The Defeat of Sihon

Israel sends a restrained request for passage through Amorite land, but Sihon gathers his army and attacks. Israel defeats him and occupies his land and cities from the Arnon to the Jabbok.

T²¹hen Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, ²²“Let us pass through your land. We will not turn aside into any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.” ²³But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. Instead, he gathered his whole army and went out to confront Israel in the wilderness. When he came to Jahaz, he fought against Israel. ²⁴And Israel put him to the sword and took possession of his land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok — but only up to the border of the Ammonites, because it was fortified. ²⁵Israel captured all the cities of the Amorites and occupied them, including Heshbon and all its villages.

The narrative explains Heshbon’s recent history under Sihon and then quotes a taunt-song about fire and overthrow. What once celebrated Amorite victory now frames their defeat and the ruin of Moab and Heshbon alike.

²⁶Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and taken all his land as far as the Arnon. ²⁷That is why the poets say: ²⁸For a fire went out from Heshbon, ²⁹Woe to you, O Moab! ³⁰But we have overthrown them;