מוֹאָב

From the study of Ruth 1:1

Range of meaning

The people and land east of the Dead Sea, mostly between the Arnon and Zered gorges, with the plain north of the Arnon often disputed. The plateau is good for grain and grazing.

Against the English

"Moab" is just a name to modern readers. An Israelite heard a history.

Used elsewhere in the period

Genesis 19:30–38 traces Moab to Lot's incest with his older daughter, a story told against the Moabites. Numbers 22–25: Balak hires Balaam, and Moabite women lead Israel into Baal-Peor worship. Deuteronomy 23:3–6 bars Moabites from "the assembly of the LORD" to the tenth generation because they did not meet Israel "with bread and water." Judges 3:12–30: Eglon king of Moab oppresses Israel for eighteen years. Outside the Bible, the Mesha Stele (about 840 BC) shows Moab and Israel fighting over territory in the 9th century.

From the study of 2 Kings 3:18

Range of meaning

The kingdom on the plateau east of the Dead Sea, between the Arnon and Zered gorges and, at times, further north. The name can mean the land, the people, or the state, and the context decides which.

Against the English

The Hebrew says simply 'Moab'. BSB, KJV, ESV and NASB have 'the Moabites', NLT 'the army of Moab'. These are all fair, but 'Moab' takes in the land as well as the people, and v.19 goes on at once to cities, trees, springs and fields.

Used elsewhere in the period

Gen 19:37 (the story of Moab's origin); Num 21–25; Deut 2:9; Ruth. Outside the Bible the Mesha Stele (Dhiban, about 840 BC) is Moab's own account of throwing off Israelite control that Omri had imposed.