אַרְנוֹן (ar.non)
ar.non
Arnon
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 23 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Arnon identifies a significant river and valley in southern Palestine, located east of the Jordan River. Its Hebrew root relates to the idea of rushing or roaring water, reflecting the character of the stream itself. In biblical geography, it serves as a clear boundary marker, separating the territory of Moab to the south from that of the Amorites to the north.
This natural border appears frequently in historical and prophetic texts, including Numbers, Deuteronomy, Judges, and Isaiah. The sources highlight its role in defining the extent of Israel’s conquests under Moses and later kings. For instance, the book of Isaiah references the Arnon when describing the fate of Moab, using the river as a geographic anchor for judgment.
Translators consistently render this proper noun as "Arnon," preserving its identity across languages. The word carries no abstract theological meaning but grounds narrative in real terrain. Its presence reminds readers that ancient conflicts and covenants unfolded in specific places, with rivers like the Arnon shaping borders and memory.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Arnon refers to a specific river valley in ancient Israel, acting as a clear boundary between Moab and the Amorites. Its root suggests rushing water, mirroring how it served as a natural border during Israel’s journey through the wilderness. This geographic marker appears frequently in historical records, showing that God’s promises were fulfilled in real places with tangible landmarks.
For your faith, this word reminds us that divine guidance is not abstract but grounded in history. When you read about the Arnon, remember that the same God who directed Israel’s steps across these valleys knows your current path. The certainty of those ancient borders points to the reliability of His word today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 23 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Arnon17×
- [the] Arnon3×
- from/ [the] Arnon2×
- of/ Arnon1×
- from/ Arnon1×
- at/ [the] Arnon1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אַרְנוֹן֙3×
- אַרְנֹ֔ן3×
- אַרְנ֜וֹן3×
- אַרְנֹֽן\׃2×
- מֵֽ/אַרְנוֹן֙1×
- מֵֽ/אַרְנֹ֗ן1×
- מֵ/אַרְנ֥וֹן1×
- לְ/אַרְנֽוֹן\׃1×
- בְ/אַרְנ֔וֹן1×
- אַרְנֽוֹן\׃1×
- אַרְנֹן֒1×
- אַרְנֹ֜ן1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 21:13
From there they traveled, and encamped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that comes out of the border of the Amorites; for the Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.
This verse establishes the Arnon as the definitive border between Moab and the Amorites, marking the limit of Israel's initial conquest.
-
Deuteronomy 2:24
“Rise up, take your journey, and pass over the valley of the Arnon. Behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land; begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.
Here God commands Moses to cross the valley, linking the physical landscape directly to divine instruction for battle.
-
Isaiah 16:2
For it will be that as wandering birds, as a scattered nest, so will the daughters of Moab be at the fords of the Arnon.
The prophet uses the river's fords as a setting to describe the vulnerability and scattering of Moab's people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Arnon mean?
Why is the Arnon important in the Bible?
Does Arnon have a spiritual meaning beyond geography?
Every Occurrence (23 verses across 7 books)
Numbers 6 verses
From there they traveled, and encamped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that comes out of the…
Numbers 21:14Therefore it is said in The Book of the Wars of Yahweh, “Vaheb in Suphah, the valleys of the Arnon,
Numbers 21:24Israel struck him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, even to the children…
Numbers 21:26For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken…
Numbers 21:28for a fire has gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon. It has devoured Ar of Moab, The lords of the high…
Numbers 22:36When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him to the City of Moab, which is on the border of the…