A Levitical town in the territory of Reuben, assigned to the clan of Merari; later occupied by Moab.
About Jahaz
Town east of the Dead Sea (in modern Jordan) where the Israelites defeated Sihon, king of the Amorites, when he refused to permit them to pass through his land (Nm 21:23; Dt 2:32; Jgs 11:20). According to Joshua 13:18, Moses gave the town to Reuben’s tribe as part of its allotment. The town with its surrounding pasturelands was given to the Merarite Levites (Jos 21:36; 1 Chr 6:78).
In later times, in prophetic oracles by both Isaiah (Is 15:4) and Jeremiah (Jer 48:21), it is referred to as a city in the land of Moab. This may indicate that it was taken from Israel by Moab (to whom it apparently belonged before Sihon conquered it). The town is mentioned on the Moabite Stone (known as the Dibon Stele and dating to c. 845 BC) as the place where Mesha, king of Moab, had lived while at war with Israel. According to Mesha, he took Jahaz from Israel and added it to his own territory.
Key References
Judgment has come upon the high plain—upon Holon, Jahzah, and Mephaath,
But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. Instead, he gathered his whole army and went out to confront Israel in the wilderness. When he came to Jahaz, he fought against Israel.
Heshbon and Elealeh cry out; their voices are heard as far as Jahaz. Therefore the soldiers of Moab cry out; their souls tremble within.
All Scripture References (9)
Numbers (1)
But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. Instead, he gathered his whole army and went out to confront Israel in the wilderness. When he came to Jahaz, he fought against Israel.
Deuteronomy (1)
So Sihon and his whole army came out for battle against us at Jahaz.
Joshua (2)
Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath,
From the tribe of Reuben they were given Bezer, Jahaz,
Judges (1)
But Sihon would not trust Israel to pass through his territory. So he gathered all his people, encamped in Jahaz, and fought with Israel.
1 Chronicles (1)
The Merarites, according to their clans, were allotted twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
Isaiah (1)
Heshbon and Elealeh cry out; their voices are heard as far as Jahaz. Therefore the soldiers of Moab cry out; their souls tremble within.
Jeremiah (2)
Judgment has come upon the high plain—upon Holon, Jahzah, and Mephaath,
There is a cry from Heshbon to Elealeh; they raise their voices to Jahaz, from Zoar to Horonaim and Eglath-shelishiyah; for even the waters of Nimrim have dried up.