Location
Overview
Zeboiim (also spelled Zeboim) was one of the cities of the plain, almost always named with Admah as the lesser companions of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Among the five cities
Zeboiim is listed at the border of Canaan (Genesis 10:19) and among the kings who joined the doomed alliance in the Valley of Siddim against Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:2, 8).
Shared in the overthrow
It perished with its neighbours when God overthrew the plain — remembered in Moses' warning of "the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim" (Deuteronomy 29:23).
An emblem of withheld wrath
Like Admah, Zeboiim becomes a figure of judgment in Hosea's tender cry of divine compassion: "how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me" (Hosea 11:8).
Events Here
Zeboiim is overthrown with the cities of the plain
Scripture References
7 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:
1 Samuel1 verse
1 Samuel 13:18
And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
Nehemiah1 verse
Nehemiah 11:34
Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
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
Zeboiim's location shares the uncertainty of the whole Pentapolis of the plain — unidentified, sought near the southern Dead Sea or to its north-east. (It is distinct from the "valley of Zeboim" in Benjamin mentioned in 1 Samuel 13:18.) Its memory endures in the prophetic warnings of Scripture.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Zeboiim
Where is Zeboiim today?
Today, Zeboiim corresponds to Southern Dead Sea region (debated).
What does the name Zeboiim mean?
The name Zeboiim means “Gazelles”.
What happened at Zeboiim in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Zeboiim include zeboiim is overthrown with the cities of the plain.
Where is Zeboiim first mentioned in the Bible?
Zeboiim is first mentioned in Genesis 10:19.
How often is Zeboiim mentioned in the Bible?
Zeboiim is mentioned in 7 verses across 5 books: Genesis, Deuteronomy, 1 Samuel, Nehemiah, Hosea.
What was Zeboiim?
The fifth of the cities of the plain, destroyed with Sodom, Gomorrah, and Admah. Only Zoar, the smallest, was spared.
What does Zeboiim mean?
The name is usually understood to mean "gazelles."