The Moabites, descendants of Moab, the son of Lot by his elder daughter (Genesis 19:37), were a people frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. They inhabited the region east of the Dead Sea, in what is now modern-day Jordan. The Moabites are often depicted in the Bible as idolatrous, engaging in practices that were in direct opposition to the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

The idolatry of the Moabites is first notably mentioned in the context of Israel's journey to the Promised Land. In Numbers 25:1-3, the Israelites began to engage in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices of their gods. The text states, "So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the LORD’s anger burned against them" . This incident led to a severe plague among the Israelites, demonstrating the spiritual and physical dangers of idolatry.

The Moabite god Chemosh is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures. In 1 Kings 11:7, Solomon, influenced by his foreign wives, built a high place for Chemosh on a hill east of Jerusalem. This act was part of Solomon's broader apostasy, which ultimately led to the division of the kingdom. Chemosh was considered a detestable god, and the Moabites' worship of him was a significant point of contention between them and the Israelites.

The Moabites' idolatrous practices are further highlighted in the prophetic literature. In Isaiah 16:12, the prophet describes the futility of Moab's worship: "When Moab appears at her high place, she only wears herself out; when she goes to her shrine to pray, it is to no avail" . This passage underscores the impotence of Moabite gods compared to the power of Yahweh.

Despite their idolatry, the Moabites occasionally interacted with Israel in ways that were not entirely hostile. The Book of Ruth provides a notable example, where Ruth, a Moabitess, becomes an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. Ruth's account is a testament to God's grace and the possibility of redemption for individuals from idolatrous nations.

The Moabites' idolatry is also a recurring theme in the historical narratives of the Old Testament. In 2 Kings 3, the Moabite King Mesha rebels against Israel, and during the ensuing conflict, he offers his firstborn son as a sacrifice on the city wall, an act of desperation and idolatrous devotion (2 Kings 3:26-27). This event illustrates the extreme measures to which the Moabites would go in their worship practices.

Throughout the Old Testament, the Moabites serve as a cautionary example of the dangers of idolatry and the consequences of turning away from the worship of the one true God. Their interactions with Israel highlight the tension between faithfulness to Yahweh and the allure of foreign gods, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.1 Kings 11:7
Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

From Kadesh to the Death of Moses.
... He seems to have led Balak to entice Israel, through pretensions of friendship,
to partake in the idolatrous and impure festivals of the Moabites (Num.25:1-5 ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter vii from kadesh to.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... into error, for he became too friendly with the idolatrous House of ... Afterwards, when
the Edomites, Ammonites, and Moabites came up against Judah, Jehoshaphat ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

The Divided Kingdom.
... of Solomon the people had turned away from Jehovah and engaged in the idolatrous
worship of other gods, especially those of the Zidonians, Moabites and Ahijah ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

Book 4 Footnotes
... that the Israelites were never to meddle with the Moabites, or Ammonites, or ... never
supposes Balaam to be an idolater, nor to seek idolatrous enchantments, or ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 4 footnotes.htm

Reformation
... Because of the cruelty and treachery of the Ammonites and Moabites toward Israel,
God ... this man, to whom God had given great wisdom; yet idolatrous women had ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 57 reformation.htm

The Rending of the Kingdom
... the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom ... final apostasy
is revealed the fearful result of Solomon's union with idolatrous women ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 6 the rending of.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... 20, and only allowed by God in this particular case, when the Moabites were to ... for
being partaker in idolatry itself, out of compliance with an idolatrous court ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

Joshua's Conquest.
... on the northeast, and on the east and southeast, the Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites ...
It was a new thing in the world to have all idolatrous symbols destroyed ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... Each would be the capital of their respective idolatrous systems. ... ie, idol) of the
Zidonians, and Chemosh, the abomination of the Moabites, and Milcom, the ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

The Historical Books.
... in connection with this the story of Micah and his idolatrous establishment (chaps ...
falls within the eighty years of rest after the oppression of the Moabites. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

What is significance of Mount Seir? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Lot in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of high places in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus