Sihon

From BibleEncyclopedia.Net

sī´hon (סיחון, ṣīḥōn, "striking down"):

(1) King of the Amorites, who vainly opposed Israel on their journey from Egypt to Palestine, and who is frequently mentioned in the historical books and in the Psalms because of his prominence and as a warning for those who rise against Yahweh and His people (Numbers 21:21, and often; Deuteronomy 1:4; Deuteronomy 31:4; Joshua 2:10; Judges 11:19, Judges 11:20, Judges 11:21; 1 Kings 4:19; Nehemiah 9:22; Psalm 135:11; Psalm 136:19; Jeremiah 48:45).

(2) The whole country on the east of Jordan, from the Arnon to the Jabbok, was possessed by the Amorites, whose king, Sihon, refused to permit the Israelites to pass through his territory, and put his army in array against them. The Israelites went forth against him to battle, and gained a complete victory. The Amorites were defeated; Sihon, his sons, and all his people were smitten with the sword, his walled towns were captured, and the entire country of the Amorites was taken possession of by the Israelites (Numbers 21:21-30; Deuteronomy 2:24-37).

The country from the Jabbok to Hermon was at this time ruled by Og, the last of the Rephaim. He also tried to prevent the progress of the Israelites, but was utterly routed, and all his cities and territory fell into the hands of the Israelites (compare Numbers 21:33-35; Deuteronomy 3:1-14; Psalm 135:10-12; Psalm 136:17-22).

These two victories gave the Israelites possession of the country on the east of Jordan, from the Arnon to the foot of Hermon.

The kingdom of Sihon embraced about 1,500 square miles, while that of Og was more than 3,000 square miles.