Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 13:17
Heshbon, and all her cities that [are] in the plain; Dibon, and Bamoth-baal, and Beth-baal-meon,
17. Bamoth-baal ] It was a site of the old heathen worship of Baal. It is probably mentioned under the shorter form of Bamoth, Num 21:19, or “ Bamoth-in-the-ravine.” It occurs again in Isa 15:2.
Beth-baal-meon ] At the first approach of the Israelites to this part of Palestine (Num 32:38) it is called Baal-Meon, or in its contracted form Beon (Num 32:3). The Beth is probably a Hebrew addition, and the word denotes “ the House of Baal of the den.” The name still clings to a ruined place of considerable size, a short distance S. W. of Heshbn, and bearing the name of the fortress of Mi’n.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 17. Bamoth-baal] The high places of Baal, probably so called from altars erected on hills for the impure worship of this Canaanitish Priapus.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Heshbon: this city and Dibon and Ataroth were upon the borders of Reuben and Gad, and therefore sometimes are ascribed to Reuben, as here, and Num 32:37, sometimes to Gad, as Num 32:34; 1Ch 6:80,81, by whom Heshbon, is said to be given to the Levites, Jos 21:39. Possibly it and the rest were jointly inhabited by both tribes, as Jerusalem was by Jews and Benjamites.
Bamoth-baal; of which Num 21:28. Beth-baal-meon; called Beth-meon, Jer 48:23, and Baal-meon, Eze 25:9, part of the name being cut off, as is usual with the Hebrews.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Heshbon, and all her cities that [are] in the plain,…. Which was by Medeba, and reached to Dibon:
Dibon, and Bamothbaal, and Bethbaalmeon; Dibon was rebuilt by Gad, though it belonged to Reuben, and perhaps was inhabited by both, being on the borders of each; and Bamothbaal signifies the high places of Baal; see Nu 22:41; perhaps this is the same with Bamoth in the valley, Nu 21:20; and Bethbaalmeon is the same with Baalmeon in
Nu 32:38; where it is highly probable was a temple of Baal, since both “beth” signifies an house, and “meon” an habitation.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
17. Heshbon The ancient capital of Sihon, king of the Amorites. See on Num 21:26-28. Its ruins, some twenty miles east of the Jordan at the spot where it empties into the Dead Sea, still bear the name of Hesban. It was on the summit and sides of a low hill that rises from the undulating plain, and commands a wide prospect. After its capture by the Israelites it was rebuilt by the tribe of Reuben, (Num 32:37,) and afterwards assigned to the Levites. Jos 21:39.
Dibon A city three miles north of the Arnon, captured and occupied by the Israelites after they defeated Sihon. Num 21:30. It was rebuilt by the tribe of Gad, and called Dibon-gad. Num 32:34; Num 33:45. In Isa 15:9, it is called Dimon. It is identified with extensive ruins still bearing the name of Diban. Both Medeba and Dibon are mentioned on the famous Moabite stone recently discovered near this place. See note on 1Ki 16:23.
Bamoth-baal That is, high places of Baal, so called, probably, because it had been a noted place of Baal worship. Knobel regards this place as identical with the modern Jebel Attarus, a mountain a few miles northwest of Dibon, but the true site of the place is as yet only a matter of conjecture.
Bethbaal-meon Called also Baal-meon (Num 32:38) and Beon. Num 32:3. It was evidently also associated with the worship of Baal. Its ruins are found in the modern Main, a few miles southwest of Medeba and a little north of the Wady Zerka.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jos 13:17 Heshbon, and all her cities that [are] in the plain; Dibon, and Bamothbaal, and Bethbaalmeon,
Ver. 17. Bamothbaal and Bethbaalmeon. ] Places of much idolatry, that land desolating sin: such as are now Sichem and Loretto; where, whensoever the Ave Maria bell rings, which is at sunrising, noon, and sun setting, all men, in what place soever, house, field, street, or market, do presently kneel down and say an Ave Maria, &c.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Dibon: Eusebius says the city was situated in the plain of Arnon.
Bamothbaal: or, the high places of Baal, and the house of Baal-meon, Num 21:19, Num 22:41, Num 32:38
Reciprocal: Num 21:30 – Dibon Jos 21:39 – Heshbon 1Ch 5:8 – Baalmeon Isa 15:2 – is gone Jer 48:18 – Dibon Jer 48:23 – Bethmeon Eze 25:9 – Baalmeon