Beth Baal Meon
“House of Baal of the dwelling”
Summary
A city on the plateau east of the Jordan, originally Moabite, later assigned to Reuben, also known as Baal-meon, Beon, and Beth-meon.
☩Names and Location
Beth-baal-meon was a city on the downs or plain east of the Jordan, in the territory assigned to Reuben. It appears under various names in Scripture: Baal-meon, Beon (a contracted form), and Beth-meon. Its ruins, called Main today, are of vast extent, occupying the crests and slopes of four adjacent hills southwest of Heshbon.
☩Historical Significance
The commanding views from its neighboring peaks suggest this may have been among the 'high places of Baal' to which Balak led Balaam to view Israel's camp and curse them. Originally Moabite territory, it was taken by Israel and assigned to Reuben, but later reverted to Moab, being mentioned in prophetic judgments against that nation.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Beth-baal-Meon," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Bethbaalmeon," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Beth Baal Meon," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).