Topical Encyclopedia
Sihon was a significant Amorite king whose territory and military encounters are prominently featured in the Old Testament. His kingdom was located east of the Jordan River, encompassing the region from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River, which included the city of Heshbon as his capital. Sihon's reign and subsequent defeat by the Israelites are pivotal events in the narrative of Israel's journey to the Promised Land.
Biblical Account:The primary account of Sihon is found in the Book of Numbers and the Book of Deuteronomy. In
Numbers 21:21-24 , the Israelites, under Moses' leadership, sent messengers to Sihon with a peaceful request to pass through his land: "Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, 'Let us pass through your land. We will not turn aside into any field or vineyard, nor drink the water from any well. We will travel the King's Highway until we have passed through your territory.'" However, Sihon refused to allow Israel passage and instead mobilized his army to confront them in the wilderness.
The confrontation resulted in a decisive victory for the Israelites.
Numbers 21:24 states, "And Israel put him to the sword and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, but only as far as the Ammonites, because their border was fortified." This victory was significant as it marked the beginning of Israel's conquest of the Transjordan region.
Theological Significance:Sihon's defeat is often interpreted as a demonstration of God's faithfulness and power in fulfilling His promises to the Israelites.
Deuteronomy 2:30-31 highlights the divine orchestration behind these events: "But Sihon king of Heshbon refused to let us pass through. For the LORD your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as is the case this day."
The victory over Sihon and the subsequent possession of his land served as a tangible sign of God's providence and the unfolding of His covenantal promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It also set a precedent for the Israelites' future conquests in Canaan, reinforcing the theme of divine intervention and guidance.
Historical and Cultural Context:Sihon's kingdom was strategically located along the King's Highway, a major trade route in the ancient Near East. This made his territory both economically and militarily significant. The Amorites, of whom Sihon was a king, were a prominent people group in the region, often depicted in the Bible as formidable adversaries of Israel.
The defeat of Sihon and the Amorites not only expanded Israel's territory but also served to intimidate other neighboring nations, as evidenced by the reaction of Balak, king of Moab, who sought Balaam's help to curse Israel (Numbers 22).
Legacy:Sihon's defeat is frequently referenced in later biblical texts as a testament to God's might and faithfulness. Psalms 135:10-12 and Psalms 136:17-22 both recount the victory over Sihon as part of Israel's history of divine deliverance. These references serve to remind the Israelites of God's past acts of salvation and to encourage trust in His continued guidance and protection.
In summary, Sihon stands as a symbol of opposition to God's people and the subsequent triumph of divine will over human resistance. His account underscores the themes of God's sovereignty, the fulfillment of His promises, and the establishment of Israel in the land He had set apart for them.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Sihonrooting out; conclusion
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Sihon(warrior) king of the Amorites when Israel arrived on the borders of the promised land. (Numbers 21:21) (B.C. 1451.) Shortly before the time of Israel's arrival he had dispossessed the Moabites of a splendid territory, driving them south of the natural bulwark of the Amen. Ibid. (Numbers 21:26-29) When the Israelite host appeared, he did not hesitate or temporize like Balak, but at once gathered his people together and attacked them. But the battle was his last. He and all his host were destroyed, and their district from Amen to Jabbok became at once the possession of the conqueror.
ATS Bible Dictionary
SihonKing of the Amorites at Heshbon, on refusing passage to the Hebrews, and coming to attack them, was himself slain, his army routed, and his dominions divided among Israel,Numbers 21:21-34 De 2:26-36.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Striking down. The whole country on the east of Jordan, from the Arnon to the Jabbok, was possessed by the Amorites, whose king, Sihon, refused to permit the Israelites to pass through his territory, and put his army in array against them. The Israelites went forth against him to battle, and gained a complete victory. The Amorites were defeated; Sihon, his sons, and all his people were smitten with the sword, his walled towns were captured, and the entire country of the Amorites was taken possession of by the Israelites (
Numbers 21:21-30;
Deuteronomy 2:24-37).
The country from the Jabbok to Hermon was at this time ruled by Og, the last of the Rephaim. He also tried to prevent the progress of the Israelites, but was utterly routed, and all his cities and territory fell into the hands of the Israelites (Comp.Numbers 21:33-35;Deuteronomy 3:1-14;Psalm 135:10-12;136:17-22).
