It lay along the eastern shores of the Dead Sea, and was a land of lofty mountains and fertile river-plains.

Its wadis were coveted by the tribes of the desert; the well-watered valley of the Arnon attracted more powerful foes.

When the Israelites encamped in "the plain of Moab," Balak, the Moabite king, sent in terror to Balaam, the seer of Pethor.

He had indeed cause for alarm.

The Amorites had already robbed him of the fairest portion of his dominions; Moab north of the Arnon had fallen into their hands.