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rabbah Summary and Overview

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rabbah in Easton's Bible Dictionary

or Rab'bath, great. (1.) "Rabbath of the children of Ammon," the chief city of the Ammonites, among the eastern hills, some 20 miles east of the Jordan, on the southern of the two streams which united with the Jabbok. Here the bedstead of Og was preserved (Deut. 3:11), perhaps as a trophy of some victory gained by the Ammonites over the king of Bashan. After David had subdued all their allies in a great war, he sent Joab with a strong force to take their city. For two years it held out against its assailants. It was while his army was engaged in this protracted siege that David was guilty of that deed of shame which left a blot on his character and cast a gloom over the rest of his life. At length, having taken the "royal city" (or the "city of waters," 2 Sam. 12:27, i.e., the lower city on the river, as distinguished from the citadel), Joab sent for David to direct the final assault (11:1; 12:26-31). The city was given up to plunder, and the people were ruthlessly put to death, and "thus did he with all the cities of the children of Ammon." The destruction of Rabbath was the last of David's conquests. His kingdom now reached its farthest limits (2 Sam. 8:1-15; 1 Chr. 18:1-15). The capture of this city is referred to by Amos (1:14), Jeremiah (49:2, 3), and Ezekiel (21:20; 25:5). (2.) A city in the hill country of Judah (Josh. 15:60), possibly the ruin Rubba, six miles NE of Beit-Jibrin.

rabbah in Smith's Bible Dictionary

(great). 1. A very strong place on the east of the Jordan, and the chief city of the Ammonites. In five passages -- #De 3:11; 2Sa 12:26; 17:27; Jer 49:2; Eze 21:20| --it is styled at length Rabbath of the Ammonites, or the children of Ammon; but elsewhere, #Jos 13:25; 2Sa 11:1; 12:27,29; 1Ch 20:1; Jer 49:3| simply Rabbah. When first named it is mentioned as containing the bed or sarcophagus of the giant Og. #De 3:11| David sent Joab to besiege Rabbah. #2Sa 11:1,17| etc. Joab succeeded in capturing a portion of the place --the "city of waters," that is, the lower town so called from its containing the perennial stream which rises in and still flows through it. The citadel still remained to be taken, but this was secured shortly after David's arrival. #2Sa 12:26-31| Long after, at the date of the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar, #Jer 49:2,3| it had walls and palaces. It is named in such terms as to imply that it was of equal importance with Jerusalem. #Eze 21:20| From Ptolemy Philadelphus (B.C. 285-247) it received the name of Philadelphia. It was one of the cities of the Decapolis, and became the seat of a Christian bishop. Its ruins, which are considerable are found at Ammon about 22 miles from the Jordan. It lies in a valley which is a branch, or perhaps the main course, of the Wady Zerka usually identified with the Jabbok. The public buildings are said to be Roman, except the citadel, which is described as of large square stones put together without cement, and which is probably more ancient than the rest. 2. A city of Judah named with Kirjath-jearim in #Jos 15:60| only. No trace of its existence has yet been discovered.

rabbah in Schaff's Bible Dictionary

RAB'BAH (greatness). 1. The chief city and capital of the Ammonites. Jos 13:25. Its full name is "Rabbath of the children of Ammon." Deut 3:11. It is also called "Rabbath of the Ammonites." Eze 21:20. Greek and Roman writers call it "Philadelphia," a name given by Ptolemy Philadelphus, by whom it was rebuilt. Its modern name is Amman. Rabbath was situated in the valley of the upper Jabbok and between two mountains, about 22 miles east of the Jordan, 14 miles north-east of Heshbon, and 19 miles south-east of Es Salt. History. - Rabbah is first mentioned as the place of the "bed," or sarcophagus of Og, king of Bashan. Deut 3:11 Joab besieged it, and, by order of David Uriah was here slain. 2 Sam 11:1-17 Joab took the "city of waters" - that is probably, the lower city, through which the stream flowed - while the citadel held out until David came with reinforcements. 2 Sam 12:26-31; 1 Chr 20:1-3. Afterward, when David fled from Jerusalem to Mahanaim, a citizen of Rabbah gave him provisions. 2 Sam 17:27-29. At a later period the Ammonites regained their independence, but the overthrow of Rabbah was predicted. Jer 49:23; Eze 21:20; Eze 25:5; Am 1:14. Under the Ptolemies it continued to be a city of importance, having a garrison for repelling the attacks of Bedouins and it supplied water for travellers across the desert. In N.T. times Rabbah was one of the cities of Decapolis, under the name of "Philadelphia," and it continued as an important town until the fourth century, being the seat of a Christian bishopric; it was finally overthrown by the Saracens. Earthquakes have contributed to its ruin. Present Appearance. - The ruins of Rabbah are among the most imposing on the east side of the Jordan. Among them are those of a theatre - the largest known in Syria - capable of holding 6000 spectators, a smaller theatre, or odeum, baths, a beautiful Grecian temple, large basilicas, or Greek churches, a vast public building with arches still standing, and the citadel on a hill; the remarkable ruins are strewn over a space of several acres. Most of them, however, belong to the Graeco-Roman period. A paved Roman street is quite perfect, the wheel-ruts being distinctly visible. Eight Corinthian columns of the theatre remain. The coins of the city bear the image of Astarte and the word "Heracleion," from "Hercules," the idol which followed Moloch. Immense flocks and herds of the Arabs come to Rabbah for water and for shelter from the noonday heat, giving to the place the appearance and odor of a farm-yard, strikingly fulfilling the prophecy, "I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couching-place for flocks." Eze 25:4-5. 1. A town of Judah in the hill-country, noticed with Kirjath-jearim. Jos 15:60. Conder suggests that it may be identified with the present ruin Rubba, in the hills near Beit Jibrin.

