Dibon; Dibon-Gad
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient urban center in the Moabite plateau, identified with the modern site of Dhiban in Jordan.
What is the meaning of Dibon; Dibon-Gad in the Bible?
Dibon was a principal city of Moab, captured by the Amorites and subsequently allocated to the tribe of Gad, where it was known as Dibon-gad. The site experienced repeated shifts in control between Moabite and Israelite forces during the late Bronze and Iron Ages.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the strategic location of Dibon clarifies the territorial disputes described in the Book of Numbers and the Mesha Stele, illustrating the complex political boundaries between Moab and the Israelite tribes in the Transjordan region.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.