Amorite city conquered by Moses, allotted to Reuben
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Heshbon, an Amorite city conquered by Moses (Num 21:25-30), was allotted to Reuben (Num.32.37; Josh 13:17) but later given to the Levites (Josh 21:39); it was a significant city in the region (Isa.15.4; 16:8-9; Jer.48.2, 34, 45; 49:3).
Heshbon was a prominent Amorite city located about 50 miles east of Jerusalem, in what is now western Jordan. It was the capital of Sihon, king of the Amorites, who had taken it from the Moabites (Num.21.26-30). During the Israelites' journey to Canaan, Moses conquered Heshbon and its surrounding territories (Num.21.25, 34; Deut 1:4; 2:24-30; 3:2, 6; 4:46; 29:7). The city was initially allotted to the tribe of Reuben (Num.32.3, 37; Josh 13:10, 17) but was later given to the tribe of Gad (Josh 13:26) and then to the Levites (Josh 21:39; 1Ch.6.81). Heshbon was a significant city in the region, mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible (Josh 9:10; 12:2, 5; Judg 11:19, 26; Neh.9.22; Sng.7.4; Isa.15.4; 16:8-9; Jer.48.2, 34, 45; 49:3). Its ruins, known as Hesban, have been excavated by archaeologists, revealing its rich history from biblical times through the Byzantine period.
Intelligence, a city ruled over by Sihon, king of the Amorites (Josh. 3:10; 13:17). It was taken by Moses (Num. 21:23-26), and became afterwards a Levitical city (Josh. 21:39) in the tribe of Reuben (Num. 32:37). After the Exile it was taken possession of by the Moabites (Isa. 15:4; Jer. 48:2, 34, 45). The ruins of this town are still seen about 20 miles east of Jordan from the north end of the Dead Sea. There are reservoirs in this district, which are probably the “fishpools” referred to in Cant. 7:4.
Sources: OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding Data (CC BY 4.0, abf2fc1) · STEPBible TIPNR (CC BY 4.0, Heshbon@Num.21.25-Jer) · Theographic Bible Metadata (CC BY-SA 4.0, heshbon_565)