plains of Moab
plains of Moab is a region mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Transjordan in modern-day Israel. Known today as Tall el Hammam. It appears across 12 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
The plains of Moab (Arvot Moab) served as Israel's final encampment before crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land. First mentioned in Numbers 22:1, the Israelites camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan opposite Jericho after their victories over Sihon and Og. This location became the setting for some of the most consequential events in Israel's wilderness period. Here Balaam blessed Israel instead of cursing them (Numbers 22-24), and here the people fell into idolatry at Baal Peor (Numbers 25). Moses conducted a second census on these plains (Numbers 26), commissioned Joshua as his successor (Numbers 27:18-23), and delivered the farewell addresses that comprise the book of Deuteronomy. The plains of Moab witnessed Moses' final acts of leadership, the renewal of the covenant, and ultimately his death on nearby Mount Nebo (Deuteronomy 34:1-5). It was from this staging ground that Joshua led Israel across the Jordan, making these plains the threshold between wilderness wandering and promised inheritance.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
The plains of Moab are identified with the broad, flat area on the eastern side of the Jordan River, north of the Dead Sea, in modern Jordan. The region encompasses the area around Tell el-Hammam and the lower Jordan Valley east of Jericho. Archaeological surveys have documented numerous Bronze and Iron Age sites across the area. Tall el-Hammam, one prominent site, has been extensively excavated since 2005 by Steven Collins, revealing a large fortified city with destruction layers. The flat terrain and proximity to perennial water sources made the area ideal for large encampments. The landscape today is largely agricultural, with scattered archaeological tells marking ancient settlement. Several sites preserve evidence of continuous habitation from the Chalcolithic period through the Islamic era.
Verse Appearances (12)
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- OpenBible.info (n.d.) Bible Geocoding. Available at: https://www.openbible.info/geo/. [CC BY 4.0]
- Bagnall, R. et al. (eds.) (n.d.) Pleiades: A Gazetteer of Past Places. Available at: https://pleiades.stoa.org. [CC BY 3.0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]