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SIHON

(Heb. sîhōn, sîhôn)

One of the Amorite kings of Transjordan whom the Israelites defeated before entering Canaan. Sihon’s capital was Heshbon (Deut. 2:26, 30), and the borders of his kingdom extended south to the Arnon River and north to the Jabbok (Num. 21:24). Since Sihon’s territory lay between the Israelites and Canaan, Moses requested peaceful passage (Num. 21:22). Not only did Sihon refuse Moses’ request, he engaged the Israelites in battle at Jahaz (Num. 21:23). The Israelites slew Sihon and defeated his forces, thus gaining control of southern Transjordan. This newly acquired territory was assigned to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh on the condition that they cross over into Canaan to help the other tribes dispossess the inhabitants of the land (Num. 32:33). In his final speech, Moses refers back to this victory as “down payment” of what God would do for Israel in Canaan (Deut. 29:7[MT 6]; 31:4). Moreover, the Canaanites themselves understood this victory as evidence that God was fighting for Israel (Josh. 2:10; 9:10). Often paired with the subsequent Israelite conquest of Og of Bashan (Num. 21:33-35; Deut. 3:8), this battle symbolized God’s power and faithfulness (Neh. 9:22; Ps. 135:10-12; 136:19-20).

Bibliography. A. Haldar, Who Were the Amorites? (Leiden, 1970).

Jeffrey C. Geoghegan

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

SIHON

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)