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Moab

Illustration of Moab

Moab emerged from the lineage of Lot, Abraham's nephew, whose descendants settled east of the Dead Sea after the judgment on Sodom. This land became the setting for Ruth's faithful journey to Bethlehem, through which a Moabite woman entered the line leading to David and the promised Messiah. Later it offered David a place of refuge for his parents during his flight from Saul, illustrating how God wove even foreign soil into the redemptive purposes centered on Israel.

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Details

Region
Transjordan
Modern Location
Southwestern Jordan, east of the Dead Sea
Strongest connections in Scripture

Journey Paths

Orpah's Journey

Moab โ†’ Bethlehem

Key Passages

Origin of Moab

Genesis 19:37

Moab originated as the son of Lot through his eldest daughter.

A37nd the first born bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day.

Ruth from Moab

Ruth 1:1-2

Elimelech's family from Bethlehem sojourned in Moab during a famine, leading to Ruth's story.

N1ow it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

David's refuge in Moab

1 Samuel 22:3-4

David sent his parents to stay with the king of Moab for safety from Saul.

A3nd David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me.

4 And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.