What is…
Heshbon

also known as: Hisban

Meaning: intelligence

This is an ancient city ruled over by Sihon, king of the Amorites (Joshua 3:10; 13:17)

It was taken by Moses (Numbers 21:23-26), and became afterwards a Levitical city (Joshua 21:39) in the tribe of Reuben (Numbers 32:37).

After the Exile it was taken possession of by the Moabites (Isaiah 15:4; Jeremiah 48:2, 34, 45).

The ruins of this town are still seen east of the north end of the Dead Sea. There are reservoirs in this district, which are probably the “fishpools” referred to in Song of Songs 7:4.

Ancient Heshbon (Hisban), an archaeological site—satellite view

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