Overview:
Rabbath, also known as Rabbah, is a significant city mentioned in the Bible, primarily associated with the Ammonites. It is located east of the Jordan River and serves as the capital of the Ammonite kingdom. The city is notable for its strategic and economic importance in ancient times, as well as its role in various biblical narratives.

Biblical References:
Rabbath is first mentioned in Deuteronomy 3:11, where it is noted as the location of the iron bedstead of Og, king of Bashan, which was kept in Rabbath of the Ammonites. This reference highlights the city's significance as a repository of historical artifacts and its connection to the broader region's history.

In 2 Samuel 11:1, Rabbath is the site of a significant military campaign led by King David. The passage states, "In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem." This event is pivotal as it sets the stage for the subsequent narrative involving David, Bathsheba, and Uriah the Hittite.

The siege of Rabbath is further detailed in 2 Samuel 12:26-31, where Joab captures the royal city and calls for David to come and claim the victory. The Berean Standard Bible records, "Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and captured the royal city. Then Joab sent messengers to David to say, 'I have fought against Rabbah and have taken the water supply of the city. Now, therefore, gather the rest of the troops and besiege the city and capture it, lest I capture the city myself and it be named after me.'" David's eventual capture of the city underscores his military prowess and the expansion of his kingdom.

Historical and Archaeological Context:
Rabbath, known today as Amman, the capital of modern Jordan, was a fortified city with significant defenses, including a citadel. Its location on the King's Highway made it a vital trade and military hub. Archaeological excavations have uncovered various artifacts, including fortifications and water systems, corroborating its historical and biblical significance.

Theological Significance:
Rabbath's biblical narrative illustrates themes of divine justice and the consequences of sin. The siege and capture of Rabbath are intertwined with the account of David's moral failings, particularly his adultery with Bathsheba and the arranged death of her husband, Uriah. These events serve as a backdrop for God's judgment and the subsequent repentance and restoration of David, as seen in Psalm 51.

Prophetic References:
The prophets also mention Rabbath in the context of divine judgment against the Ammonites. In Jeremiah 49:2, the Lord declares, "Therefore behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will sound the battle cry against Rabbah of the Ammonites; it will become a mound of ruins, and its villages will be set on fire. Then Israel will dispossess those who dispossessed her, says the LORD." This prophecy underscores the theme of retribution and the fulfillment of God's promises concerning the nations surrounding Israel.

Conclusion:
Rabbath's role in biblical history is multifaceted, serving as a backdrop for military conquests, moral lessons, and prophetic declarations. Its enduring legacy is reflected in its continued prominence as a major city in the region.Rabbath

Or RABBATH-AMMON, afterwards called Philadelphia, the capital of the Ammonites, was situated near the southern source of the jabbok, some twenty-two miles beyond Jordan. It was famous even in the time Moses, De 3:11 Joshua 13:25. When David declared war against the Ammonites, his general, Joab, laid siege to Rabbath-Ammon, where Uriah lost his life by a secret order of his prince; and when the city was reduced to the last extremity, Joab sent for David to hasten and go thither, to enjoy the honor of taking it, 2 Samuel 11:12. From this time it became subject to the kings of Judah; but the kings of Israel subsequently became masters of it, with the tribes beyond Jordan. Towards the conclusion of the kingdom of Israel, Tiglathpileser having taken away a great part of the Israelites, the Ammonites were guilty of many cruelties against those who remained; for which the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel pronounced very severe prophecies against Rabbath, their captial, and against the rest of the country; which probably had their completion five years after the destruction of Jerusalem, Jeremiah 49:1-3 Ezekiel 21:20.

Antiochus the Great afterwards took the city. It was long known to the Greeks and Romans as Philadelphia; but this name is now unknown in that vicinity, while the more ancient name still survives. It is now called Amman, and is about fifteen miles southeast of Szalt, the ancient Ramoth-Gilead. Burckhardt found there extensive runs, which he has described. He and numerous other travellers found it desolate, as had been foretold; it was literally "a stable for camels," "a couching-place for flocks," Ezekiel 25:5.

