Bible Meaning: Gazelles
Strong's Concordance #H6636
Zeboiim, used only twice in the KJV Bible (Genesis 14:2, 8), is derived from the same Hebrew translated as Zeboim and references the same city.
The king of Zeboim was one of a coalition of five rulers who unsuccessfully fought off a "conquer and pillage" campaign led by Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14).
Zeboim was located on the fertile lands south of the Dead Sea. It was one of four population centers that in 1861 B.C., just one year before the birth of Isaac (Genesis 18 - 19), was destroyed by God due to their gross sins (Deuteronomy 29:23).
The 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia refers to Admah, Gomorrah, Sodom, Zeboim and Zoar as the five Sodomite cities. Zoar alone was spared by God since Lot requested to flee to it (Genesis 19:18 - 22).
The valley of Zeboim (1Samuel 13:17 - 18) was where one of three Philistine military companies marched in order to pillage and destroy Israel. A city by the same name existed during the time of Nehemiah. Likely within the territory of Benjamin, it was one of many locations which returning refugees occupied (Nehemiah 11:34).
Important 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.
Genesis 14:1 - 2
And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations; 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.
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 . . .
Nehemiah 11:20, 25, 32 - 34
And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance . . .
And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjatharba, and in the villages thereof . . . And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat . . .
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.