Moab
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Also known as Moabites · Moabite · The Moabites · The land of Moab · Modern Moab · Modern-day Moab · Modern Moabites · Modern-day Moabites · Antitypical Moab · Antitypical Moabites · Symbolic Moab
The earliest verified symbolic identification of Moab appeared in 1918 under Rutherford, when the Moabites, together with the Ammonites, were interpreted as a class produced by the Great Company and its worldly churches. A different interpretation emerged in 1925, when Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir collectively pictured the Devil's army. In 1926 and 1928 this was developed into a picture of the three elements of Satan's organization: profiteers, politicians, and preachers. In 1932 Moab was identified more specifically with proud, wealthy, influential, militaristic opponents of Jehovah's servants, while a contextual application of Ezekiel's prophecy associated the Moabites with non-Christian elements of Satan's organization; the latter was repeated in 1933. The collective application to Satan's hostile organization appeared again in 1938. In 1940–1941 Moab was identified principally with commercial and financial interests, including big business and military profiteering, though a 1940 application also associated Moab with commercial powers cooperating with professional religionists. Under Knorr, the commercial identification continued in 1942. In 1943–1944 Moab received a broader identification with Satan's organization as a whole, including the religious, commercial, and political interests of Christendom. In 1952 the modern Moabites were identified particularly as professing Christians opposed to true worship. In 1958, 1960, and 1971, Daniel 11:41 was interpreted as referring to hard-set enemies of spiritual Israel, associated with organizations that would escape the Communist king of the north. Under Franz, a 1984 application of Jehoshaphat's battle associated modern Moab and Ammon with the remaining political and militarized forces of Satan's world after the destruction of false religion. In 1988 the earlier Daniel 11:41 identification of Moab with enemies of spiritual Israel was repeated. Under the Governing Body, the interpretation of Daniel 11:41 was expressed differently in 1993 and 1999: Moab, Edom, and Ammon represented nations and organizations the king of the north had failed to bring under his influence. In 2000, an application of Isaiah 25:10-12 especially compared Moab with Christendom. No verified explicit identification of Moab as a prophetic type or antitype was found during Russell's presidency. The changes reflect both shifts in identification and differing applications of separate Biblical prophecies.
- Gen. 19:36-37
- Ruth 1:1-7
- Judg. 3:12-30
- 2 Ki. 3:4-27
- 2 Chron. 20:1-30
- Ps. 60:8
- Isa. 15:1–16:14
- Isa. 25:10-12
- Jer. 48:1-47
- Ezek. 25:8-11
- Zeph. 2:8-11
- Dan. 11:41
Key moments
- 1918 Introduced The Moabites and Ammonites were interpreted as a class produced by the Great Company, pictured by Lot, through its association with worldly churches, pictured by Lot's daughters. This class was associated with the non-Christian elements of Christendom.
- 1926 Refined The three enemy groups in Jehoshaphat's battle, including Moab, were identified with the three elements composing Satan's organization in modern times.
- 1928 Refined Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir collectively pictured Satan's organization, now described more precisely as consisting of profiteers, politicians, and preachers. The enemy coalition was also connected with the Devil's war against the anointed remnant.
- 1932 Refined The Moabites pictured proud, wealthy, influential, and militaristic enemies of Jehovah's servants. In the setting of Ruth's account, the modern Moabites were especially associated with prosperous and powerful people of Christendom who benefited from Satan's organization while God's people suffered persecution.
- 1940–1941 Narrowed Moab was identified specifically with the commercial and financial element of Satan's visible organization, especially commercial traffickers, big-business interests, and military-commercial powers within Christendom. This distinguished Moab from Ammon, which pictured the political ruling element.
- 1943–1944 Broadened Moab was interpreted more broadly as a symbol of Satan's organization as a whole. Its modern counterparts included religious, commercial, and political leaders who exploited religion. In the prophetic drama of Ruth and Naomi, antitypical Moab represented Satan's organization, including Christendom, from which faithful persons separated.
- 1952 Narrowed The modern Moabites were identified particularly with professing Christians who opposed Jehovah's Witnesses and whose conduct was described as contrary to genuine Christianity. Moab's lofty city was associated with a wealthy and powerful religious organization.
