Numbers 21:30

21:30 We have overpowered them; ¹ 

Heshbon has perished as far as Dibon.

We have shattered them as far as Nophah,

which ²  reaches to Medeba.”

Joshua 13:9

13:9 Their territory started ³  from Aroer (on the edge of the Arnon Valley), included the city in the middle of the valley, the whole plain of Medeba as far as Dibon,

Isaiah 15:2

15:2 They went up to the temple, ⁴ 

the people of Dibon went up to the high places to lament. ⁵ 

Because of what happened to Nebo and Medeba, ⁶  Moab wails.

Every head is shaved bare,

every beard is trimmed off. ⁷ 

[21:30]  ¹ tc The first verb is difficult. MT has “we shot at them.” The Greek has “their posterity perished” (see GKC 218 §76.f).

[21:30]  ² tc The relative pronoun “which” (אֲשֶׁר, ’asher) posed a problem for the ancient scribes here, as indicated by the so-called extraordinary point (punta extraordinaria) over the letter ר (resh) of אֲשֶׁר. Smr and the LXX have “fire” (אֵשׁ, ’esh) here (cf. NAB, NJB, RSV, NRSV). Some modern scholars emend the word to שֹׁאָה (sho’ah, “devastation”).

[13:9]  ³ tn The words “their territory started” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

[15:2]  ⁴ tn Heb “house.”

[15:2]  ⁵ tn Heb “even Dibon [to] the high places to weep.” The verb “went up” does double duty in the parallel structure.

[15:2]  ⁶ tn Heb “over [or “for”] Nebo and over [or “for”] Medeba.”

[15:2]  ⁷ sn Shaving the head and beard were outward signs of mourning and grief.