Dibon(dimon, dimonah)
“Wasting or pining”
Summary
A Moabite city north of the Arnon River, captured by Israel and assigned to Gad and Reuben, famous as the site where the Moabite Stone was discovered.
☩Location and History
Dibon was situated on the northern bank of the Arnon, originally belonging to Moab but captured by Sihon king of the Amorites before Israel's arrival. The Israelites took it from Sihon and assigned it to Gad, who rebuilt it, hence its alternate name Dibon-Gad. Though allocated to Gad, it appears in lists of Reubenite cities, suggesting the two pastoral tribes shared the territory loosely. By Isaiah's and Jeremiah's time, it had reverted to Moabite control.
☩The Moabite Stone
In 1868, near modern Dhiban, was discovered the famous Moabite Stone—a basalt stele erected by King Mesha recording his rebellion against Israel. The inscription confirms Scripture's account of Moab's subjugation to Israel and subsequent revolt after Ahab's death. It mentions Omri, the Israelite king, by name and describes Mesha's building projects at Dibon, his birthplace and the site of his monument. The stone's alphabet closely resembles early Hebrew script.
☩Prophetic Significance
Isaiah and Jeremiah include Dibon in their oracles against Moab, describing its inhabitants going up to the high places to weep. The prophecies speak of judgment falling on Moab's cities including Dibon, with lamentation heard throughout the land. The site is now marked by extensive ruins on the ancient Roman road about three miles north of the Arnon.
Related Verses13 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Dibon," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Dibon," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Dibon," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).