Joshua 13:17
Heshbon, and all her cities that are in the plain; Dibon, and Bamoth-baal, and Beth-baal-meon,
Original Language Analysis
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עָרֶ֖יהָ
and all her cities
H5892
עָרֶ֖יהָ
and all her cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
3 of 11
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בַּמִּישֹׁ֑ר
that are in the plain
H4334
בַּמִּישֹׁ֑ר
that are in the plain
Strong's:
H4334
Word #:
5 of 11
a level, i.e., a plain (often used (with the article prefix) as a proper name of certain districts); figuratively, concord; also straightness, i.e., (
Historical Context
Heshbon (modern Hesban) was located about 20 miles east of the Jordan River and 15 miles southwest of Amman. Archaeological excavations have confirmed Iron Age occupation. Dibon (modern Dhiban) yielded the famous Moabite Stone. These cities formed a network controlling the King's Highway, the major north-south trade route through Transjordan, making them economically and militarily valuable.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God giving Israel cities they didn't build teach about His sovereignty in providing for His people?
- How does the presence of Baal place-names warn against incomplete spiritual transformation in our own lives?
- In what ways might we occupy territory God has given us physically without possessing it spiritually?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Heshbon, and all her cities that are in the plain—Heshbon (חֶשְׁבּוֹן) was the former capital of Sihon, king of the Amorites (Numbers 21:26), making it a strategic and symbolic prize. The Hebrew ha-mishor (הַמִּישֹׁר, "the plain") refers to the high plateau east of the Dead Sea, excellent grazing land. This verse lists cities conquered from Sihon, now assigned to Reuben: Dibon, Bamoth-baal, Beth-baal-meon, and others.
The inclusion of cities with "Baal" in their names (Bamoth-baal, Beth-baal-meon) highlights the pagan religious landscape Israel was called to transform. God gave Israel cities built by others (Deuteronomy 6:10-11), demonstrating His sovereignty in transferring wealth and infrastructure from the wicked to His covenant people. Yet the retention of Baal place-names foreshadowed Israel's later syncretism—they occupied the land physically but failed to purge it spiritually, a warning against incomplete obedience.