Original Word: אַרְגֹּב
Part of Speech: proper name; location; masculine
Transliteration: Argob
Pronunciation: ar-GOHV
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-gobe')
KJV: Argob
Word Origin: [from the same as H7263 (רֶגֶב - clods)]

1. stony
2. Argob, a district of Israel

Argob

From the same as regeb; stony; Argob, a district of Palestine -- Argob.

see HEBREW regeb

אַרְגֹּב proper name

1. location (heap, or region of clods; 'glede' GASm^G551); — always ׳חֶבֶל א Deuteronomy 3:4,14; 1 Kings 4:13, ׳הָא ׳ח Deuteronomy 3:13; = measured region of Argob; some well-defined district of Bashan (apparently identification with חַוֺת יָאִיר Deuteronomy 3:14 [where ׳י ׳ח in Bashan, so Joshua 13:30], but this a harmonistic correction; ׳י ׳ח in fact in Gilead [Numbers 32:41; Judges 10:4, and distinguished from אַרְגֹּב 1 Kings 4:13 compare Deuteronomy 3:13); exact location dubious, GASm^{l.c. and} especially Dr^{Deuteronomy 3:4}; Buhl^Geogr.18 thinks of ‚uwet, south of Upper Yarmuk, a border district between Bashan and Gilead. — Αρσοβ; 1 Kings 4:13 Ερεβαταμ, ᵐ5^L Πασαβαν, A Ερσαβ.

2. masculine 2 Kings 15:25, Αρσοβ dubious; see Klo Kit Benz Bur.

Argob

Geographical Setting

Argob denotes a rugged volcanic plateau east of the Jordan River, forming part of the ancient kingdom of Bashan. Modern explorers identify the region with the Lejah (Arabic) or Trachonitis (Greek) in southern Syria, a maze of black basalt outcrops, caves, and narrow defiles naturally fortified by its terrain. The land’s very name evokes “heap of stones” or “stony region,” matching both the topography and the biblical portrayal of impregnable strongholds.

Biblical Narrative

1. Conquest under Moses

Deuteronomy 3 records Israel’s dramatic victory over King Og of Bashan. “At that time we captured all sixty of his cities, the whole region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan” (Deuteronomy 3:4). The inspired emphasis on sixty walled towns, “with high walls, gates, and bars” (verse 5), magnifies the Lord’s power in granting triumph over seemingly invincible defenses.

2. Allotment to Jair of Manasseh

Following the conquest, Moses assigned Argob to Jair, descendant of Manasseh. “Jair son of Manasseh captured the whole region of Argob… and called it Havvoth Jair after himself” (Deuteronomy 3:14). The district thus became a notable possession of the eastern half-tribe of Manasseh, fulfilling the patriarchal promise of land beyond the Jordan.

3. Administrative District under Solomon

During Solomon’s reign, Argob formed part of one of the twelve commissariat districts providing food for the royal court. Ben-geber was placed “in Ramoth-gilead (to him belonged the villages of Jair son of Manasseh in Gilead, as well as the region of Argob in Bashan—sixty great cities with walls and bronze bars)” (1 Kings 4:13, paraphrased from). The verse confirms that centuries after Moses, the fortified towns were still standing and economically productive.

4. A Man Named Argob

In 2 Kings 15:25, Argob appears as a personal name: one of two royal officials assassinated by Pekah during his coup against Pekahiah of Israel. The narrative contrasts the stability of Argob’s land with the political turmoil in the Northern Kingdom.

Historical Background

Archaeological surveys of the Lejah document hundreds of basalt blockhouses and walled enclosures, many with massive monolithic doors—tangible reminders of the “bronze bars” noted in Scripture. Classical writers (Josephus, Eusebius) speak of the region’s labyrinthine rocks, supporting the biblical description of sixty fortified cities within a compact area of roughly thirty miles by twenty.

Theological and Ministry Insights

• Divine Faithfulness: The capture and settlement of Argob showcase God’s fidelity to Abrahamic promises (Genesis 15:18-21). What appeared humanly impossible—overcoming sixty citadels—became reality through obedience.
• Spiritual Strongholds: Argob’s basalt bastions illustrate the spiritual strongholds believers face (2 Corinthians 10:4). Just as Israel toppled fortifications by God’s power, Christ’s disciples rely on divine weapons to demolish arguments raised against the knowledge of God.
• Stewardship and Service: Solomon’s use of Argob in feeding the royal household models administrative wisdom. Ministries today likewise depend on orderly stewardship of resources entrusted by God.

Archaeological and Extra-Biblical Correlations

Basalt architecture, cisterns carved into lava flows, and inscriptions dating back to the Early Iron Age corroborate a dense population during the period of the Judges and Monarchy. Greek and Roman records later call the area Trachonitis, still famed for its impenetrable rocks, echoing the biblical memory of “great cities with walls and bronze bars.”

Key References

Deuteronomy 3:4; Deuteronomy 3:13-14; 1 Kings 4:13; 2 Kings 15:25

אַרְגֹּ֔ב אַרְגֹּ֣ב אַרְגֹּב֙ ארגב הָֽאַרְגֹּב֙ הארגב ’ar·gōḇ ’argōḇ arGo hā’argōḇ hā·’ar·gōḇ haarGoInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts