The term "Moabitish" refers to anything pertaining to the Moabites, a people descended from Moab, the son of Lot and his eldest daughter (Genesis 19:37). The Moabites settled in the region east of the Dead Sea, an area known as Moab. Throughout the Old Testament, the Moabites are frequently mentioned in relation to the Israelites, often as adversaries but also as relatives due to their shared ancestry through Lot, Abraham's nephew.

Historical Context

The Moabites were a Semitic people whose land was characterized by its fertile plains, making it suitable for agriculture and livestock. The relationship between Israel and Moab was complex, marked by periods of conflict and cooperation. The Moabites are first mentioned in the context of Israel's journey to the Promised Land, where Balak, the king of Moab, sought to curse the Israelites through the prophet Balaam (Numbers 22-24). Despite Balak's intentions, God turned the intended curse into a blessing for Israel.

Cultural and Religious Practices

The Moabites practiced a polytheistic religion, with Chemosh being their chief deity. This idolatry often led to conflict with the Israelites, who were commanded by God to worship Him alone. The Moabites' religious practices included rituals that were abominable to the Israelites, such as child sacrifice (2 Kings 3:27).

Notable Moabitish Figures

1. Ruth: One of the most significant Moabitish figures in the Bible is Ruth, a Moabite woman who became an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. The Book of Ruth details her loyalty to her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi, and her conversion to the worship of Yahweh. Ruth's declaration, "Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God" (Ruth 1:16), exemplifies her commitment to the God of Israel and her integration into the Israelite community.

2. Eglon: Another notable Moabite figure is Eglon, the king of Moab, who oppressed Israel for eighteen years during the time of the judges. His assassination by the judge Ehud is recorded in Judges 3:12-30, highlighting the ongoing enmity between the two nations.

Moab in Prophecy

The prophets of Israel often spoke against Moab, pronouncing judgments due to their pride and hostility towards Israel. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel all contain oracles against Moab, predicting its downfall and desolation (Isaiah 15-16; Jeremiah 48; Ezekiel 25:8-11). These prophecies underscore the theme of divine retribution against nations that opposed God's chosen people.

Moab's Legacy

Despite their frequent opposition to Israel, the Moabites' legacy is preserved in the biblical narrative through figures like Ruth, who demonstrate God's inclusive plan for redemption. The inclusion of a Moabitess in the lineage of David and Jesus signifies the breaking down of ethnic barriers and the extension of God's covenant blessings to all who turn to Him in faith.(a.) Moabite.1111. Balaq -- "devastator," a Moabite king
... Balak's (3). Balak. From balaq; waster; Balak, a Moabitish king -- Balak. see
HEBREW balaq. 1110, 1111. Balaq. 1112 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1111.htm - 6k

5700. Eglown -- a king of Moab, also a city in Isr.
... Eglon From egel; vituline; Eglon, the name of a place in Palestine and of a Moabitish
king -- Eglon. see HEBREW egel. 5699, 5700. Eglown. 5700a . ...
/hebrew/5700.htm - 5k

1187. Baal Peor -- "Baal of Peor," a Moabite god
... Baal-peor. From Ba'al and p'owr; Baal of Peor; Baal-Peor, a Moabitish deity --
Baal-peor. see HEBREW Ba'al. see HEBREW p'owr. 1186, 1187. Baal Peor. 1188 . ...
/hebrew/1187.htm - 6k

Boaz and Ruth.
... The servant replied, "It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of
the country of Moab." Then Boaz spoke kindly to Ruth, telling her not to go ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/boaz and ruth.htm

Ruth.
... reapers,. "What maiden is this?" and he told him that she was the Moabitish
girl who had come back with her mother-in-law Naomi. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xvi ruth.htm

Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's ...
... in itself an atoning virtue. So it seems to have been viewed by this Moabitish
prince. Another mistake respecting sacrifices, which ...
/.../sermon xviii balaks inquiries relative.htm

Matt. xxii. 15
... Thus, at any rate, Ruth, that Moabitish woman, was thrust off to him that was further
off from her kindred; and Tamar too was thus compelled to obtain, by ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxx matt xxii 15.htm

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
... That this explanation of the Dual is correct, is proved from the circumstance, that
it occurs also as the name of a Moabitish town, Beth-Dibhlathaim, Jeremiah ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the section chap i -iii.htm

Letter Liv. To Furia.
... her husband and her children died abroad, carried her chastity back home and, being
supported on the road by its aid, kept with her her Moabitish daughter-in ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter liv to furia.htm

And ii.
... But it is certainly strange that Bozrah, in that passage, is mentioned as the last
of all the Moabitish towns, and that, immediately after its mention, there ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

Moabitish (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Moabite. Multi-Version Concordance Moabitish
(2 Occurrences). Ruth 1:4 And they took them Moabitish...
/m/moabitish.htm - 7k

Moab's (7 Occurrences)

/m/moab's.htm - 8k

Luhith (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Made of boards, a Moabitish place between Zoar and Horonaim
(Isaiah 15:5; Jeremiah 48:5). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/l/luhith.htm - 8k

Moabitesses (1 Occurrence)

/m/moabitesses.htm - 6k

Maiden (40 Occurrences)
... Ruth 2:6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is
the Moabitish maiden who came back with Naomi out of the fields of Moab; (DBY ...
/m/maiden.htm - 24k

Damsel (43 Occurrences)
... Ruth 2:6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is
the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab: (KJV ...
/d/damsel.htm - 20k

Abode (112 Occurrences)
... Ruth 1:4 And they took them Moabitish wives; the name of the one was Orpah, and
the name of the second Ruth: and they abode there about ten years. (DBY). ...
/a/abode.htm - 36k

Fields (199 Occurrences)
... Ruth 2:6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is
the Moabitish maiden who came back with Naomi out of the fields of Moab; (DBY ...
/f/fields.htm - 37k

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