The Ancient City of Heshbon

March 21, Saturday

Heshbon is located on a large hill southwest of Amman about 10 miles. When the Israelites came to this area of Jordan it was inhabited by the Amorites.  Israel sent messengers to the king of the Amorites, asking for permission to pass through the area and they promised they would not go into the fields or vineyards, nor drink any of their water but the king refused and came out to fight against them.  The Israelites defeated the Ammorites and possessed Heshbon and the villages around it.  (Numbers 21:21-28)

When the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, conquered the cities of Jordan on his way to Jerusalem, Heshbon was overrun and the population killed and scattered.  This defeat was lamented by the prophet Isaiah as he compared the destruction of Heshbon to the destruction that would await Jerusalem.  

Heshbon was important throughout many civilizations of the Middle East.  Modern excavations at the site have identified 10 different civilian layers.  A large hill represents the central location of the city.  It was very WINDY and COLD when we were there.