Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Sihon was a significant Amorite king whose territory and military encounters are prominently featured in the Old Testament. His kingdom was located east of the Jordan River, encompassing the region from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River, which included the city of Heshbon as his capital. Sihon's reign and subsequent defeat by the Israelites are pivotal events in the narrative of Israel's journey to the Promised Land.Biblical Account: The primary account of Sihon is found in the Book of Numbers and the Book of Deuteronomy. In Numbers 21:21-24 , the Israelites, under Moses' leadership, sent messengers to Sihon with a peaceful request to pass through his land: "Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, 'Let us pass through your land. We will not turn aside into any field or vineyard, nor drink the water from any well. We will travel the King's Highway until we have passed through your territory.'" However, Sihon refused to allow Israel passage and instead mobilized his army to confront them in the wilderness. The confrontation resulted in a decisive victory for the Israelites. Numbers 21:24 states, "And Israel put him to the sword and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, but only as far as the Ammonites, because their border was fortified." This victory was significant as it marked the beginning of Israel's conquest of the Transjordan region. Theological Significance: Sihon's defeat is often interpreted as a demonstration of God's faithfulness and power in fulfilling His promises to the Israelites. Deuteronomy 2:30-31 highlights the divine orchestration behind these events: "But Sihon king of Heshbon refused to let us pass through. For the LORD your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as is the case this day." The victory over Sihon and the subsequent possession of his land served as a tangible sign of God's providence and the unfolding of His covenantal promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It also set a precedent for the Israelites' future conquests in Canaan, reinforcing the theme of divine intervention and guidance. Historical and Cultural Context: Sihon's kingdom was strategically located along the King's Highway, a major trade route in the ancient Near East. This made his territory both economically and militarily significant. The Amorites, of whom Sihon was a king, were a prominent people group in the region, often depicted in the Bible as formidable adversaries of Israel. The defeat of Sihon and the Amorites not only expanded Israel's territory but also served to intimidate other neighboring nations, as evidenced by the reaction of Balak, king of Moab, who sought Balaam's help to curse Israel (Numbers 22). Legacy: Sihon's defeat is frequently referenced in later biblical texts as a testament to God's might and faithfulness. Psalms 135:10-12 and Psalms 136:17-22 both recount the victory over Sihon as part of Israel's history of divine deliverance. These references serve to remind the Israelites of God's past acts of salvation and to encourage trust in His continued guidance and protection. In summary, Sihon stands as a symbol of opposition to God's people and the subsequent triumph of divine will over human resistance. His account underscores the themes of God's sovereignty, the fulfillment of His promises, and the establishment of Israel in the land He had set apart for them. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary SihonSmith's Bible Dictionary Sihon(warrior) king of the Amorites when Israel arrived on the borders of the promised land. (Numbers 21:21) (B.C. 1451.) Shortly before the time of Israel's arrival he had dispossessed the Moabites of a splendid territory, driving them south of the natural bulwark of the Amen. Ibid. (Numbers 21:26-29) When the Israelite host appeared, he did not hesitate or temporize like Balak, but at once gathered his people together and attacked them. But the battle was his last. He and all his host were destroyed, and their district from Amen to Jabbok became at once the possession of the conqueror. ATS Bible Dictionary SihonKing of the Amorites at Heshbon, on refusing passage to the Hebrews, and coming to attack them, was himself slain, his army routed, and his dominions divided among Israel, Numbers 21:21-34 De 2:26-36. Easton's Bible Dictionary Striking down. The whole country on the east of Jordan, from the Arnon to the Jabbok, was possessed by the Amorites, whose king, Sihon, refused to permit the Israelites to pass through his territory, and put his army in array against them. The Israelites went forth against him to battle, and gained a complete victory. The Amorites were defeated; Sihon, his sons, and all his people were smitten with the sword, his walled towns were captured, and the entire country of the Amorites was taken possession of by the Israelites (Numbers 21:21-30; Deuteronomy 2:24-37).The country from the Jabbok to Hermon was at this time ruled by Og, the last of the Rephaim. He also tried to prevent the progress of the Israelites, but was utterly routed, and all his cities and territory fell into the hands of the Israelites (Comp. Numbers 21:33-35; Deuteronomy 3:1-14; Psalm 135:10-12; 136:17-22). These two victories gave the Israelites possession of the country on the east of Jordan, from the Arnon to the foot of Hermon. The kingdom of Sihon embraced about 1,500 square miles, while that of Og was more than 3,000 square miles. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SIHONsi'-hon (cichon): King of the Amorites, who vainly opposed Israel on their journey from Egypt to Palestine, and who is frequently mentioned in the historical books and in the Psalms because of his prominence and as a warning for those who rise against Yahweh and His people (Numbers 21:21, and often; Deuteronomy 1:4; Deuteronomy 31:4 Joshua 2:10 Judges 11:19, 20, 21 1 Kings 4:19 Nehemiah 9:22 Psalm 135:11; Psalm 136:19 Jeremiah 48:45). Strong's Hebrew 5511. Sichon -- a king of the Amorites... 5510, 5511. Sichon or Sichon. 5512 . a king of the Amorites. Transliteration: Sichon or Sichon Phonetic Spelling: (see-khone') Short Definition: Sihon. ... Sihon ... /hebrew/5511.htm - 6k Library How Moses Conquered Sihon and Og Kings of the Amorites, and ... The Nations of the South-East Canaan From Kadesh to the Death of Moses. Numbers The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus The Hardening of Nations. Psalm 136 Book 4 Footnotes The Story of God's Mighty Acts Thesaurus Sihon (34 Occurrences)... The whole country on the east of Jordan, from the Arnon to the Jabbok, was possessed by the Amorites, whose king, Sihon, refused to permit the Israelites to ... /s/sihon.htm - 20k Sihon's (1 Occurrence) Jahaz (8 Occurrences) Reigned (206 Occurrences) Og (22 Occurrences) Ruling (123 Occurrences) Heshbon (37 Occurrences) Defeated (88 Occurrences) Gathereth (65 Occurrences) Mustered (28 Occurrences) Resources Who was Sihon, king of the Amorites? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Og king of Bashan? | GotQuestions.org Who were the Amorites? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Sihon (34 Occurrences)Numbers 21:21 Numbers 21:23 Numbers 21:26 Numbers 21:27 Numbers 21:28 Numbers 21:29 Numbers 21:34 Numbers 32:33 Deuteronomy 1:4 Deuteronomy 2:24 Deuteronomy 2:26 Deuteronomy 2:30 Deuteronomy 2:31 Deuteronomy 2:32 Deuteronomy 3:2 Deuteronomy 3:6 Deuteronomy 4:46 Deuteronomy 29:7 Deuteronomy 31:4 Joshua 2:10 Joshua 9:10 Joshua 12:2 Joshua 12:5 Joshua 13:10 Joshua 13:21 Joshua 13:27 Judges 11:19 Judges 11:20 Judges 11:21 1 Kings 4:19 Nehemiah 9:22 Psalms 135:11 Psalms 136:19 Jeremiah 48:45 Subtopics Sihon: Conquest of his Kingdom by the Israelites Sihon: His Seat of Government at Heshbon Sihon: The Proverbial Chant Celebrating the Victory of Sihon Over the Moabites Related Terms |
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