Location
Overview
Admah was one of the five "cities of the plain" near the Jordan and the Dead Sea, sharing in their prosperity and their judgment.
A city of the plain
Admah marked the borders of the early Canaanites (Genesis 10:19) and is listed among the five cities — with Sodom, Gomorrah, Zeboiim, and Zoar — whose kings rebelled against Chedorlaomer and fought in the Valley of Siddim (Genesis 14:2, 8).
Overthrown in judgment
Though its destruction is summed up under "Sodom and Gomorrah," Scripture names Admah explicitly among the cities God overthrew: the land became "brimstone, and salt, and burning... like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim" (Deuteronomy 29:23).
A cry of mercy
Long after, God's reluctance to give up his people is voiced through Admah's memory: "How shall I make thee as Admah?" (Hosea 11:8) — the overthrown city becomes an emblem of the judgment love withholds.
Events Here
Admah is overthrown with the cities of the plain
Scripture References
5 versesGenesis3 verses
Genesis 10:19
And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha. Gaza: Heb. Azzah
Genesis 14:2
That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.
Genesis 14:8
And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;
Deuteronomy1 verse
Deuteronomy 29:23
And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:
Hosea1 verse
Hosea 11:8
How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
Archaeology & History
Admah's site, like that of the other cities of the plain, is debated and unidentified — sought either beneath the shallow southern basin of the Dead Sea or among Bronze Age ruins to its north-east. It survives chiefly as a name in the lists and laments of Scripture.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Admah
Where is Admah today?
Today, Admah corresponds to Southern Dead Sea region (debated).
What does the name Admah mean?
The name Admah means “Red earth, ground”.
What happened at Admah in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Admah include admah is overthrown with the cities of the plain.
Where is Admah first mentioned in the Bible?
Admah is first mentioned in Genesis 10:19.
How often is Admah mentioned in the Bible?
Admah is mentioned in 5 verses across 3 books: Genesis, Deuteronomy, Hosea.
What was Admah?
One of the five cities of the plain near the Dead Sea, destroyed together with Sodom, Gomorrah, and Zeboiim for their wickedness.
Where is Admah mentioned?
In the table of nations (Genesis 10:19), the war of the kings (Genesis 14), Moses’ warning (Deuteronomy 29:23), and Hosea’s lament (Hosea 11:8).