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Place Old Testament

Heshbon

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Heshbon, an Amorite city conquered by Moses (Num.21.25-30), was allotted to Reuben (Num.32.37; Josh 13:17) but later given to the Levites (Josh 21:39); it was a significant city in the region (Isa.15.4; 16:8-9; Jer.48.2, 34, 45; 49:3). Mentioned in 37 verses across 9 books, first at Numbers 21:25.

Why it matters. Amorite city conquered by Moses, allotted to Reuben

Location
31.801, 35.809 (approximate, within about 2 km)

Coordinates from STEPBible TIPNR (palopenmaps.org link). Approximate; not independently verified.

Last reviewed
2026-08-30 by the FaithGraph team

About Heshbon

Heshbon was a prominent Amorite city located about 50 miles east of Jerusalem, in what is now western Jordan. It was the capital of Sihon, king of the Amorites, who had taken it from the Moabites (Num.21.26-30). During the Israelites' journey to Canaan, Moses conquered Heshbon and its surrounding territories (Num.21.25, 34; Deut 1:4; 2:24-30; 3:2, 6; 4:46; 29:7). The city was initially allotted to the tribe of Reuben (Num.32.3, 37; Josh 13:10, 17) but was later given to the tribe of Gad (Josh 13:26) and then to the Levites (Josh 21:39; 1Ch.6.81). Heshbon was a significant city in the region, mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible (Josh 9:10; 12:2, 5; Judg 11:19, 26; Neh.9.22; Sng.7.4; Isa.15.4; 16:8-9; Jer.48.2, 34, 45; 49:3). Its ruins, known as Hesban, have been excavated by archaeologists, revealing its rich history from biblical times through the Byzantine period.

Description from STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0, lightly reformatted. This is background reference material, not Scripture and not a FaithGraph editorial claim.

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Appears in Scripture

Named in 37 verses across 9 books. Occurrence data from STEPBible TIPNR (CC BY 4.0); references only, no translation text.

Record type: Place. FaithGraph explanations on this page are editorial and are not Scripture.