Numbers 32:3

Numbers 32:3. Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, &c.— All these towns belonged to the territories of Sihon and Og, and lay on the east side of Jordan. There was another Ataroth within the land of Canaan. Joshua 5:7. Nimrah, called Bethnimra in the 36th verse, and Jos 13:27 signifies, according to Bochart, the habitation of leopards, probably from its neighbourhood to those mountains which leopards frequented; for we find mention in those parts of the mountains of leopards. Song of Solomon 4:8. We may observe in general, that it is usual in Hebrew to cut off the former part of proper names; as Salem for Jerusalem, Psalms 76:2. Lehi for Ramath-lehi, Judges 15:17; Judges 15:19, &c. For Heshbon, see chap. Numbers 21:26, &c.—Shebam, called Shibmah, Num 32:38 and Sibmah, Isaiah 16:8-9. Jer 48:32 appears from those passages to have been a place famous for vines; and in the days of Jeremiah was fallen into the hands of the Moabites, as were Heshbon and Elealeh. Nebo, mentioned also Num 32:38 was situated near Dibon and Kirjathaim, as appears from Jer 48:1 who mentions it when it was fallen again into the hands of the Moabites. Nebo signifies prophecy, or divination; and this name is thought to have been given to the place, because the Moabites had there built a temple and oracle to one of their gods, probably the same who is called Nebo, Isa 46:1 and who was so considerable a divinity among the heathens, that he entered into the composition of many great names among the Babylonlans; as Nebuchadnezzar, Nebu-zaradan, Nabonassar: Beon is thought to be the same which is called Baal-meon in Num 32:38 and Beth-meon, Jeremiah 48:33. It was probably a place where Baal was worshipped. It is called, Joshua 13:17. Beth-baalmeon; i.e. the house, or temple of Baal-meon.