Topical Bible: Arnon: Boundary Between Moabites and Amorites

◄ Arnon: Boundary Between Moabites and Amorites ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Arnon River, known in modern times as Wadi Mujib, is a significant geographical and historical feature in the biblical narrative. It served as a natural boundary between the territories of the Moabites and the Amorites. The river is mentioned multiple times in the Old Testament, highlighting its importance in the ancient Near Eastern landscape and its role in the territorial delineations of the time.

Geographical Context

The Arnon River flows into the Dead Sea from the east, cutting through the rugged terrain of the Transjordan. Its deep gorge and swift waters made it a formidable natural barrier. The river's course runs approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) from its source in the highlands of Moab to its mouth at the Dead Sea. This geographical feature provided a clear demarcation line between the lands of the Moabites to the south and the Amorites to the north.

Biblical References

The Arnon is first mentioned in the context of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. In Numbers 21:13, the Israelites camped on the other side of the Arnon, which is described as "the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites." This passage underscores the river's role as a boundary marker.

In Deuteronomy 2:24, God commands the Israelites to "Arise, set out, and cross the Arnon. See, I have delivered into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to take possession of it, and engage him in battle." This directive marks the beginning of Israel's conquest of the Amorite territory, which lay north of the Arnon.

The river is also mentioned in the context of territorial disputes. In Judges 11:18, Jephthah, the judge of Israel, recounts the history of Israel's journey and the conquest of the Amorite lands, emphasizing that the Israelites did not encroach upon the land of Moab, which was south of the Arnon.

Historical and Theological Significance

The Arnon River's role as a boundary is not only geographical but also theological. It represents the limits set by God for the nations surrounding Israel. The river's mention in the context of Israel's conquests serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over the land and His providential guidance in the establishment of Israel's borders.

The Arnon also symbolizes the transition from the wilderness wanderings to the conquest of the Promised Land. Crossing the Arnon marked a significant step in the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs, as the Israelites moved from the periphery of the land into its heart.

Cultural and Archaeological Insights

Archaeological findings in the region surrounding the Arnon have provided insights into the ancient cultures that inhabited the area. The Moabites, known from both biblical and extrabiblical sources, left behind inscriptions and artifacts that attest to their presence south of the Arnon. The Mesha Stele, for instance, mentions the Moabite king Mesha's victories and his relationship with the Israelites, providing a historical backdrop to the biblical narrative.

In summary, the Arnon River stands as a significant landmark in biblical history, marking the boundary between the Moabites and the Amorites and playing a crucial role in the narrative of Israel's journey to the Promised Land. Its mention in Scripture highlights the interplay between geography, history, and theology in the unfolding account of God's people.

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Numbers 21:13,26
From there they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which is in the wilderness that comes out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.
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Numbers 22:36
And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him to a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.
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Deuteronomy 2:24,36
Rise you up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.
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Deuteronomy 3:8,16
And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites the land that was on this side Jordan, from the river of Arnon to mount Hermon;
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Joshua 12:1
Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon to mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:
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Library

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... containing the district lying around the Arnon, and the ... the same rapid progress in
the country between the Jordan ... as to avoid the Midianites and the Moabites. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... Sidon, Byblos, Mahallat, Maiza, Kaiza, the Amorites and Arvad ... frontier on the Chaldaean
side, between the Tigris and the mountains, was the boundary fixed by ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... to signify "the white mountain;" the Amorites called the ... the greater part of the
country between the Orontes ... Sea"the Yarmuk,* the Jabbok,** and the Arnon.***. ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm