Topical Encyclopedia
The Moabites were a people descended from Moab, the son of Lot, who was the nephew of Abraham. The Moabites settled in the region east of the Dead Sea, an area that is part of modern-day Jordan. This territory was known for its fertile land and strategic location, which made it a significant area in biblical history.
The Moabites are mentioned numerous times in the Bible, often in the context of their interactions and conflicts with the Israelites. One notable event in the history of the Moabites is their expulsion of the ancient Emims from their land. The Emims were a people described in the Bible as giants, similar to the Anakim, and were part of the Rephaim, a group of formidable tribes known for their great size and strength.
In
Deuteronomy 2:10-11 , the Bible provides insight into the Moabites' conquest of the Emims: "The Emim had formerly lived there, a people great and many, as tall as the Anakim. Like the Anakim, they were also regarded as Rephaim, though the Moabites called them Emim." This passage highlights the formidable nature of the Emims and the significant achievement of the Moabites in driving them out of the land.
The expulsion of the Emims by the Moabites is part of a broader narrative in
Deuteronomy 2, where God instructs the Israelites about the lands they are to pass through and the peoples they are to encounter. The Moabites' successful conquest of the Emims is presented as a historical precedent for the Israelites, demonstrating that God had given different lands to different peoples according to His divine plan.
The Moabites' relationship with the Israelites was complex, marked by periods of both conflict and cooperation. Despite their shared ancestry through Lot, the Moabites often found themselves at odds with the Israelites. This tension is evident in various biblical accounts, including the account of Balaam, who was hired by the Moabite king Balak to curse the Israelites (Numbers 22-24), and the Moabite oppression of Israel during the time of the Judges (
Judges 3:12-30).
The Moabites' expulsion of the Emims is a testament to their strength and determination as a people. It also serves as a reminder of the shifting dynamics of power and territory in the ancient Near East, where divine providence and human agency intertwined in the unfolding of history.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Deuteronomy 2:9-11And the LORD said to me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give you of their land for a possession; because I have given Ar to the children of Lot for a possession.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
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