Topical Encyclopedia
The Moabites were a people descended from Moab, the son of Lot, who was the nephew of Abraham. The origin of the Moabites is recounted in the Book of Genesis, where it is described that after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his daughters took refuge in the mountains. In an effort to preserve their family line, Lot's daughters made their father drink wine and lay with him, resulting in the birth of Moab, the progenitor of the Moabites (
Genesis 19:30-37).
The Moabites settled in the region east of the Dead Sea, an area that came to be known as Moab. This territory was characterized by its rugged terrain and was bordered by the Arnon River to the north and the Zered River to the south. The land of Moab was fertile and well-suited for agriculture, which contributed to the prosperity of the Moabite people.
Throughout the Old Testament, the Moabites are frequently mentioned in relation to the Israelites. The relationship between the two groups was complex, marked by periods of both conflict and cooperation. The Moabites were often in conflict with Israel, as seen in the Book of Judges, where Eglon, the king of Moab, oppressed Israel for eighteen years until he was assassinated by Ehud, a judge of Israel (
Judges 3:12-30).
Despite these hostilities, there were also instances of peaceful interaction and intermarriage between the Moabites and Israelites. One of the most notable examples is the account of Ruth, a Moabite woman who became the great-grandmother of King David. Ruth's loyalty to her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi, and her subsequent marriage to Boaz, a relative of Naomi, is a testament to the possibility of harmonious relations between the two peoples (Ruth 1-4).
The Moabites were known for their worship of the god Chemosh, to whom they offered sacrifices, including human sacrifices in times of dire need. This idolatrous practice was condemned by the Israelites, who were commanded to worship Yahweh alone. The Moabites' idolatry and their seduction of the Israelites into similar practices were a source of tension and conflict, as seen in the incident at Peor, where Moabite women led the Israelites into idolatry and immorality, resulting in a divine plague (
Numbers 25:1-9).
Prophetic literature in the Old Testament often includes oracles against Moab, reflecting the ongoing enmity between Moab and Israel. The prophet Isaiah foretold the downfall of Moab, describing its destruction and lamenting its fate (Isaiah 15-16). Similarly, the prophet Jeremiah prophesied against Moab, declaring that it would be judged for its pride and idolatry (Jeremiah 48).
Despite their frequent opposition to Israel, the Moabites were not entirely excluded from God's redemptive plan. The inclusion of Ruth, a Moabite, in the lineage of David and ultimately Jesus Christ, highlights the possibility of redemption and inclusion for all peoples who turn to the God of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Deuteronomy 2:9And the LORD said to me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give you of their land for a possession; because I have given Ar to the children of Lot for a possession.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Nations of the South-East
... The Ammonites believed themselves to be thechildren of the... the settlement of the
Ammonites andMoabites in the... country which was henceforth to becalled Edom....
The Pioneer's Influence Upon a Nation's Ideals.
... (5) Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall becalled thechildren of God...
relationship between the Hebrews and their neighbors, theMoabites, across the...
CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... Judah, that the announcement of thelot of Israel... command to exclude the Ammonites
andMoabites is founded... They werecalled children of Israel, andchildren of...
How God Overthrew the Nation of the Sodomites, Out of his Wrath...
... and said that it was impossible she should bearchildren, since she... in it: it is
to this daycalled Zoar, for... of whom was the father of theMoabites, which is...
V. ...
... and had come into the land of theMoabites, king Balak... to set up an idol so that
thechildren of Israel... right name, for Bileaam or Balaam is hecalled in Hebrew...
The Wilderness.
... their coming out of Egypt, Hecalled them round... His oaths to their forefather in
thechildren of Moses... TheMoabites took alarm, though these, as descended from...
How the Philistines Made Another Expedition against the Hebrews...
... as he commanded them, the kingcalled Ahitub the... nations, and subdued the Ammonites,
andMoabites, and Philistines... He had three malechildren, Jonathan, and Isui...
The Historical Books.
... Many of them were military leaders,called to their... hundred and eightieth year after
thechildren of Israel... years of rest after the oppression of theMoabites....
Reformation
... and treachery of the Ammonites andMoabites toward Israel... Ammon, and of Moab: and
theirchildren spake half... generations; and thou shalt becalled, The repairer...
Chapter xxv
... Cushites on the south; the Edomites,Moabites, etc., on... Esau's heel; so his name
wascalled Jacob (Heeler... these parents had waited twenty years forchildren; cf...
Resources
Who were the Moabites? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Moab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Ehud? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
