with Heshbon, and all its cities that are in the tableland; Dibon, and Bamoth-baal, and Beth-baal-meon,
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to just see a list of names, but notice how "Bamoth-baal" and "Beth-baal-meon" are mentioned. These names directly point to the pagan worship of Baal that the Israelites were meant to displace, showing that inheriting the land wasn't just about territory, but also about spiritual conquest.
with Heshbon, and all its cities that are in the tableland; Dibon, and Bamoth-baal, and Beth-baal-meon,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of the detailed account of dividing the conquered land of Canaan among the Israelite tribes. Following the military victories, Moses had already assigned territories east of the Jordan River to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and this chapter is cataloging those inheritances. Joshua is now tasked with assigning the remaining lands west of the Jordan, but first, he must ensure the eastern territories are clearly defined and documented, acknowledging the cities and regions within their assigned borders.
Why are specific cities listed when the land is being divided? This verse isn't just a list of names; it's a testament to God's precise plan for His people.
A Blueprint for Belonging
The book of Joshua marks a pivotal moment: the Israelites are claiming the Promised Land. But this isn't a free-for-all. God, through Moses and then Joshua, meticulously details the boundaries and cities for each tribe.
This detailed division serves several crucial purposes:
Joshua 13:17 names Heshbon, Dibon, and others. These aren't random locations; they are part of a divinely ordained inheritance, ensuring each tribe knew their place and God's faithfulness.
The names of these cities—Bamoth-baal and Beth-baal-meon—sound strange to our modern ears. What do they reveal about the land the Israelites were inheriting?
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Confronting Idolatry
The place names in this region carry the weight of Canaanite religion. Names like 'Bamoth-baal' (High Places of Baal) and 'Beth-baal-meon' (House of Baal's Habitation) point directly to the prevalent worship of Baal, a fertility god.
This wasn't just a historical detail; it was a spiritual reality the Israelites had to confront:
For the Israelites, inheriting these cities meant not just claiming territory but actively displacing false worship and establishing true worship of Yahweh.
The specific cities mentioned in Joshua 13:17 were part of the lands east of the Jordan, conquered and allotted *before* the main invasion of Canaan. This division was crucial for establishing a settled existence for these tribes, even as the larger campaign continued.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Wander in Wilderness
After escaping Egypt, the Israelites spent 40 years in the desert. During this time, they encountered various kingdoms and peoples east of the Jordan River.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Sihon and Og
The Israelites, led by Moses, conquered the Amorite kingdoms of Sihon (Heshbon) and Og (Bashan) east of the Jordan River. This paved the way for settlement in these lands.
c. 1400 BC
Division of Land East of Jordan
Moses divided the conquered lands of Sihon and Og among the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh before the main conquest of Canaan began.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Tribal Allotments Recorded
Detailed boundaries and cities for Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh were recorded, establishing their inheritances. This included cities like Heshbon and Dibon for Reuben.
c. 1370 BC
Joshua Leads Conquest of Canaan
Joshua succeeded Moses and led the Israelites in conquering the lands west of the Jordan River, fulfilling God's promise of the Promised Land.
This passage directly precedes the division of the land and recounts Israel's conquest of Heshbon and its surrounding cities from the Amorites, setting the stage for their inheritance described in Joshua.
Numbers 32:33-42This chapter details the specific request of the Reubenites and Gadites to settle east of the Jordan, receiving cities like Heshbon and Dibon, which directly relates to the inheritance described in Joshua 13.
Jeremiah 48:20-23This prophetic oracle against Moab mentions Dibon and Heshbon, showing how these cities, once conquered by Israel, would later face judgment, reflecting the historical weight and ongoing significance of this territory.
Judges 11:26This verse provides a historical perspective from the Ammonites, claiming that Israel took their land, including Heshbon, which highlights the complex territorial disputes and God's powerful work in establishing His people in the land.
calvinJoshua 13:15-33: "And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben inheritance according to their families."
And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.
Et omnes urbes planitiei, et universum regnum Sihon regis Aemorrhaei, qui regnabat in Hesbon, quem percussit Moses: et prin…
clarkeJoshua 13:17: "Heshbon, and all her cities that are in the plain; Dibon, and Bamothbaal, and Bethbaalmeon,"
Bamoth-baal - The high places of Baal, probably so called from altars erected on hills for the impure worship of this Canaanitish Priapus.
It's easy to just see a list of names, but notice how "Bamoth-baal" and "Beth-baal-meon" are mentioned. These names directly point to the pagan worship of Baal that the Israelites were meant to displace, showing that inheriting the land wasn't just about territory, but also about spiritual conquest.
This passage is part of the detailed account of dividing the conquered land of Canaan among the Israelite tribes. Following the military victories, Moses had already assigned territories east of the Jordan River to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and this chapter is cataloging those inheritances. Joshua is now tasked with assigning the remaining lands west of the Jordan, but first, he must ensure the eastern territories are clearly defined and documented, acknowledging the cities and regions within their assigned borders.
This passage is part of the detailed account of dividing the conquered land of Canaan among the Israelite tribes. Following the military victories, Moses had already assigned territories east of the Jordan River to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and this chapter is cataloging those inheritances. Joshua is now tasked with assigning the remaining lands west of the Jordan, but first, he must ensure the eastern territories are clearly defined and documented, acknowledging the cities and regions within their assigned borders.
"with Heshbon, and all its cities that are in the tableland; Dibon, and Bamoth-baal, and Beth-baal-meon," — It's easy to just see a list of names, but notice how "Bamoth-baal" and "Beth-baal-meon" are mentioned. These names directly point to the pagan worship of Baal that the Israelites were meant to displ…
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Last reviewed October 2026