דִּיבֹן, דִּימוֹן (di.von)
di.von
Dibon
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Dibon appears in the Hebrew Bible as a specific place: a town located in Moab on the eastern side of the Jordan River. The sources indicate its meaning is "wasting," which may reflect its history or condition at some point. It was initially taken over by the Israelites, specifically the tribe of Gad, who rebuilt and settled there (Numbers 32:34).
While it begins as a settlement in the conquest narratives, Dibon gains prominence later in prophetic literature. Jeremiah uses the city as a symbol of Moab’s pride and subsequent downfall. In Jeremiah 48:1-34, the prophet details judgments against this region, turning a geographic location into a theological warning about hubris. The name thus shifts from a simple toponym to a representative of national fate.
Its occurrence in eleven verses highlights its role as a marker of territorial boundaries and divine judgment. Translators consistently render it as Dibon, preserving the proper noun without attempting to translate the root meaning "wasting" in context. This keeps the focus on the historical reality of the city rather than allegorical interpretation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Dibon is a place name that appears in eleven verses of the Hebrew Bible, located in Moab east of the Jordan River. Its meaning, "wasting," reflects a history of conflict and eventual decline. Initially, the tribe of Gad rebuilt this town after its conquest (Numbers 32:34), turning it into a settled community. Later, prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah used Dibon as a symbol of Moab’s pride and subsequent downfall.
For your faith, this word reminds us that human strength and territorial gain are temporary. The city’s shift from a rebuilt settlement to a site of judgment shows how God uses history to teach humility. When we face challenges or see the rise and fall of nations, we can trust in God’s sovereignty over all earthly powers.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Dibon6×
- and/ Dibon2×
- from/ Dibon-1×
- at/ Dibon-1×
- and/ in/ Dibon1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- דִּיב֑וֹן2×
- מִ/דִּיבֹ֣ן1×
- וּ/בְ/דִיבֹן֙1×
- וְ/דִיבֹן֙1×
- וְ/דִיבֹ֛ן1×
- דִּיבוֹן֙1×
- דִּיבֽוֹן\׃1×
- דִּיבֹ֖ן1×
- דִּיב֣וֹן1×
- בְּ/דִיבֹ֥ן1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 32:34
The children of Gad built Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer,
This verse shows the tribe of Gad actively rebuilding Dibon, highlighting human effort to establish security in a conquered land.
-
Isaiah 15:2
They have gone up to Bayith, and to Dibon, to the high places, to weep. Moab wails over Nebo and over Medeba. Baldness is on all of their heads. Every beard is cut off.
Here, Dibon is a place of mourning where Moabites go to weep, illustrating the emotional weight of national judgment.
-
Jeremiah 48:18
“You daughter who dwells in Dibon, come down from your glory, and sit in thirst; for the destroyer of Moab has come up against you. He has destroyed your strongholds.
The prophet addresses Dibon directly as a personified city losing its glory, emphasizing the suddenness of divine judgment on pride.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Dibon mean?
Why is Dibon mentioned in prophetic books?
Who rebuilt Dibon after its conquest?
Every Occurrence (11 verses across 5 books)
Numbers 5 verses
We have shot at them. Heshbon has perished even to Dibon. We have laid waste even to Nophah, Which reaches to Medeba.”
Numbers 32:3“Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon,
Numbers 32:34The children of Gad built Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer,
Numbers 33:45They traveled from Iyim, and encamped in Dibon Gad.
Numbers 33:46They traveled from Dibon Gad, and encamped in Almon Diblathaim.