- Who Were the Moabites?

86. Who Were the Moabites?
They were the descendants of Lot and were neighbors of the Amorites on the opposite side of the River Arnon (Numbers 21:1-35; Numbers 20:1-29; Numbers 19:1-22; Numbers 18:1-32; Numbers 17:1-13; Numbers 16:1-50; Numbers 15:1-41; Numbers 14:1-45; Numbers 13:1-33). They were governed by kings and possessed many great cities (Numbers 21:28-30; Isaiah 15:1; Numbers 23:7). They were proud, arrogant, idolatrous, superstitious, rich, confident and prosperous. They were mighty men of war (Isaiah 16:6; 1 Kings 11:7; Jeremiah 27:3; Jeremiah 48:7, Jeremiah 48:11, Jeremiah 48:14). The Amorites deprived them of a large part of their territory (Numbers 21:1-35; Numbers 22:1-41; Numbers 23:1-30; Numbers 24:1-25; Numbers 25:1-18; Numbers 26:1-65). The Moabites refused to let Israel pass through their country and were so greatly impressed and alarmed by the multitude of the Israelitish host that, with Midian, they sent Balaam to curse it (Numbers 22:1-41; Numbers 23:1-30; Numbers 24:1-25). Subsequently, Israel was enticed into their idolatry and even intermarried with them. They were always hostile to Israel until Saul subdued them (1 Samuel 14:47) and were later made tributary to David and the Jewish kings (2 Samuel 8:2-12; 2 Kings 3:4), but finally joined Babylon against Judah (2 Kings 24:2).