The Moabites in the Bible were a people descended from Moab, the son of Lot by his eldest daughter, after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:37). They occupied the land east of the Dead Sea, in what is today central Jordan. The Moabites were closely related to the Israelites, as Lot was Abraham's nephew, but they often had a contentious relationship with Israel. The Moabites originated from an incestuous union between Lot and his eldest daughter, making them kin to the Israelites by blood. They established themselves on the eastern side of the Dead Sea and were known for their rugged, fertile land. Their territory included a key trade route, the King’s Highway. Although at times adversaries, the Moabites are also historically notable within biblical narratives, such as through Ruth, a Moabite woman who became the great-grandmother of King David, linking the Moabite lineage to Israel's royal line. Throughout the Old Testament, the Moabites appear as a distinct nation whose god was Chemosh, and they were often in conflict with Israel yet sometimes allies. Notable biblical events involve Moabite kings like Balak, who hired Balaam to curse Israel, and King Mesha, who battled against Israelite kings. The Moabites' story is intertwined with Israel's history, showing a complex relationship of kinship, conflict, and cultural exchange.