Jogbehah

Jogbehah is a town in Transjordan associated with the tribe of Gad. It appears once in the settlement list of Numbers and once as a landmark on Gideon's pursuit of the Midianites — the same eastern hill country, viewed first as Gadite territory and then as a route for surprise attack against a tent-dwelling enemy.

Settled by Gad

When the tribe of Gad receives its allotment east of the Jordan, the settlement list names Jogbehah among its cities: "and Atrothshophan, and Jazer, and Jogbehah" (Num 32:35). It belongs to the cluster of towns the Gadites build or rebuild as their inheritance.

On Gideon's Pursuit Route

In the Midianite campaign, Jogbehah marks one of the landmarks Gideon uses to outflank the enemy: "And Gideon went up by the way of those who stayed in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and struck the host; for the host was secure" (Judg 8:11). Gideon takes the route past these tent-dwelling settlements east of the town and falls on a Midianite force that thought itself safe. The town's geography — east, off the main road — is what makes the surprise possible.