Rabbath-Moab

RABBATH-MOAB, or Rabbath of the Children of Moab, the capital City of the Moabites, call’d otherwise Rabbat-Moba, Ar, Areopolis, Ariel of Moab, Kir-heres, or the City with Brick Walls. Clamabo ad viros muri fictilis, says Jeremiah. This City lay upon the River Arnon, by which it was divided into two ; whence it is, that in the Books of Kings it is call’d the two Ariels of Moab, or the two Lions of Moab, in allusion to its Name Ar or Arie, signifying a Lion. This City has gone thro’ a great Variety of Revolutions, and the Prophets have often threaten’d it with great Misfortunes. The Kings of Judah, Israel, and Edom once laying Siege to it, when the King 2 Kings iii. 5, 6, 7, &c.of Moab saw he must fall into the Enemies Hands, he took his eldest Son, and was going to sacrifice him to his Gods. But this excited such an Abhorrence or Compassion in the Kings without the City, that they drew off, and broke up the Siege. We have already spoken of this City under the Article AR. The Romans generally kept a Garrison at Areopolis, because of the Importance of this Pass over the Arnon. See the antient Notitia, and Eusebius and St. Jerome upon the Word ARNON.

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