Places in the Bible · Settlement

Heshbon

Heshbon is a settlement mentioned in 37 verses. Its most likely location is Tell Hesban. The name means “invention; industry.”

Where is Heshbon?

Approx. 31.8008, 35.8091 · OpenStreetMap · Google Maps

Possible modern locations

IdentificationTypeConfidence
Tell HesbansettlementHigh
Tall JalulsettlementMedium
Tall al UmayrisettlementLow

Heshbon in the Bible dictionary

Intelligence, a city ruled over by Sihon, king of the Amorites (Josh. 3:10; 13:17). It was taken by Moses (Num. 21:23-26), and became afterwards a Levitical city (Josh. 21:39) in the tribe of Reuben (Num. 32:37). After the Exile it was taken possession of by the Moabites (Isa. 15:4; Jer. 48:2, 34, 45). The ruins of this town are still seen about 20 miles east of Jordan from the north end of the Dead Sea. There are reservoirs in this district, which are probably the “fishpools” referred to in Cant. 7:4.

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897), public domain. Full dictionary entry →

Verses that mention Heshbon

  • Numbers 21:25

    And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof.

  • Numbers 21:26

    For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even unto Arnon.

  • Numbers 21:27

    Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared:

  • Numbers 21:28

    For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon.

  • Numbers 21:30

    We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which reacheth unto Medeba.

  • Numbers 21:34

    And the Lord said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.

  • Numbers 32:3

    Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon,

  • Numbers 32:37

    And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim,

  • Deuteronomy 1:4

    After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites, which dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, which dwelt at Astaroth in Edrei:

  • Deuteronomy 2:24

    Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.

All 37 references