rabbah in Fausset's Bible Dictionary

("greatness of size or numbers".) 1. Ammon's chief city, its only city named in Scripture, in contrast to the more civilized Moab's numerous cities (Deuteronomy 3:11; 2 Samuel 12:26; 2 Samuel 17:27; Jeremiah 49:2; Ezekiel 21:20). (See AMMON.) Conjectured to be the Ham of the Zuzim (Genesis 14:5). After Hanun's insult Abishai and Joab defeated the allies Ammon and the Syrians of Bethrehob, Zoba, Ishtob, and Maachah (2 Samuel 10). The following year David in person defeated the Syrians at Helam. Next, Joab with the whole army and the king's bodyguard (including Uriah: 2 Samuel 23:39) besieged Ammon (2 Samuel 11; 1 Chronicles 19; 20). The ark apparently accompanied the camp (2 Samuel 11:11), a rare occurrence (1 Samuel 4:3-6); but perhaps what is meant is only that the ark at Jerusalem was "in a tent" (2 Samuel 7:2; 2 Samuel 7:6) as was the army at Rabbah under Jehovah the Lord of the ark, therefore Uriah would not go home to his house. The siege lasted nearly two years, from David's first connection with Bathsheba to the birth of Solomon. The Ammonites made unsuccessful sallies (2 Samuel 11:17). Joab finally took the lower town, which, from the stream rising in it and flowing through it perennially, is called "the city of waters," and from the king's palace "the royal city." Then in a characteristic speech, half jest half earnest (2 Samuel 12:28, compare 2 Samuel 19:6-7), which shows the power he had gained over David through David's secret and wicked commission (2 Samuel 11:14-15), he invited David to crown the capture by taking the citadel lest if he (Joab) took it, it should be called after his name. Josephus (Ant. 7:7, section 5) says the fortress had but one well, inadequate to supply the wants of its crowded occupants. (On its capture by David, and his putting the people under saws and harrows to cut them in pieces in retaliation for their cruelties, see DAVID, also Judges 1:7; 1 Samuel 11:2.) Amos (Amos 1:14) speaks of its "wall" and "palaces" and "king" (perhaps Moloch) about to be judged by God. So also Jeremiah 49:2-3. Nebuchadnezzar attacked Ammon because of Baalis their king having instigated Ishmael to slay Gedaliah the Chaldaean governor (Jeremiah 40:14). See 1 Maccabees 5:6 as to subsequent judgments on Ammon. Ezekiel (Ezekiel 21:20) depicts Nebuchadnezzar's divination to decide whether he should attack Jerusalem or Rabbah the first. Jerusalem's fall should be followed by that of Rabbah (compare Josephus, Ant. 10:9, section 7). Under the Ptolemies Rabbah still continued of importance as supplying water for the journey across the desert, and was made a garrison for repelling the Bedouins of that quarter. Ptolemy Philadelphus named it Philadelphia. Josephus (B. J. 3:3, section 3) includes Rabbah in Decapolis. Now Amman, on a tributary (Moiet Amman) of the Zerka river (Jabbok), 19 miles S.E. of Es Salt ("Ramoth Gilead"), 22 E. of Jordan. Its temple, theater, and forum are remarkable ruins. Eight Corinthian columns of the theater (the largest known in Syria) remain. It has become as foretold "a stable for camels, a couching place for flocks a desolate heap" (Ezekiel 25:5). Its coins bear the image of Astarte, and the word Heracleion from Hercules the idol which succeeded Moloch. The large square stones of the citadel are put together without cement, the massive walls are evidently very ancient. 2. Rabbah of Moab, called in the Bible Ar, in the highlands S.E. of the Dead Sea. 3. Rabbah of Judah, near Kirjath Jearim (Joshua 15:60).