מוֹאָב

Moab refers primarily to the land located on the eastern side of the Dead Sea, extending north past the Arnon River. It also designates the people inhabiting that land, who were descendants of Lot through his elder daughter (Gen 19:37). The Moabites are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, often in narratives concerning Israel's neighbors and enemies. During the time of the Judges, Eglon, king of Moab, oppressed Israel for eighteen years until he was assassinated by Ehud (Judges 3). During David's reign, Moab became subject to Israel, paying tribute (2 Sam 8:2, 1 Chron 18:2). Due to their opposition to Israel and refusal to assist them during the Exodus, God forbade Moabites from entering the assembly of the Lord (Deut 23:3–6).

The Moabite language was closely related to Hebrew, as evidenced by the Mesha Stele (also known as the Moabite Stone), a 9th-century BC inscription that provides an extrabiblical account of conflicts between Moab and Israel. Several biblical prophets pronounce oracles against Moab, foretelling its destruction due to its pride and hostility towards God’s people (e.g., Isa 15–16; Jer 48; Ezek 25:8–11; Amos 2:1–3; Zeph 2:8–11). While often portrayed as adversaries, there are also instances of peaceful interaction; for example, Ruth, a Moabitess, became an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, of Jesus.

The characterization of Moab in the Bible is complex, ranging from a people with whom Israel had a shared ancestry to a nation frequently condemned for its idolatry and antagonism toward God's covenant people. The repeated prophecies of Moab’s downfall highlight a recurring biblical theme of divine judgment against nations that oppose God’s will, even as glimpses of individual redemption (like Ruth) show the broader scope of God’s redemptive plan.