Russell
Charles Taze Russell · 1877–1916
No statement filed for this period.
Rutherford
Joseph F. Rutherford · 1917–1942
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The Moabites and Ammonites were interpreted as a class produced by the Great Company, pictured by Lot, through its association with worldly churches, pictured by Lot's daughters. This class was associated with the non-Christian elements of Christendom.
1 quote
The Ammonites (25:1‐7) and the Moabites (25:8‐11), both children of Lot — who was himself a type of the Great Company class — are a type of a class brought into being by their father, the Great Company class (Lot), while he was in a state of drunken stupor from mixed doctrines, through Lotʹs daughters, type of the worldly churches of the Great Company.
The Finished Mystery, 1918 -
In the prophetic picture of Jehoshaphat's battle, Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir collectively represented the Devil's army, which opposed God's faithful people and would be defeated through divine intervention.
1 quote
Jehoshaphat and the faithful Israelites represent the people of the Lord, while Moab, Ammon and mount Seir represent the devil’s army.
The Watchtower, July 15, 1925 -
The three enemy groups in Jehoshaphat's battle, including Moab, were identified with the three elements composing Satan's organization in modern times.
1 quote
This little company of faithful Christians will also call to mind how Jehoshaphat, a representative of the Lord, was beset by the armies of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, corresponding to the three elements composing Satan’s organization at the present time; and how the Lord put his hand over his own people and shielded them, while he drove the enemy’s army into destruction.
Deliverance, 1926 -
Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir collectively pictured Satan's organization, now described more precisely as consisting of profiteers, politicians, and preachers. The enemy coalition was also connected with the Devil's war against the anointed remnant.
2 quotes
There the peoples of Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir, the descendants of Esau, all fitly representing the Devil’s organization composed of the profiteers, politicians and preachers as it now appears, entered into a conspiracy to destroy the Israelites.
Government, 1928 They represented the Devil’s organization that now, under the leadership of the Dragon, goes forth “to make war with the remnant of her seed which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ”.
The Watchtower, September 1, 1928 -
The Moabites pictured proud, wealthy, influential, and militaristic enemies of Jehovah's servants. In the setting of Ruth's account, the modern Moabites were especially associated with prosperous and powerful people of Christendom who benefited from Satan's organization while God's people suffered persecution.
2 quotes
The Moabites therefore pictured a self-centered, boastful, arrogant class of people, relying upon military power and indulging in war, and the haters of those who served Jehovah God.
The Watchtower, September 15, 1932 Likewise, during the World War, the modern Moabites, namely, the rich and influential people of “Christendom” and the ones well favored by the Devil’s organization, had plenty of food and raiment and lived at ease.
Preservation, 1932 -
In the application of Ezekiel chapters 25–32, Moab was included among the non-Christian elements of Satan's visible organization. The Moabites particularly represented people who reproached God's servants and who were distinguished from professed Christian organizations.
3 quotes
The names considered in this chapter apply more specifically to those of earth who form a part of the Devil’s organization aside from the professed “Christian” element or who make prominent some other part of Satan’s visible organization.
Vindication, Books II–III, 1932 It seems certain that "organized Christianity” will come into greater disrepute amongst the peoples of earth, and then after the destruction of "organized Christianity” all persons who serve God in fact, or who claim to serve him, will be in disrepute in the minds of the class represented by the Moabites.
Vindication, Books II–III, 1932 Furthermore, after the destruction of “organized Christianity” all who serve God in fact or claim to serve him will be in disrepute in the minds of the class represented by the Moabites.
1933 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses -
Moab was again applied to Satan's hostile organization. In the drama of 2 Kings 3, the defeat of Moab pictured the defeat of the Devil's agents who had restricted God's people during World War I. In the battle of Jehoshaphat, Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir pictured the coordinated opposition of Satan's visible organization.
2 quotes
When the war ended Jehovah by and through Christ Jesus brought about the release of his people from such restriction and imprisonment, and that was a real defeat of the Devil and his agents pictured in this prophecy by the defeat of the Moabites in the battle described in 2 Kings 3:1-27 when Israel and Jehoshaphat made war against them.
The Watchtower, July 1, 1938 But it is the Devil’s organization, pictured by Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir, which attempts to take away from others freedom of thought, speech, and action, in worship.
