### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Cheshbôwn**, represented by `{{H2809}}`, identifies **Heshbon**, a significant city located east of the Jordan. It appears 38 times across 37 unique verses in the Bible. The name itself is the same as the Hebrew word for reckoning or devising, a connection that is sometimes highlighted in scripture. Heshbon is primarily known as the royal city of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and its story is deeply intertwined with Israel's conquest of the land.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H2809}}` is central to the account of Israel's journey to the promised land. It is repeatedly identified as the capital city of Sihon the Amorite, whose defeat was a pivotal moment for the Israelites [[Deuteronomy 1:4]]. After its conquest, Heshbon was rebuilt by the tribe of Reuben [[Numbers 32:37]] and later designated as a Levitical city [[Joshua 21:39]]. The city also features prominently in prophecies of judgment against Moab, where it is depicted as a place of wailing and desolation ([[Isaiah 15:4]], [[Jeremiah 49:3]]). In a starkly different context, its fishpools are used as a metaphor for beauty in the Song of Solomon [[Song of Solomon 7:4]].
### Related Words & Concepts
The narrative of Heshbon is enriched by related Hebrew words that describe the events surrounding it:
* `{{H2803}}` **châshab** (to devise, plot, think): This word creates a powerful pun in a prophecy against Moab, where in **Heshbon** `{{H2809}}`, enemies **devised** `{{H2803}}` evil against it [[Jeremiah 48:2]].
* `{{H5221}}` **nâkâh** (to strike, smite, slay): This verb is frequently used to describe Israel's decisive victory over the kings associated with Heshbon, such as when Moses and the children of Israel **smote** `{{H5221}}` Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon [[Deuteronomy 4:46]].
* `{{H3213}}` **yâlal** (to howl, yell): This word captures the profound grief and destruction prophesied for the city. Jeremiah commands the inhabitants to **howl** `{{H3213}}` because Heshbon is spoiled [[Jeremiah 49:3]].
### Theological Significance
The story of `{{H2809}}` carries significant narrative weight, illustrating key themes of divine action and consequence.
* **Symbol of Divine Conquest:** The defeat of Sihon and the capture of Heshbon serve as a primary testament to God's power and His faithfulness in giving the land to Israel. The LORD commanded Israel to "begin to possess" the land by contending with the king of Heshbon in battle [[Deuteronomy 2:24]], and the victory is later recalled as a foundational act of God [[Nehemiah 9:22]].
* **Object of Prophetic Judgment:** Once a symbol of enemy power to be overcome, Heshbon later becomes an object of God's wrath in prophecies against Moab. Its fields languish [[Isaiah 16:8]], its joy is removed, and its people are commanded to lament as judgment falls [[Jeremiah 49:3]].
* **Marker of Israelite Inheritance:** The city's integration into Israel's national life is confirmed by its inclusion in the tribal allotments [[Numbers 32:37]], its status as a Levitical city [[1 Chronicles 6:81]], and its long history as an Israelite settlement, as referenced by Jephthah [[Judges 11:26]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2809}}` is more than a geographical location; it is a city with a dynamic role in the biblical story. From its status as the formidable capital of an Amorite king to its conquest by Israel as a sign of God's favor, and from its place within Israel's inheritance to its later depiction as a ruin in prophetic oracles, Heshbon's journey is multifaceted. Its narrative arc serves as a powerful illustration of divine conquest, judgment, and the enduring memory of God's acts in the history of His people.
TRV