Medeba
“Waters of Rest”
Summary
An ancient Moabite city on the tableland east of the Jordan, captured by Israel and later contested.
☩Location
Medeba was situated on the high plateau of Moab, about six miles south of Heshbon and approximately fifteen miles east of the Dead Sea. The modern town of Madeba occupies the ancient site. The surrounding plain was fertile and suitable for agriculture and grazing.
☩Conquest by Israel
Originally a Moabite city, Medeba was conquered by Sihon king of the Amorites before Israel's arrival (Numbers 21:30). When Israel defeated Sihon, Medeba became part of the territory assigned to Reuben (Joshua 13:9, 16). The 'waters of Medeba' are mentioned in Isaiah's oracle against Moab (Isaiah 15:2).
☩Later History
During the period of the Judges, Medeba apparently reverted to Moabite control. The Ammonites hired Syrian forces who 'came and pitched before Medeba' against David (1 Chronicles 19:7). The Moabite Stone (Mesha Stele) records that Mesha, king of Moab, recaptured Medeba from Israel around 850 BC.