Topical Bible: Nebo: A City Allotted to the Tribe of Reuben: Prophecies Concerning

◄ Nebo: A City Allotted to the Tribe of Reuben: Prophecies Concerning ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Biblical References and Historical Context:

Nebo is a city mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the tribal allotments in the Promised Land. It was one of the cities given to the tribe of Reuben, as recorded in the Book of Numbers and the Book of Joshua. The city of Nebo is distinct from Mount Nebo, where Moses viewed the Promised Land before his death.

Allotment to the Tribe of Reuben:

In the division of the land east of the Jordan River, Nebo was allotted to the tribe of Reuben. This allocation is detailed in Numbers 32:3, where the Reubenites express their desire to settle in the land of Gilead, which includes Nebo: "Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon." Later, in Joshua 13:15-16, the allotment is confirmed: "This is what Moses had given to the clans of the tribe of Reuben: The territory from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the middle of the valley, the entire plateau past Medeba, to include Heshbon and all its cities on the plateau, including Dibon, Bamoth-baal, Beth-baal-meon, Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath, Kiriathaim, Sibmah, Zereth-shahar on the hill in the valley, Beth-peor, the slopes of Pisgah, and Beth-jeshimoth."

Prophecies Concerning Nebo:

The city of Nebo is also mentioned in the context of prophetic declarations, particularly in the Book of Isaiah and the Book of Jeremiah. These prophecies often concern the judgment and destruction that would come upon Moab, the nation that later occupied the region where Nebo was located.

In Isaiah 15:2, the prophet speaks of the mourning that will occur in Moab, including Nebo: "Dibon goes up to its temple, to its high places to weep; Moab wails over Nebo and Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off." This passage highlights the impending doom and lamentation that would befall the city as part of the broader judgment against Moab.

Jeremiah 48 also contains a prophecy against Moab, with specific mention of Nebo in verse 1: "Concerning Moab: This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: 'Woe to Nebo, for it will be laid waste. Kiriathaim will be captured; the fortress will be disgraced and shattered.'" This prophecy underscores the divine judgment that would result in the desolation of Nebo, reflecting the broader theme of God's sovereignty and justice over the nations.

Theological Significance:

The city of Nebo, as part of the Reubenite inheritance, represents the fulfillment of God's promise to the tribes of Israel regarding the land. However, its later association with Moab and the prophetic declarations against it serve as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. The prophecies concerning Nebo illustrate the themes of judgment and redemption that are prevalent throughout the Scriptures, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant.

Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 15:2
He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off.
Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 48:1,22
Against Moab thus said the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Woe to Nebo! for it is spoiled: Kiriathaim is confounded and taken: Misgab is confounded and dismayed.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... they requested that a special bazaar might be allotted to them ... wife shall be an harlot
in the city, and thy ... the gods,"to Bel, to Zirbanit, to Nebo, to Tashmit ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm