Lexical Summary Tseboim or Tseboyim: Zeboiim or Zeboim Original Word: צְבֹאִים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Zeboiim, Zeboim Or (more correctly) Tsbiyiym {tseb-ee-yeem'}; or Tsbiyim {tseb-ee-yeem'}; plural of tsbiy; gazelles; Tseboim or Tsebijim, a place in Palestine -- Zeboiim, Zeboim. see HEBREW tsbiy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as tsebi Definition a place near Sodom NASB Translation Zeboiim (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs צְבֹיִים proper name, of a location near Sodom, Genesis 14:2,8; Deuteronomy 29:22= צְבֹיִם Genesis 10:19 = צְבֹאִים Hosea 11:8 Kt (צְבוֺיִם Qr); Σεβωειμ. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences Genesis 10:19; Genesis 14:2; Genesis 14:8; Deuteronomy 29:23; Hosea 11:8 Geographical Setting Zeboiim lay on the southeast side of the Dead Sea, forming part of the “Cities of the Plain” (Genesis 13:12; Genesis 19:29). The region was once fertile but is now marked by salt flats and mineral deposits, a silent witness to the cataclysm Scripture records. Its precise ruins have not been conclusively identified, yet most scholars place it south or southeast of the modern Dead Sea, within the same archaeological corridor as Bab edh-Dhraʿ and Numeira—sites that preserve burn layers and sulphur pellets compatible with the biblical description of judgment by fire and brimstone. Role in Primeval History (Genesis 10) Genesis 10:19 situates Zeboiim within the territorial boundaries of the Canaanites: “And the territory of the Canaanites extended from Sidon toward Gerar as far as Gaza, and then toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha.” In Moses’ Table of Nations Zeboiim appears before any narrative of divine wrath, reminding readers that God’s judgments fall upon real peoples in history, not mythic abstractions. Political Alliance and Warfare (Genesis 14) During the Patriarchal period Zeboiim joined its sister-cities in resisting the Eastern coalition led by Chedorlaomer. Genesis 14:2 reports: “They went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and against the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).” The alliance underscores Zeboiim’s stature among the five urban centers and illustrates how sin can unite nations in defiance of stronger oppressors, yet ultimately exposes them to greater judgment. Abraham’s rescue of Lot shows God’s ability to deliver the righteous from doomed surroundings (2 Peter 2:6-9). Example of Irrevocable Judgment (Deuteronomy 29) In the Covenant renewal on the plains of Moab, Moses invokes Zeboiim as a paradigm of utter devastation: “The whole land will be a burning waste of salt and sulfur—nothing planted, nothing sprouting, no vegetation growing on it. It will be like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His fierce anger.” (Deuteronomy 29:23) The city’s name becomes a theological warning label for Israel, anchoring covenant curses in a recognizable historical event. Prophetic Appeal to Divine Compassion (Hosea 11) While Zeboiim epitomizes judgment, Hosea uses the same city to highlight God’s yearning mercy: “How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; all My compassion is aroused.” (Hosea 11:8) The prophet contrasts what Israel deserves—desolation like Zeboiim—with what God desires—restoration. Zeboiim therefore functions as a rhetorical boundary: God restrains wrath because of covenant love, even toward a rebellious people. Theological Themes 1. Certainty of Divine Judgment: Zeboiim’s destruction confirms that moral decadence invites God’s righteous response (Genesis 18:20-21; Jude 7). Lessons for Ministry Today • Preach Both Judgment and Grace: Zeboiim shows the gravity of sin; Hosea pairs it with unfathomable compassion, offering a balanced gospel presentation. Summary Zeboiim stands as both a monument to divine wrath and a touchstone for divine mercy. Remembering its ashes guards the church against complacency, while echoing Hosea’s plea fuels gospel proclamation that “mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13). Forms and Transliterations וּצְבֹויִ֔ם וּצְבֹיִ֖ם וצבוים וצבים כִּצְבֹאיִ֑ם כצבאים צְבֹויִ֔ים צְבֹויִ֔ם צבויים צבוים kiṣ·ḇō·yim kiṣḇōyim kitzvoYim ṣə·ḇō·w·yim ṣə·ḇō·w·yîm ṣəḇōwyim ṣəḇōwyîm tzevoYim ū·ṣə·ḇō·w·yim ū·ṣə·ḇō·yim ūṣəḇōwyim ūṣəḇōyim utzevoYimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 10:19 HEB: וַעֲמֹרָ֛ה וְאַדְמָ֥ה וּצְבֹיִ֖ם עַד־ לָֽשַׁע׃ NAS: and Admah and Zeboiim, as far KJV: and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha. INT: and Gomorrah and Admah and Zeboiim far Lasha Genesis 14:2 Genesis 14:8 Deuteronomy 29:23 Hosea 11:8 5 Occurrences |
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