Topical Encyclopedia The Moabites, descendants of Moab, the son of Lot and his eldest daughter (Genesis 19:37), were a significant people group in the biblical narrative, often interacting with the Israelites. The land of Moab was located east of the Dead Sea, and its people were frequently in conflict with Israel. Despite these hostilities, there were periods when the Moabites were subjugated by Israel and required to pay tribute.One notable instance of this tribute is recorded during the reign of King Ahab of Israel. The Moabites, under King Mesha, were compelled to pay a substantial tribute to Israel, which consisted of sheep and wool. This tribute is detailed in 2 Kings 3:4, which states, "Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he used to pay the king of Israel a tribute of a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams" . This payment underscores the economic relationship and the dominance Israel held over Moab during this period. The tribute of sheep and wool was significant, reflecting both the agricultural wealth of Moab and the demands placed upon them by their Israelite overlords. Sheep farming was a central part of Moabite economy and culture, and the tribute likely represented a considerable portion of their resources. The requirement to pay such a tribute would have been a heavy burden, illustrating the power dynamics between the two nations. The relationship between Moab and Israel was complex, marked by periods of conflict and subjugation. The tribute of sheep and wool is a testament to the fluctuating fortunes of the Moabites in their interactions with Israel. This tribute also highlights the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over nations, as He used Israel to fulfill His purposes, even in their dealings with neighboring peoples like the Moabites. Throughout the biblical narrative, the Moabites are depicted as both adversaries and relatives of Israel, given their shared ancestry through Lot. Despite their frequent opposition to Israel, the Moabites were also recipients of God's providence and judgment, as seen in various prophetic writings. The tribute of sheep and wool serves as a historical marker of the Moabites' subjugation and the intricate relationship between these two ancient peoples. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 3:4And Mesha king of Moab was a sheep master, and rendered to the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 16:1 Library The Old Testament and Archeology The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus The Iranian Conquest Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest Resources Who were the Moabites? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Moab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was Ehud? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Moabites are a Snare to the Israelites Moabites are Given To, As a Possession Moabites with Midian Send for Balaam to Curse Israel Moabites: Alarmed at the Number of Israel Moabites: Always Hostile to Israel Moabites: Benaiah Slew Two Champions of Moabites: Called the People of Chemosh Moabites: Called: Children of Lot Moabites: Called: People of Chemosh Moabites: Calls for Balaam to Curse Israel Moabites: Conquered by Israel and Judah Moabites: David Takes Refuge Among, from Saul Moabites: Deprived of a Large Part of Their Territories by the Amorites Moabites: Descendants of Lot Through his Son Moab Moabites: Excluded from the Congregation of Israel Forever Moabites: Expelled the Ancient Emims Moabites: Gave an Asylum to David's Family Moabites: Harassed and Subdued by Saul Moabites: Israel and Judah Joined Against Moabites: Israelites had War With Moabites: Israelites: Enticed to Idolatry By Moabites: Israelites: Forbidden to Make Leagues With Moabites: Israelites: Forbidden to Spoil Moabites: Israelites: Sometimes Intermarried With Moabites: Joined Babylon Against Judah Moabites: King of, Sacrificed his Son to Excite Animosity Against Moabites: Land of, not Given to the Israelites As a Possession Moabites: Made Tributary to David Moabites: Miraculously Deceived by the Colour of the Water Moabites: Paid Tribute of Sheep and Wool to the King of Israel Moabites: Possessed Many and Great Cities Moabites: Prophecies Concerning Judgments Upon Moabites: Prophesies Respecting: Desolation and Grief Moabites: Prophesies Respecting: Inability to Avert Destruction Moabites: Prophesies Respecting: Restoration from Captivity Moabites: Prophesies Respecting: Subjugation to Israel Moabites: Prophesies Respecting: Subjugation to Messiah Moabites: Prophesies Respecting: Terror on Account of Israel Moabites: Prophesies Respecting: Their Desolation As a Punishment for Their Hatred of Israel Moabites: Prophesies Respecting: To be Captives in Babylon Moabites: Prophesies Respecting: To Destroyed in Three Years Moabites: Prosperous and at Ease Moabites: Refuse Passage of Jephthah's Army Through Their Territory Moabites: Refused to Let Israel Pass Moabites: Revolted from Israel After the Death of Ahab Moabites: Separated from the Amorites by the River Arnon Moabites: The People of Israel Commanded not to Distress the Moabites Moabites: The Territory East of the Jordan River, Bounded on the North by the Arnon River Related Terms |
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