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Arnon

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A river forming the northern boundary of Moab, frequently mentioned in Israel’s wilderness journey.

Detailed Definition
The Arnon appears in Numbers and Deuteronomy as a landmark of transition and divine provision. In poetry, it symbolizes thresholds, divine guidance through desolation, and the fluid boundary between wilderness and promise, often evoking themes of passage and renewal.
Example
Example in poetry:
Arnon—boundary river of Moab—inspires geographical poetry: “The Arnon carved a line in stone: here ends Israel, here begins exile”; A lament from the wilderness: “We camped by Arnon’s banks, singing songs of Edom’s refusal”; In a prophetic oracle: “Moab’s pride will drown in Arnon’s current, as Isaiah foretold”; Modern verse: “Every Arnon in our life marks a border God says: ‘Do not cross.’”
Additional Notes
The Arnon River (Numbers 21:13–26) marked Moab’s northern border and was the site of Israelite victories and poetic celebration (e.g., the Song of the Well, Numbers 21:17–18). Its mention in prophetic oracles (Isaiah 15–16) ties it to Moabite lament. In poetry, Arnon symbolizes thresholds, divine provision in desolation, and the voice of the land itself bearing witness to history.
Also Known As
Wadi Arnon
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