Moab

Part of speech: noun, proper noun

Definitions

1. An ancient kingdom located east of the Jordan River, mentioned in historical and biblical texts; a geographic region known for its historical and archaeological significance; a term occasionally used to refer to the descendants or culture of that area
2. A historical territory east of the Jordan recognized from ancient records and scripture; a geographical area noted for its cultural and historical heritage; the name associated with the people and civilization from that location
3. An ancient land east of the Jordan River, referenced in religious and historical sources; a region distinguished by its archaeological remains and cultural history; a designation for the population and society that inhabited that zone

Etymology: Moab is a proper noun for a small kingdom east of the Dead Sea, in what is now Jordan. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, where Moab was a neighbour and frequent rival of ancient Israel. Its people were traditionally traced to Lot's elder daughter, a folk tradition recorded in Genesis, which is one reason the name became tied so closely to a whole people rather than just a place. The name's original meaning is debated. Scholars have proposed derivations connected to a Semitic word for "father" or to a word meaning "from the father," and the etymology remains uncertain. What is clear is that the name was used both for the land and for its inhabitants, so that "Moabites" became the usual term for the people while "Moab" referred to the territory.

Synonyms: ancient kingdom, biblical region