The Watchtower, July 15, 1938 -
Moab was identified specifically with the commercial and financial element of Satan's visible organization, especially commercial traffickers, big-business interests, and military-commercial powers within Christendom. This distinguished Moab from Ammon, which pictured the political ruling element.
3 quotes
Jehovah therefore says to those who deny his existence: “Surely Moab [the antitypical Moabites, the commercial traffickers] shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon [the political ruling element] as Gomorrah.”
The Watchtower, June 1, 1940 The countries of Edom, Moab and Ammon no longer exist as independent nations, but are incorporated in Trans-Jordan under the British mandate. Whether that territory is invaded by “the king of the north” is not material; for the reason, the names Edom, Moab and Ammon are here used in the prophecy symbolically. “Moab” symbolizes the commercial or business element of “Christendom”.
The Watchtower, December 1, 1941 In the prophetic picture Moab represents the commercial big business and military elements of “Christendom”. There is never a war without the commercial element’s being at the fore and deeply interested therein; and therefore the Moabites here pictured that element that prosecutes war for revenge, for conquest, and for commercial gain, and which is one of the elements of the Devil’s organization.
The Watchtower, December 1, 1941 -
In the application involving Eglon, the king of Moab, the Moabites pictured a combination of commercial and financial powers with professional religionists who practiced religion for selfish gain.
1 quote
In modern times many who claim to be fully consecrated to the Lord continue to hold on to religious practices and to recognize and submit to men as the “higher powers”. Such become victims of big business, or commercial financial powers, who, together with those who practice religion as a profession, all adopt religion for selfish reasons, acting under the influence and power of the demons. This combination was pictured by the Moabites.
The Watchtower, September 15, 1940
Knorr
Nathan H. Knorr · 1942–1977
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The identification of Moab with profiteering commercial interests continued. Moab was distinguished from Edom, which pictured organized religion under the influence of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy.
1 quote
In the Bible symbolisms “Edom” pictures “organized religion”, under the dominance of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy; and “Moab” pictures the profiteering commercial element of the world.
The Watchtower, November 15, 1942 -
Moab was interpreted more broadly as a symbol of Satan's organization as a whole. Its modern counterparts included religious, commercial, and political leaders who exploited religion. In the prophetic drama of Ruth and Naomi, antitypical Moab represented Satan's organization, including Christendom, from which faithful persons separated.
3 quotes
Being a part of Satan’s organization and hence representing it, the religious nation of Moab became a symbol of Satan’s organization as a whole.
The Watchtower, October 1, 1943 Their counterparts today are the religionists of “Christendom", namely, the religious, commercial and political leaders who practice religion for selfish gain, making commerce out of religion.
The Watchtower, October 1, 1943 Naomi (her name means “my delight; gracious”) prefigured the original remnant who survived the temple judgment of Christ Jesus and who were brought forth as the “faithful and wise servant” class. No more was there any semblance of spiritual famine, as seemingly existed during the years of World War I. The Shepherd-King was providing an abundance of “bread”. The “Naomi” class began separating itself from antitypical Moab, Satan’s organization, including “Christendom”.
The Watchtower, November 15, 1944 -
The modern Moabites were identified particularly with professing Christians who opposed Jehovah's Witnesses and whose conduct was described as contrary to genuine Christianity. Moab's lofty city was associated with a wealthy and powerful religious organization.
1 quote
The modern-day Moabites are the professing Christians, whose words and actions are as far removed from Christianity and pure worship of Jehovah as Moab was removed from true worship and the covenant of Jehovah.
The Watchtower, October 1, 1952 -
In Daniel 11:41, symbolic Moab, Edom, and Ammon were interpreted as hard-set enemies of spiritual Israel, whose activities brought them into contact with Jehovah's sanctuary class. These modern organizations were expected to escape domination by the Communist king of the north because they were his allies or supporters, but they would ultimately face destruction at Armageddon. The same identification was repeated in 1960 and 1971.
5 quotes
For this reason they came under God’s condemnation. (Jeremiah 48:1 to 49:22; Ezekiel 25:1-14; 35:1-15, AS) Reasonably, then, they picture the hard-set enemies of Jehovah’s sanctuary class, his spiritual Israel, of today.
