Nebo
Who they were
Nebo is the name of a Babylonian deity mentioned in Isaiah 46:1, as well as a mountain in Moab where Moses viewed the Promised Land before his death (Deu.32.49; 34:1).
In the Babylonian pantheon, Nebo was the god of wisdom, writing, and prophecy. He was the son of Marduk, the chief god of Babylon, and his worship was centered in the ancient city of Borsippa. The name "Nebo" appears as an element in the names of several prominent Babylonian kings, indicating his importance in their religious and cultural life.
The biblical reference to Nebo in Isaiah 46:1 occurs in the context of a prophecy against Babylon, where the gods Bel and Nebo are depicted as being humiliated and carried away into captivity. This passage emphasizes the futility of trusting in false gods and the superiority of the Lord, the God of Israel.
Mount Nebo, located in Moab, is the place where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land before his death (Deu.32.49; 34:1). The mountain is part of the Abarim range and is situated near the northeastern end of the Dead Sea. From its summit, one can see the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and the hills of Jerusalem on a clear day.
According to the biblical account, Moses ascended Mount Nebo at the end of his life, and the Lord showed him the land that He had promised to give to the Israelites (Deu.34.1-4). After viewing the land, Moses died on the mountain, and God buried him in an unknown location in the valley (Deu.34.5-6).
The name "Nebo" also appears in the Bible as a town in Moab (Numbers 32:3, 38) and as a personal name (Ezra 2:29; 10:43; Nehemiah 7:33).
Every mention
Isaiah 1 mention
What the dictionary says
Proclaimer; prophet.
Sources
- STEPBible TIPNR · Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References · CC BY 4.0 · github.com/STEPBible/STEPBible-Data
- Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary (1869) · Public domain