7237. Rabbah -- two places in Isr.
... Rabbah, Rabbath. Feminine of rab; great; Rabbah, the name of two places in Palestine,
East and West -- Rabbah, Rabbath. see HEBREW rab. 7236, 7237. ...
/hebrew/7237.htm - 6k

'More than Conquerors through Him'
... The answer of Joab was to lay siege to Rabbath, the capital of Ammon, an almost
impregnable fastness, perched on a cliff, and surrounded on all sides but one ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/more than conquerors through him.htm

The Tears of the Penitent.
... against Ammon, and "tarried still at Jerusalem." At all events, the story brings
into sharp contrast the levy en masse, encamped round Rabbath, and their ...
/.../maclaren/the life of david/xiii the tears of the penitent.htm

The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
... yet there are some of them, who make it to be the distance of 'ten parsae.' "Rabbath
Bar Bar Channah saith, Rabbi Jochanan saith, from Jerusalem to Jericho ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 46 the country of.htm

A Group of Miracles among a Semi-Heathen Population
... Of these cities Hippos, on the southeastern shore of the Lake, was the most northern,
and Philadelphia, the ancient Rabbath-Ammon, the most southern. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxiv a group of.htm

A Rich Man who was a Thief
... THIEF. One evening, while Joab was besieging Rabbath Ammon, David rose
from his bed and walked upon the roof of the royal palace. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a rich man who was.htm

How Moses Conquered Sihon and Og Kings of the Amorites, and ...
... And men could easily guess at his strength and magnitude when they took his bed
at Rabbath, the royal city of the Ammonites; its structure was of iron, its ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how moses conquered.htm

Some Associated Questions
... [120] Proculus was born at Philadelphia (doubtless the city of that name beyond
Jordan, the old Rabbath-Ammon), and his father bore the Syrian name Rabilus. ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 12 some associated questions.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4. <. ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

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

Rabbath (2 Occurrences)
...Rabbath (2 Occurrences). ... (KJV WBS YLT). Ezekiel 21:20 Appoint a way, that the sword
may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced. ...
/r/rabbath.htm - 7k

Rabbah (14 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Or Rab'bath, great. (1.) "Rabbath of the children of Ammon,"
the chief city of the Ammonites, among the eastern hills, some 20 miles ...
/r/rabbah.htm - 19k

Gad (78 Occurrences)
... boundary. It included Rabbath-ammon in the East. ... If we refer to Joshua 13:25, this
might seem to indicate a valley near Rabbath-ammon. According ...
/g/gad.htm - 49k

Rabbi (51 Occurrences)

/r/rabbi.htm - 22k

Valley (187 Occurrences)
... the valley of Gad. If we refer to Joshua 13:25, this might seem to indicate
a valley near Rabbath-ammon. According to a generally ...
/v/valley.htm - 75k

Zamzummims (1 Occurrence)
... conjectured that they might be Ham-zuzims, ie, Zuzims dwelling in Ham, a place
apparently to the south of Ashteroth (Genesis 14:5), the ancient Rabbath-ammon. ...
/z/zamzummims.htm - 7k

Kir-haraseth (1 Occurrence)
... Built fortress, a city and fortress of Moab, the modern Kerak, a small town on the
brow of a steep hill about 6 miles from Rabbath-Moab and 10 miles from the ...
/k/kir-haraseth.htm - 8k

Kirharaseth (1 Occurrence)
... Built fortress, a city and fortress of Moab, the modern Kerak, a small town on the
brow of a steep hill about 6 miles from Rabbath-Moab and 10 miles from the ...
/k/kirharaseth.htm - 8k

Nahash (9 Occurrences)
... Some writers go so far as to claim that "all passages in which this name (Nahash)
is found refer to the same individual." (3) A resident of Rabbath-ammon, the ...
/n/nahash.htm - 14k

Nobah (2 Occurrences)
... If it is to be distinguished from Kenath, then probably it will have to be sought
somewhere to the Northeast of Rabbath-Ammon (`Amman). W. Ewing. ...
/n/nobah.htm - 8k

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