Jahaz (Jahzah), a Moabite town where the Israelites defeated Sihon and later allotted to Reuben.
Also known as Jahzah · Jahazah
Jahaz, also known as Jahzah, was a town located in the region of Moab, east of the Jordan River. It was the site of a significant battle between the Israelites and Sihon, king of the Amorites, during the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land (Numbers 21:23; Deu.2.32; Judges 11:20). The Israelites defeated Sihon and took possession of his land, which extended from the Arnon to the Jabbok. Jahaz was later allotted to the tribe of Reuben (Joshua 13:18) and designated as a Levitical city (Joshua 21:36; 1Ch.6.78). The town is mentioned in prophecies concerning Moab (Isaiah 15:4; Jeremiah 48:21, 34), indicating its continued significance in the region. Its exact location is uncertain, but it was likely situated near the northern border of Moab.
Approximate location: 31.501, 35.921 · view on a map · on the Bible atlas
Trodden down (called also Jahaza, Josh. 13:18; Jahazah, 21:36; Jahzah, 1 Chr. 6:78), a town where Sihon was defeated, in the borders of Moab and in the land of the Ammonites beyond Jordan, and north of the river Arnon (Num. 21:23; Deut. 2:32). It was situated in the tribe of Reuben, and was assigned to the Merarite Levites (Josh. 13:18; 21:36). Here was fought the decisive battle in which Sihon (q.v.) was completely routed, and his territory (the modern Belka) came into the possession of Israel. This town is mentioned in the denunciations of the prophets against Moab (Isa. 15:4; Jer. 48:34).
Jahazah, quarrel; dispute
JA'HAZ (place trodden down), a Moabitish city situated near the desert; afterward reckoned to the tribe of Reuben and assigned to the priests. Num 21:23; Deut 2:32; Isa 15:4; Jer 48:34. It is also called Jahaza, Josh 13:18, Jahazah, Josh 21:36; Jer 48:21, and Jahzah. 1 Chr 6:78. At this place the Israelites gained a victory over Sihon and conquered the territory between the Arnon and the Jabbok; but in later times Jahaz seems to have been occupied by the Moabites. Osborn locates Jahaz a mile south of the Arnon and 12 miles east of the Dead Sea.
JA'HAZ (place trodden down), a Moabitish city situated near the desert; afterward reckoned to the tribe of Reuben and assigned to the priests. Num 21:23; Deut 2:32; Isa 15:4; Jer 48:34. It is also called Jahaza, Josh 13:18, Jahazah, Josh 21:36; Jer 48:21, and Jahzah. 1 Chr 6:78. At this place the Israelites gained a victory over Sihon and conquered the territory between the Arnon and the Jabbok; but in later times Jahaz seems to have been occupied by the Moabites. Osborn locates Jahaz a mile south of the Arnon and 12 miles east of the Dead Sea.
Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.
9 verses in 7 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H3096
But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. Instead, he gathered his whole army and went out to confront Israel in the wilderness. When he came to Jahaz, he fought against Israel.
So Sihon and his whole army came out for battle against us at Jahaz.
Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath,
From the tribe of Reuben they were given Bezer, Jahaz,
But Sihon would not trust Israel to pass through his territory. So he gathered all his people, encamped in Jahaz, and fought with Israel.
From the tribe of Reuben east of the Jordan opposite Jericho they were given Bezer in the wilderness, Jahzah,
Heshbon and Elealeh cry out; their voices are heard as far as Jahaz. Therefore the soldiers of Moab cry out; their souls tremble within.
Judgment has come upon the high plain— upon Holon, Jahzah, and Mephaath,
There is a cry from Heshbon to Elealeh; they raise their voices to Jahaz, from Zoar to Horonaim and Eglath-shelishiyah; for even the waters of Nimrim have dried up.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.