yds. X 103 yds., and about 12 ft. in depth. In 1880 it was colonized by some Christian families from Kerak, among whom the Latins carry on mission work. In December, 1896, a most interesting mosaic was found. It proved to be a map of part of Palestine and Lower Egypt of the time of Justinian. Unfortunately it is much damaged. An account of it will be found in Palestine Exploration Fund Statement, 1897, 213;, 239; 1898, 85, 177;, 251.

W. Ewing

4311. Medeba -- a city in Moab
... 4310, 4311. Medeba. 4312 . a city in Moab. Transliteration: Medeba Phonetic
Spelling: (may-deb-aw') Short Definition: Medeba. Word ...
/hebrew/4311.htm - 6k

'More than Conquerors through Him'
... retrograde. From I Chronicles e learn that the Ammonites had begun the campaign
by besieging Medeba, a trans-Jordanic Israelitish city. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/more than conquerors through him.htm

Appendices
... Omri took the land of. 8. Medeba (Numbers 21:30), and [Israel] dwelt in it during
his days and half the days of his son, altogether forty years. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

The Old Testament and Archeology
... For example, in lines 7-9 of the Moabite Stone we read, according to the common
translation, "Now Omri annexed all the land of Medeba, and Israel occupied it ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... Jeroboam made a furious onslaught upon its cities"Ar of Moab, Kir of Moab, Dibon,
Medeba, Heshbon, Elealeh"and destroyed them all in succession. ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem
The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. <. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiii the journey of the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Medeba (5 Occurrences)
... These cisterns may have originated the name Medeba, "waters of quiet."
(see OMRI.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MEDEBA. ...
/m/medeba.htm - 12k

Med'eba (4 Occurrences)
Med'eba. Medeba, Med'eba. Medes . Multi-Version Concordance Med'eba
(4 Occurrences). Numbers 21:30 We have shot at them--Heshbon ...
/m/med'eba.htm - 7k

Dibon (12 Occurrences)
... We have laid waste even to Nophah, Which reaches to Medeba." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE
DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ... Moab wails over Nebo and over Medeba. ...
/d/dibon.htm - 12k

Gorge (19 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:9 from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the
city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the plain of Medeba to Dibon ...
/g/gorge.htm - 12k

Tableland (8 Occurrences)
... 13:9 from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of Arnon, and the city that is
in the middle of the valley, and all the table-land from Medeba unto Dibon ...
/t/tableland.htm - 8k

Table-land (8 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:9 from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the
city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon ...
/t/table-land.htm - 9k

Ravine (26 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:9 from Aroer, which is on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that
is in the midst of the ravine, and all the plateau of Medeba to Dibon, (DBY). ...
/r/ravine.htm - 14k

Rim (18 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:9 from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the
city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the plain of Medeba to Dibon ...
/r/rim.htm - 11k

Moabites (26 Occurrences)
... Jazer, Nimrah, Nebo (Numbers 32:3); Beth-peor (Deuteronomy 3:29); Beth-diblaim,
Bozrah, Kerioth (Jeremiah 48:22-24); Kir (Isaiah 15:1); Medeba, Elealeh, Zoar ...
/m/moabites.htm - 28k

Plateau (13 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:9 from Aroer, which is on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that
is in the midst of the ravine, and all the plateau of Medeba to Dibon, (DBY ...
/p/plateau.htm - 10k

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