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 21:26KJV
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Numbers 21:26 (KJV)

What does Numbers 21:26 mean?

Numbers 21:26 explains that Heshbon was the main city of Sihon, king of the Amorites, who had previously defeated the former king of Moab and taken all his land as far as the Arnon River. This verse sets the background for why the Amorites controlled this territory before Israel’s arrival.

The verse is part of a historical explanation, likely spoken by the narrator, clarifying the political situation in the region east of the Jordan River. It shows that the land Israel would soon take from Sihon had already changed hands, moving from Moabite to Amorite control. This detail helps the reader understand the shifting boundaries and why the Israelites were not directly taking land from Moab at this point.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 21:26

  • סִיחֹן (Sihon, transliterated "Sichon") refers to the Amorite king, emphasizing his role as a conqueror who had taken land from Moab. This highlights that the territory was not originally Amorite but had been seized.
  • מוֹאָב (Moab, transliterated "Moav") points to the nation that originally owned the land, showing the complex history of the region and why the Israelites’ later conquest was not seen as an attack on Moab itself.
  • אַרְנוֹן (Arnon, transliterated "Arnon") is the river marking the southern boundary of the land in question, making the geographical scope of the conquest clear to the reader.

Why Numbers 21:26 matters

  • Numbers 21:26 clarifies that Israel was not attacking Moabite territory directly, but land that had already been taken by the Amorites, which is important for understanding later events and Israel’s relationship with Moab.
  • The verse helps explain the strategic importance of Heshbon and why it is mentioned repeatedly in the surrounding narrative.
  • By providing this background, the verse connects the Israelites’ actions to earlier conflicts in the region, showing the ongoing shifts in power among local kingdoms.

Where else these words appear

“Arnon” Hebrew H769 · used in 23 verses

  • Numbers 21:13 From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.
  • Deuteronomy 3:8 And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites the land that was on this side Jordan, from the river of Arnon unto mount Hermon;
  • Joshua 13:16 And their coast was from Aroer, that is on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain by Medeba;

“Sihon” Hebrew H5511 · used in 34 verses

  • Numbers 21:21 And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
  • Deuteronomy 2:31 And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land.
  • Joshua 13:10 And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon;

“Heshbon” Hebrew H2809 · used in 37 verses

  • 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.
  • Deuteronomy 3:6 And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city.
  • Judges 11:19 And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy land into my place.

“Amorites” Hebrew H567 · used in 86 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Deuteronomy 1:44 And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.
  • Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.