Numbers 32:38

“And Nebo, and Baalmeon, (their names being changed,) etc.] For Nebo was the name of an idol, after which perhaps the city was called: Baalmeon signifies “Baal’s habitation”, and where it is highly probable was a temple of his; and the children of Reuben, not liking to retain such idolatrous names, gave them others, but what they were it is not said; and certain it is, that when these places came into the hands of the Moabites, their ancient names were restored to them, as appears from (<231502>Isaiah 15:2 <244823> Jeremiah 48:23) and Shibmah; the same with Shebam, (<043203>Numbers 32:3), and gave other names unto the cities which they built; but they are neither known, nor did they always…”

“(their names being changed)--either because it was the general custom of conquerors to do so; or, rather, because from the prohibition to mention the names of other gods (Exo 23:13), as Nebo and Baal were, it was expedient on the first settlement of the Israelites to obliterate all remembrance of those idols. (See Jos 13:17-20).”

“The Reubenites established themselves more compactly than the Gadites. Elcalch (el-’Al) a mile to the northeast; Nebo (Nebbeh) probably three miles to the southwest; Baal-meon (Main) nearly two miles to the south; Kirjathaim (Kureiyat?): and Shibmah, more properly Sibmah, famous at a later period for its vines (compare Isaiah 16:8), four miles east of Heshbon; all clustered round the old Amorite Capital. The Reubenites probably retained at the partition all these cities with the exception of Heshbon, which, passing to the Levites, were thenceforth reckoned as within the tribe of Gad. Neither the Reubenites nor the Gadites were “builders” in the sense of founders of the cities of which they…”

“Their names changed - Either because conquerers of places used to do so: or because the names of other Gods (which Nebo and Baal - meon unquestionably were) were not to be mentioned, Exo 23:13. Numbers 32:40”

“Nebo: Isa 46:1 Baalmeon: This town is placed, by Eusebius and Jerome, nine miles from Heshbon, at the foot of mount Abarim. Num 22:41 gave other names unto the cities: Heb. they called by names the names of the cities, Num 32:3; Gen 26:18; Exo 23:13; Jos 23:7; Psa 16:4; Isa 46:1 Numbers 32:39”