The Hebrew word Bᵉʻôn, represented by H1194, is the name for Beon, a place East of the Jordan. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. The name is understood to be a probable contraction of a longer name, בֵּית בַּעַל מְעוֹן.
The sole biblical appearance of H1194 occurs within a list of cities in the Transjordan region. These cities were identified by the tribes of Reuben and Gad as being a desirable "place for cattle" Numbers 32:1. In their request for this land as their inheritance, they name Beon alongside several other notable locations: Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Shebam, and Nebo Numbers 32:3.
The significance of Beon is understood through its association with the other cities mentioned in the same verse:
- H1769 Dîybôwn (pining; Dibon, the name of three places in Palestine): A prominent city in the region, listed with Beon and later built by the children of Gad Numbers 32:34. It is also frequently mentioned in prophecies concerning Moab Jeremiah 48:18.
- H2809 Cheshbôwn (Cheshbon, a place East of the Jordan): Another key city in the list Numbers 32:3, it was known as the city of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and was later rebuilt by the children of Reuben Numbers 32:37.
- H5015 Nᵉbôw (Nebo, the name of a Babylonian deity, also of a mountain in Moab, and of a place in Palestine): Listed with Beon, Nebo is known as both a city and the mountain from which Moses viewed the Promised Land Deuteronomy 34:1.
The geographical and historical importance of H1194 is derived from its context:
- Transjordan Territory: Beon is firmly located in the territory east of the Jordan River, part of the land sought by the tribes of Reuben and Gad for its suitability for grazing livestock (Numbers 32:1, Numbers 32:3).
- A City Among Many: Its inclusion in the list in Numbers 32:3 places it within a network of strategic and historically significant cities, many of which were centers of the Amorites before being captured by Israel.
- Part of Israel's Inheritance: The narrative confirms that Beon, along with the surrounding cities, became part of the inheritance of the Israelite tribes who chose to settle east of the Jordan.
In summary, Bᵉʻôn H1194 functions as a specific geographical marker within the Old Testament. Though mentioned only once, its appearance in Numbers 32:3 anchors it to the critical historical event of the settlement of the Transjordan by the tribes of Reuben and Gad. Its significance is magnified by its association with major regional cities like Dibon, Heshbon, and Nebo, helping to define the territory that became the first portion of the Promised Land to be inherited by Israel.
TRV