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DIBON

(Heb. dîḇôn)

1. An important city located on the King’s Highway in central Transjordan. Dibon is generally identified with the mound of ruins N of the modern village of Dhībān (224101), 64 km. (40 mi.) S of Amman and 3 km. (2 mi.) N of Wadi el-Mōjib (biblical Arnon). Egyptologist Kenneth A. Kitchen argues that an Egyptian equivalent for Dibon (Tibunu) appears in Egyptian inscriptions from the time of Rameses II. The name also appears in the Mesha inscription found at Dhībān.

According to the biblical evidence Dibon was originally a Moabite city which was subsequently taken over, first by the Amorites and then the Israelites when the latter conquered Sihon of Heshbon (Num. 21:26; 32:3-5). Although Dibon was assigned to the tribe of Reuben (Josh. 13:9, 17), it appears that the city was ultimately rebuilt by Gad and renamed Dibon-gad (Num. 32:34; 33:45-46; Mesha 10-11). During the time of the Divided Monarchy, Mesha of Moab successfully broke away from Israelite control and restored Dibon as a Moabite city (Isa. 15:2; Jer. 48:18, 22; Mesha 21, 28).

Excavations have so far revealed occupation during the Early Bronze Age II-IV, Iron Age II, Nabatean, Roman, Byzantine, and Arab periods. From EB II-IV a few segments of walls from a possible defensive system have been uncovered. At least two phases of an Iron II settlement have been reported: important finds include a gateway, large circular grain silos, a large public building (the “palace”), a “sanctuary” in which were found pieces of an Iron I incense stand and two fertility figurines, various towers, and a casemate wall. It is from the Iron II period that the Mesha stela dates. Nothing has yet been found from the Middle Bronze or Late Bronze Ages.

Randall W. Younker

2. A town in the Negeb of Judah, toward the eastern border between Hebron and Jekabzeel, reoccupied following the Exile (Neh. 11:25). It may be the same as Dimonah (Josh. 15:22).

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DIBON

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)