Rabbah, Rabbath
Rabbah, Rabbath
[Rab’bah] [Rab’bath]
1. The fortified capital of the Ammonites. It was not included in the cities taken by the tribes on the east of the Jordan. Deu 3:11; Jos 13:25. Joab, however, attacked it, and, during its siege, Uriah, by the instigation of David, lost his life. The city was eventually taken and destroyed. 2Sa 11:1; 2Sa 12:26-29; 2Sa 17:27; 1Ch 20:1. Subsequently, when the strength of Israel was broken, it appears to have recovered itself, for we find its doom announced in the prophets. Jer 49:2-3; Eze 21:20; Eze 25:5; Amo 1:14. Identified with Amman 31 57′ N, 35 57′ E. There are many ruins on the site, but they are judged to belong to the Roman period, when a city, called Philadelphia, was built there. A stream rises in the midst of the city, and this fact, together with its being the last place to obtain water for crossing the desert, doubtless was the cause of its being called ‘the city of waters.’ 2Sa 12:27.
2. City of Judah, near Kirjath-jearim. Jos 15:60. Identified by some with ruins at Rubba, 31 40′ N, 34 58′ E.