חֶשְׁבּוֹן
Cheshbon, a place East of the Jordan
Definition
Cheshbon (חֶשְׁבּוֹן) is a proper noun referring to a prominent city east of the Jordan River, historically associated with the Amorite kingdom of Sihon. In the biblical narrative, it was first captured by the Israelites from Sihon, king of the Amorites, becoming a key city in the territory of Reuben (Numbers 21:25-26). Later, it was rebuilt and settled by the tribe of Gad (Numbers 32:37). The city also appears in later prophetic oracles as a symbol of Moabite pride and its subsequent judgment (Isaiah 15:4, Jeremiah 48:2, 48:34).
Biblical Usage
The name Cheshbon is used exclusively as a geographical location in the Old Testament. It appears most frequently in the historical books of Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, and Judges, detailing its conquest and allocation to the Israelite tribes (e.g., Numbers 21:34, Joshua 13:17). It is also referenced in the prophetic books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the Song of Solomon (Song of Solomon 7:4), where its mention often evokes its former strength and subsequent desolation, particularly in oracles against Moab.
Etymology
The word חֶשְׁבּוֹן (Cheshbôn) is identical to the common noun חֶשְׁבּוֹן (cheshbôn, H2808), meaning 'account,' 'reckoning,' or 'plan.' This suggests the place name may have originally signified a 'place of accounting' or 'strategic calculation,' possibly alluding to its role as a fortified administrative or commercial center. The shared root with the verb חָשַׁב (châshav, H2803), 'to think, account, or plan,' reinforces this connection.
Semantic Range
Cheshbon serves as a tangible reminder of God's faithfulness in fulfilling the promise of the land to Israel, as its capture marked a decisive victory over a powerful Canaanite king (Numbers 21:21-31). Its subsequent mention in prophecies of judgment (e.g., Jeremiah 48) illustrates the biblical theme that human strength and pride, symbolized by fortified cities, are ultimately subject to God's sovereignty. Understanding its name ('reckoning') adds a layer of irony to its prophetic fate, as God brings His own 'reckoning' upon the proud.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, Cheshbon was a significant fortified city controlling fertile lands and trade routes. Its capture by Israel from the Amorites was a major military and political event, transferring regional power. The later prophetic taunts using its name (Isaiah 15:4, Jeremiah 48:34) rely on the audience's recognition of Cheshbon as a proverbial symbol of Moabite strength and security, making its prophesied fall a powerful image of utter humiliation.
No direct synonyms as a proper place name. Related geographically: שֵׂעִיר (Se'îr, H8165) — a mountainous region, not a city. עַרְעֵר ('Ar'êr, H6177) — another city in the same general region (Moab).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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