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Jahaz

Locations
Modern Location Tell el-Umeiri, Jordan
Coordinates 31.8667, 35.8667

Geographical Setting

Jahaz was an ancient fortified city located in the territory of the Amorites, situated on the edge of the Transjordanian plateau.

What is the meaning of Jahaz in the Bible?

Jahaz was a fortified city in the territory of Sihon, king of the Amorites, which was conquered by the Israelites under Moses and subsequently allocated to the tribe of Reuben; it is also referenced in later biblical texts as a Moabite location.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding the geography of Jahaz clarifies the territorial boundaries of the Transjordanian tribes and provides historical context for the military campaigns described in the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Jahaz (located near modern Tell el-Umeiri, Jordan) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Jahaz in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Jahaz clarify?

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.

How to Cite This Entry

"Jahaz." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/jahaz/
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