The Moabites, descendants of Moab, the son of Lot and his eldest daughter (Genesis 19:37), were a people who inhabited the region east of the Dead Sea. Throughout biblical history, the Moabites had a complex and often adversarial relationship with the Israelites. One significant episode highlighting this tension is the Moabites' refusal to allow the Israelites to pass through their land during the Exodus journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.

Biblical Account

The refusal of the Moabites is recorded in the Book of Numbers. As the Israelites, led by Moses, approached the borders of Moab, they sought permission to pass through the land peacefully. However, the Moabites, along with the Edomites, denied this request. Numbers 20:14-21 details the interaction with Edom, while Numbers 21:4-5 describes the Israelites' subsequent journey around Edom and Moab. Although the specific refusal by Moab is not detailed in the same manner as Edom's, Deuteronomy 23:3-4 provides insight into the Moabites' actions: "No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation. For they did not meet you with bread and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you."

Historical and Theological Context

The Moabites' refusal to assist Israel is significant in the broader narrative of Israel's journey to the Promised Land. This act of hostility is compounded by their later attempt to curse Israel through the prophet Balaam (Numbers 22-24). The Moabites' actions are seen as a direct opposition to God's chosen people, reflecting a broader theme of enmity between Israel and the surrounding nations.

From a theological perspective, the Moabites' refusal is interpreted as a failure to recognize and respect the divine mandate given to Israel. The Moabites' lack of hospitality and their subsequent actions against Israel are viewed as contrary to the will of God, who had promised the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Consequences and Legacy

The refusal of the Moabites had lasting consequences. Deuteronomy 23:3-6 explicitly states that no Moabite was to be admitted into the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation, due to their actions against Israel. This exclusion underscores the severity of their offense in the eyes of the biblical authors.

Despite this, the Moabites continued to play a role in Israel's history. The Book of Ruth, for example, tells the account of Ruth, a Moabite woman who becomes an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. This narrative highlights the possibility of redemption and inclusion for those outside of Israel, even among the Moabites.

Conclusion

The Moabites' refusal to let Israel pass is a pivotal moment that illustrates the tensions between Israel and its neighbors. It serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the Israelites during their journey and the broader theme of divine providence and judgment in the biblical narrative.Judges 11:17,18
Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray you, pass through your land: but the king of Edom would not listen thereto. And in like manner they sent to the king of Moab: but he would not consent: and Israel stayed in Kadesh.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Letter cxlvii. To Sabinianus.
... Gaza, Tyre, Edom, the Ammonites and the Moabites, the Jews ... them to turn and to repent,
had refused to hear ... sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine; let us eat ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxlvii to sabinianus.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... "Come unto Heshbon," it said; "let the city ... subsequent to the settlement of the
Ammonites and Moabites in the ... It was a king who refused a passage through his ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The Infallibility of God's Purpose
... bolted and barred the door, and would not let him in. ... to be melted than the granite
itself, refused to move ... the son of Zippor, king of the Moabites, and Balaam ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/the infallibility of gods purpose.htm

Paul Before the Council.
... that Paul did know Ananias, but refused to acknowledge ... Secondly, Let us be careful
to discover a meek and ... in the case of the Ammonites, the Moabites, and the ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxvi paul before the.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... and if all the Gentiles had been refused admittance into ... the command to exclude the
Ammonites and Moabites is founded ... Let them rise up and help you; let it be ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... for it was to this that the Moabites and Ammonites ... perceived the stratagem, and with
a smile let him see ... Out of modesty I at first refused compliance, but as ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... is said to have, in the first instance, refused the crown ... the East, sheikhs of the
Midianites, Moabites, and Ammonites ... Jahveh was "with him, and did let none of ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Old Testament and Archeology
... At the close of Ahab's reign Mesha refused to continue ... marched with their armies
against the Moabites, who fled ... the assailants, and because he had let me see ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... to Joshua which he puts into the angel's mouth, let them be ... tears for his eyes, that
he may adequately weep for Israel; [2752] and ... [2792] Moabites and Ammonites ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... pretensions, he was content to let them lie ... offered no resistance, but nevertheless
refused to acknowledge ... of Hamath and masters of half Israel, were powerful ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Who were the Moabites? | GotQuestions.org

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

Who was Ehud? | GotQuestions.org

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