jahaz Summary and Overview

trodden down (called also Jahaza, Josh. 13:18; Jahazah, 21:36; Jahzah, 1 Chr. 6:78), a town where Sihon was defeated, in the borders of Moab and in the land of the Ammonites beyond Jordan, and north of the river Arnon (Num. 21:23; Deut. 2:32). It was situated in the tribe of Reuben, and was assigned to the Merarite Levites (Josh. 13:18; 21:36). Here was fought the decisive battle in which Sihon (q.v.) was completely routed, and his territory (the modern Belka) came into the possession of Israel. This town is mentioned in the denunciations of the prophets against Moab (Isa. 15:4; Jer. 48:34).

JA'HAZ (place trodden down), a Moabitish city situated near the desert; afterward reckoned to the tribe of Reuben and assigned to the priests. Num 21:23; Deut 2:32; Isa 15:4; Jer 48:34. It is also called Jahaza, Josh 13:18, Jahazah, Josh 21:36; Jer 48:21, and Jahzah. 1 Chr 6:78. At this place the Israelites gained a victory over Sihon and conquered the territory between the Arnon and the Jabbok; but in later times Jahaz seems to have been occupied by the Moabites. Osborn locates Jahaz a mile south of the Arnon and 12 miles east of the Dead Sea.

J AHAZA (<061318> Joshua 13:18), J AHAZAH (21:36), J AHZAH ( Numbers 21:23; Deuteronomy 2:32; Judges 11:20; Isaiah 15:4; Jeremiah 48:21,34). Here the battle was fought wherein Israel overcame Sibon and so won his whole territory between the Arnon and the Jabbok. Jahaza was assigned to Reuben, then to the Merarite Levites (1 Chronicles 6:78; Joshua 21:36). It was in the plain country, now the Belka, in the extreme S. of Sihon's land but N. of the Arnon. Doubtless the battle was fought along the slope of the hill still called Shihan. There is on it a network of cyclopean walls, whence the slings and arrows of Israel dislodged the Amorites according to Josephus. Thence the enemy fled two miles to the edge of the Arnon gorge. 1 Chronicles 23:19; 24:23. 4. Of the sons of Asaph. Under the Spirit, who came upon him, he encouraged Jehoshaphat and the congregation of Judah in the house of the Lord, before the new court: "thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not ... dismayed by reason of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's; tomorrow go ye down against them; behold they come up by the cliff of Ziz, and ye shall find them at the end of the brook (valley) before the wilderness of Jeruel, ye shall not need to fight ... stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you" (2 Chronicles 20:14; Psalm 83:3-7). This psalm was composed by one of the sons "of Asaph,"which Jahaziel was; he probably was its author. It is called: a "song" (shir ), a thanksgiving by anticipation for the victory. It was sung by the Levite Kohathites and Korhites. So, according to their faith, "when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushments against Ammon, Moab, ... and they were smitten." The 47th Psalm was sung on the battlefield (2 Chronicles 20:26) after the victory, the 48th Psalm subsequently (2 Chronicles 20:28) in the temple.