What is sihon?

Sihon was a powerful Amorite king who reigned in the region of Heshbon, located in modern-day Jordan, during the 15th century BCE. He is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as a powerful and aggressive ruler who resisted the Israelite incursion into the Promised Land.

Sihon is described as the king of the Amorites who refused to allow the Israelites to pass through his territory on their journey to the Promised Land. The Israelites, led by Moses, defeated Sihon in battle and took possession of his land, including the city of Heshbon.

The conquest of Sihon's kingdom is seen as a pivotal moment in Israelite history, signaling their emergence as a powerful nation and their eventual settlement in the land of Canaan. Sihon's defeat is recounted in the biblical books of Numbers and Deuteronomy.

According to archaeological evidence, Sihon’s kingdom in the region of Heshbon was a significant political and military power during the Late Bronze Age. The city of Heshbon was a major urban center with impressive defensive walls, palaces, and temples.

Overall, Sihon is depicted as a ruthless and formidable ruler in the Hebrew Bible, whose defeat at the hands of the Israelites marked a turning point in their journey to establish a homeland in Canaan.