These two victories gave the Israelites possession of the country on the east of Jordan, from the Arnon to the foot of Hermon. The kingdom of Sihon embraced about 1,500 square miles, while that of Og was more than 3,000 square miles.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SIHONsi'-hon (cichon): King of the Amorites, who vainly opposed Israel on their journey from Egypt to Palestine, and who is frequently mentioned in the historical books and in the Psalms because of his prominence and as a warning for those who rise against Yahweh and His people (Numbers 21:21, and often;Deuteronomy 1:4;Deuteronomy 31:4Joshua 2:10Judges 11:19, 20, 211 Kings 4:19Nehemiah 9:22Psalm 135:11;Psalm 136:19Jeremiah 48:45).
Strong's Hebrew
5511. Sichon -- a king of the Amorites... 5510, 5511. Sichon or Sichon. 5512 . a king of the Amorites. Transliteration:
Sichon or Sichon Phonetic Spelling: (see-khone') Short Definition:
Sihon.
...Sihon...Library
How Moses ConqueredSihon and Og Kings of the Amorites, and...
... CHAPTER 5. How Moses ConqueredSihon And Og Kings Of The Amorites, And Destroyed
Their Whole Army And Then Divided Their Land By Lot To Two Tribes And A Half...
The Nations of the South-East
... When the Israelitish invasion, however, took place, the Amorites underSihon had
thrust themselves between, and had carved for themselves a kingdom out of the...
Canaan
... Not long before the Israelitish invasion, the Amorite kingSihon had robbed Moab
of its territory and founded his power on the ruins of that of the Egyptian...
From Kadesh to the Death of Moses.
... Amorites. Here they came into conflict withSihon the King of the Amorites,
whom they defeated, and possessed his land. (Num.21:23-24)....
Numbers
... Then Israel turned north, and began her career of conquest by defeating
Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan (xxi.)....
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The extension of the Amorite power in this direction is proved by the facts relating
to the kingdoms ofSihon and Og Gent. i.4, ii.24-37, iii.1-1.7....
The Hardening of Nations.
... Heathen nations and individuals may come in direct contact with the Lord and His
Anointed, as Pharaoh andSihon through their relations with Israel; and as the...
Psalm 136
... 18Yea, famous kings in battle slew: for his grace faileth never. ^19Ev'nSihon king
of Amorites: for he hath mercy ever. ^20And Og the king of Bashanites:...
Book 4 Footnotes
... were never to meddle with the Moabites, or Ammonites, or any other people, but those
belonging to the land of Canaan, and the countries ofSihon and Og beyond...
The Story of God's Mighty Acts
... Have ye not heard tell how God smote Og, king of Bashan, andSihon, king of the
Amorites, because they withstood the progress of his people?...
Thesaurus
Sihon (34 Occurrences)... The whole country on the east of Jordan, from the Arnon to the Jabbok, was possessed
by the Amorites, whose king,
Sihon, refused to permit the Israelites to
...Sihon's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceSihon's (1 Occurrence). Numbers 21... to Heshbon!
let the city ofSihon be built and established! (See NIV)....
Jahaz (8 Occurrences)
... Trodden down (called also Jahaza, Joshua 13:18; Jahazah, 21:36; Jahzah, 1 Chronicles
6:78), a town whereSihon was defeated, in the borders of Moab and in the...
Reigned (206 Occurrences)
... said to Moses, "Don't fear him: for I have delivered him into your hand, and all
his people, and his land; and you shall do to him as you did toSihon king of...
Og (22 Occurrences)
... His overthrow was afterwards celebrated in song (Psalm 135:11; 136:20).
(seeSIHON.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. OG. (`ogh; Og...
Ruling (123 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Deuteronomy 1:4 After he had overcomeSihon, king of the Amorites, ruling
in Heshbon, and Og, king of Bashan, ruling in Ashtaroth, at Edrei: (BBE)....
Heshbon (37 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Intelligence, a city ruled over bySihon, king
of the Amorites (Joshua 3:10; 13:17). It was taken by Moses...
Defeated (88 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 1:4 after he had struckSihon the king of the Amorites, who lived in
Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth, at Edrei....
Gathereth (65 Occurrences)
... Numbers 21:23 AndSihon hath not suffered Israel to pass through his border, and
Sihon gathereth all his people, and cometh out to meet Israel into the...
Mustered (28 Occurrences)
... Numbers 21:23Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his border: butSihon
gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the...
Resources
Who was Sihon, king of the Amorites? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Og king of Bashan? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Amorites? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
