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Chief city of Sihon king of the Amorites. Lying on the east of the Jordan, it was the first city of importance that fell into the hands of the Israelites. The cause of their attacking it was that Sihon refused to let them pass through his land. This initial conquest is often referred to. Heshbon was subsequently assigned to Reuben, but became a Levitical city in connection with Gad. Num. 21: 25-34; Deut. 2: 24-30; Joshua 13: 17-27; 1 Chr. 6: 81. After the captivity it fell into the hands of the Moabites; and is denounced in the prophets. Isa. 15: 4; Jer. 48: 2, 34, 45; Jer. 49: 3. Identified with Hesban, . There are extensive ruins showing its former strength as a fortified city.