1. The fortified capital of the Ammonites. It was not included in the cities taken by the tribes on the east of the Jordan (Deut. 3:11; Josh. 13:25). Joab, however, attacked it, and, during its siege, Uriah, by the instigation of David, lost his life. The city was eventually taken and destroyed (2 Sam. 11:1; 2 Sam. 12:26-29; 2 Sam. 17:27; 1 Chron. 20:1). Subsequently, when the strength of Israel was broken, it appears to have recovered itself, for we find its doom announced in the prophets (Jer. 49:2-3; Ezek. 21:20; Ezek. 25:5; Amos 1:14). Identified with Amman, 31° 57' N, 35° 57' E. There are many ruins on the site, but they are judged to belong to the Roman period, when a city, called Philadelphia, was built there. A stream rises in the midst of the city, and this fact, together with its being the last place to obtain water for crossing the desert, doubtless was the cause of its being called “the city of waters.”
2. City of Judah, near Kirjath-jearim (Josh. 15:60). Identified by some with ruins at Rubba, 31° 40' N, 34° 58' E.