Explore the kingdoms, city-states, and peoples whose histories intersected with Israel and the Bible.
Moab
kingdom
An ancient kingdom east of the Dead Sea, Moab was closely connected with Israel through family traditions, warfare, trade, and religion. Its history is illuminated by the famous Mesha Stele.
Edom
kingdom
Edom was a kingdom southeast of the Dead Sea, traditionally associated with Esau. Its history includes conflict and trade with Israel and Judah, important copper-producing regions, and the later emergence of Idumea.
Ammon
kingdom
Ammon was an ancient kingdom east of the Jordan River, centered on Rabbath-Ammon. Its history includes conflicts with Israel and Judah, a distinctive religious culture, and important archaeological inscriptions.
Philistia
city state group
Philistia was a region of five major city-states along the southern Mediterranean coast. The Philistines played a central role in the biblical histories of Samson, Samuel, Saul, and David.
Aram-Damascus
kingdom
Aram-Damascus was a powerful Aramean kingdom centered on Damascus. Its kings fought repeated wars with Israel and Judah before Assyria conquered the kingdom in 732 BC.
Geshur
kingdom
A small kingdom northeast of the Sea of Galilee, Geshur is best known as the homeland of David’s wife Maacah and the refuge of their son Absalom.
Biblical Kingdoms and Territories
The biblical world included many neighboring kingdoms and peoples whose stories intersected with Israel and Judah.
These records explain their geography, rulers, history, and appearances in Scripture.
Historical dates and political boundaries are sometimes uncertain; the individual entries explain those limitations.