Shinab
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Topical Encyclopedia
Shinab is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Genesis. He is identified as the king of Admah, one of the five cities of the plain, which also included Sodom, Gomorrah, Zeboiim, and Bela (Zoar). These cities are noted for their involvement in the events leading up to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Biblical Reference:

Shinab is mentioned in Genesis 14:2, which states: "that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar)."

Historical Context:

The account of Shinab is set during the time of the patriarch Abraham. The narrative in Genesis 14 describes a coalition of four eastern kings led by Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, who waged war against the five kings of the cities of the plain, including Shinab. This conflict is often referred to as the Battle of the Valley of Siddim.

The eastern kings had subjugated the cities of the plain for twelve years, and in the thirteenth year, the cities rebelled. In response, Chedorlaomer and his allies launched a campaign to reassert their dominance, leading to the battle in which the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela were defeated.

Theological Significance:

The account of Shinab and the battle in Genesis 14 is significant for several reasons. It provides a historical backdrop for the narrative of Abraham, highlighting the geopolitical dynamics of the region during his time. The defeat of the kings of the plain sets the stage for Abraham's subsequent rescue of his nephew Lot, who had been taken captive during the conflict.

This event also introduces Melchizedek, king of Salem, who blesses Abraham upon his victorious return. The encounter with Melchizedek is a pivotal moment, as it foreshadows the priestly and kingly roles that are later fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, according to Christian theology.

Cultural and Archaeological Insights:

The cities of the plain, including Admah, are often associated with the region near the Dead Sea. While the exact locations of these ancient cities remain uncertain, archaeological and geological studies have sought to identify possible sites. The narrative of their destruction, particularly that of Sodom and Gomorrah, has been a subject of interest and debate among scholars, with some proposing natural explanations such as seismic activity or meteor impacts.

Moral and Ethical Lessons:

The account of Shinab and the other kings serves as a reminder of the consequences of rebellion against divine authority. The eventual destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah underscores the biblical theme of judgment against wickedness and the importance of righteousness, as exemplified by Abraham's intercession for the cities and his rescue of Lot.

In summary, Shinab, as king of Admah, plays a role in the broader narrative of Genesis that illustrates themes of conflict, divine intervention, and the unfolding of God's covenantal promises through the patriarch Abraham.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Shinab

father of changing

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Shinab

(splendor of the father , i.e. God), the king of Admah in the time of Abraham. (Genesis 14:2) (B.C. 1912.)

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Cooling, the king of Adamah, in the valley of Siddim, who with his confederates was conquered by Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:2).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SHINAB

shi'-nab shin'abh; Samaritan: shin'ar; Sennaar): King of ADMAH (which see). He is mentioned with Shemeber, king of Zeboiim; he was attacked by Chedorlaomer and his allies (Genesis 14:2). The reading is very uncertain. If the incident narrated is founded on fact, Shinab may be identical with Sanibu, an Ammonite king in the time of Tiglath-pileser III (so French Delitzsch, Wo lag das Paradies? 294); or the name may be equated by the Assyrian Sin-sar-ucur (compare "Shenazzar"), and Shem-eber with the Assyrian Sumu-abi (Sayce, The Expository Times, VIII, 463). Jewish exegesis gives a sinister explanation of all four names (Genesis 14:2). The Midrash (Ber. Rab. 42) explains Shinab as sho'-ebh mammon, "one who draws money (wherever he can)." It is of interest to note that the names fall into two alliterative pairs and that each king's name contains exactly as many letters as that of his city. On the whole, however, the list leaves an impression of artificiality; as the names are not repeated in Genesis 14:8, it is highly probable that they are later additions to the text.

Horace J. Wolf

Strong's Hebrew
8134. Shinab -- a king of Admah
... 8133, 8134. Shinab. 8135 . a king of Admah. Transliteration: Shinab Phonetic
Spelling: (shin-awb') Short Definition: Shinab. Word ...
/hebrew/8134.htm - 6k
Library

The History after the Flood.
... And the names of their kings are these: Bera, king of Sodom; Birsha, king of Gomorrah;
Shinab, king of Admah; Shemeber, king of Zeboiim; Bela, king of Zoar ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxxi the history after the.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... was, like Ahab of Samaria, an ally of Damascus against the Assyrian invader, and
we hear of two others, one of whom bears the same name as "Shinab, King of ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Chapter xiv
... 2. They made war with Bera, king of Sodom, and Birsha, king of Gomorrah, Shinab,
king of Admah, and Shemeber, king of Zeboyim; and the king of Bela (that is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

Thesaurus
Shinab (1 Occurrence)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHINAB. shi'-nab shin'abh; Samaritan: shin'ar; Sennaar):
King of ADMAH (which see). ... Multi-Version Concordance Shinab (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/shinab.htm - 8k

Shemeber (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHEMEBER. shem-e'-ber, shem'-e-ber (shem'-ebher):
The king of Zeboiim (Genesis 14:2). See SHINAB. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/s/shemeber.htm - 7k

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)
... Genesis 14:2 that they made war with Bera the king of Sodom, and with Birsha the
king of Gomorrah, Shinab the king of Admah, and Shemeber the king of Zeboim ...
/z/zeboim.htm - 11k

Zeboiim (7 Occurrences)
... Genesis 14:2 that they 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 ...
/z/zeboiim.htm - 9k

Zo'ar (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 14:2 that they 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 ...
/z/zo'ar.htm - 9k

Zeboi'im (4 Occurrences)
... Genesis 14:2 that they 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 ...
/z/zeboi'im.htm - 7k

Gomorrah (25 Occurrences)
... Genesis 14:2 that they 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 ...
/g/gomorrah.htm - 17k

Gomor'rah (23 Occurrences)
... Genesis 14:2 that they 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 ...
/g/gomor'rah.htm - 13k

Birsha (1 Occurrence)
... Genesis 14:2 that they 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 ...
/b/birsha.htm - 7k

Bela (14 Occurrences)
... Genesis 14:2 that they 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 ...
/b/bela.htm - 13k

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