Arnon (Hastings' Dictionary)

Two streams unite about 13 miles E. of the middle of the Dead Sea to form the A., now known as Wady el-Mojib. Of these the N. one (Wady Waleh) is formed by a number of brooks — often dry — rising near the T}&\ route, N. of 31° 30' N. The S. branch, which is the more important, drains most of the country betwetn the yaj route and the Dead Sea, between 31° 30' and 31° 10', and is formed by the streams now known as Sell S'aideh, Wady es-Sultan, Seil Lejjun, and Wady Bald'a.

These are all united before reaching the neighbourhood of 'Ar'air, and flow theroe almost direct W. for about 20 miles, when they are joined by the Wady Waleh. The E. half thus forms a complete network of streams (the pani* "Sn]). For the greater part of its course the river flows through a deep trench some 2 miles in breadth at the top and about 40 yards at the bottom. The rocky and precipitous banks consist of limestone capped with basalt, and rise in places to a height of 1700 ft.

Their slopes are fringed \vith oleanders, tamarisks, and willows, and near the mouth with castor-bean and cane. Like most rivers in Pal. its stream varies in width and velocity according to the season of the year. Where it issues from its steep banks to the flat shore of the Dead Sea it ranges from 40 to 100 ft. in width, and from 1 to 4 ft.

in depth, while near 'Ar'air, where the old road fromHeshbon to Kir crosses it, and where the remains of an old bridge stUl exist, it is almost dry in July. The A. formed a strong natural boundary, and early separated the territories of the Amorites and Moab (Nu 21", cf. Jg iV^-) ; later those of Reuben and Moab (Dt 3"). Isaiah mentions the ' fords of A.' (16'^), and Jeremiah uses 'A.' as the name of a district (48"). The river is also mentioned on the ' Moabite Stone.' On the N. edge of the S.

stream was the town Aroer (see Aroer), and between the N. and S. streams Dibon (see DiBON). LiTERATORR.— Eoblnson, Fhy: Otog. qf Pal. 164-166 ; PEFSt (1896), 204, 216. G. W. THATCHER.