Your Will Be Done on Earth, 1958 These modern organizations would be delivered or would escape out of his hand, whereas many other “countries” or modern earthly organizations, institutions or situations would “be overthrown.”
Your Will Be Done on Earth, 1958 Hence as Edom, Moab and Ammon in ancient times bordered on the land of Jehovah’s people, so the symbolic Edom, Moab and Ammon of the prophecy must picture those whose lives touch upon and have to do with Jehovah’s sanctuary class of today.
The Watchtower, March 1, 1960 Ancient Edom, Moab and Ammon were long-time, unchanging enemies of Jehovah’s faithful people. For this reason they came under God’s condemnation. (Jer. 48:1 to 49:22; Ezek. 25:1-14; 35:1-15, AS) Reasonably, then, they picture the hard-set enemies of Jehovah’s sanctuary class, his spiritual Israel, of today.
The Watchtower, March 1, 1960 the inclusion of Moab at Daniel 11:41 […] is logically to be regarded in a figurative sense. Seemingly the Moabites represent hard-set enemies of spiritual Israel.
Aid to Bible Understanding, 1971
Franz
Frederick W. Franz · 1977–1992
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In the prophetic application of Jehoshaphat's battle, modern Ammon and Moab were identified with the hostile forces of Satan's world remaining after the destruction of Babylon the Great, particularly its religious component. The remaining political and militarized forces were expected to attack God's servants and ultimately turn against one another.
2 quotes
The modern-day Ammon and Moab remain! (Compare Revelation 18:9, 10, 15-17.) They are still intent on destroying the praisers of Jehovah, the Judeans of today. But it is Jehovah's time for execution of judgment. As Revelation 19:11-16 describes it, the King, Jesus Christ, will go forth to 'tread the winepress of the anger of the wrath of God the Almighty,' destroying the remaining parts of Satan's world system.
The Watchtower, July 1, 1984 At the height of that great battle, the crazed remnants of the political nations and their militarized cohorts will no doubt strike at one another with their weapons of annihilation.
The Watchtower, July 1, 1984 -
In Daniel 11:41, the Moabites were again interpreted as hard-set enemies of spiritual Israel. This repeated the basic identification expressed in 1958, 1960, and 1971 rather than the different contextual application of Jehoshaphat's battle in 1984.
1 quote
In view of the disappearance of the Moabites as a people, the inclusion of Moab at Daniel 11:41 among nations in "the time of the end" (Da 11:40) is logically to be regarded in a figurative sense. The Moabites evidently represent hard-set enemies of spiritual Israel.
Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2, 1988
Governing Body
1992–
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In Daniel 11:41, Moab, Edom, and Ammon collectively represented modern nations and organizations that the king of the north had targeted but failed to bring under his influence. Unlike the earlier identification with enemies of spiritual Israel, the stated criterion was their resistance to or escape from domination by the king of the north. The interpretation was repeated in 1999.
2 quotes
They can be taken to represent nations and organizations today that the king of the north targeted but was unable to bring under his influence.
The Watchtower, November 1, 1993 In modern times they represent nations and organizations that the king of the north targeted but was unable to bring under his influence.
Pay Attention to Daniel's Prophecy!, 1999 -
In the explanation of Isaiah 25:10-12, Moab was compared with the modern enemies of Jehovah's servants, especially Christendom. The comparison was based on Moab's pride, false worship, and opposition to God's covenant people.
2 quotes
In this, Moab is like the enemies of Jehovah's servants today. She is especially like Christendom, which claims to have roots in the first-century Christian congregation but which, as seen earlier, is the principal part of Babylon the Great.
Isaiah's Prophecy—Light for All Mankind, Volume I, 2000 She is especially like Christendom, which claims to have roots in the first-century Christian congregation but which, as seen earlier, is the principal part of Babylon the Great.
Isaiah's Prophecy—Light for All Mankind, Volume I, 2000 -
Moab’s history illustrated pressure from unbelieving relatives and the danger of compromising worship. The chapter supplied practical lessons without proposing a new fixed modern antitype.
1 quote
pressure from unbelieving relatives who encourage us to drop our guard.
Pure Worship of Jehovah—Restored At Last! (2018), chapter 7, pars. 11–12
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