Numbers 21:26
For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even unto Arnon.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עִ֗יר
was the city
H5892
עִ֗יר
was the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
3 of 19
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֖י
of the Amorites
H567
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֖י
of the Amorites
Strong's:
H567
Word #:
6 of 19
an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes
הִ֑וא
H1931
הִ֑וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
7 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְה֣וּא
H1931
וְה֣וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
8 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
מוֹאָב֙
of Moab
H4124
מוֹאָב֙
of Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
11 of 19
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן
against the former
H7223
הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן
against the former
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
12 of 19
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
וַיִּקַּ֧ח
and taken
H3947
וַיִּקַּ֧ח
and taken
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
13 of 19
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִיָּד֖וֹ
out of his hand
H3027
מִיָּד֖וֹ
out of his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
17 of 19
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Historical Context
Heshbon (modern Hesban, Jordan) was a fortified city on the Transjordan plateau. Excavations reveal late Bronze Age occupation, though identifying specific destruction levels with biblical battles remains debated. The city later became a Levitical city (Joshua 21:39) and appears in prophetic oracles against Moab (Isaiah 15-16, Jeremiah 48).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's sovereignty use power struggles between opponents to prepare your inheritance?
- What complex circumstances in your life might God be orchestrating for purposes you can't yet see?
- How does this passage encourage trust in divine providence even through confusing international or interpersonal conflicts?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites—This explains Israel's right to Moabite-named territory: Sihon had conquered it from Moab first. Who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even unto Arnon—Amorite conquest invalidated Moabite claims. Israel took from Amorites what Amorites took from Moab, creating a complex geopolitical justification.
God's providence worked through pagan power struggles. Sihon's earlier conquest positioned Israel's inheritance without requiring them to fight Lot's descendants directly. Divine orchestration uses even enemy victories to prepare covenant fulfillment.