Interesting Facts

• Zeboyim was one of the four cities in the plain founded by men from the lineage of Ham.
• Like Sodom, Gomorrah, and Admah, Zeboyim had ruling judges, one of whom was named Menon. Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, is said to have mockingly renamed Menon as Matzlodin.
• The inhabitants of Zeboyim, along with the other cities of the plain, participated in the cruel custom involving specially erected beds to torment travelers. If a traveler did not fit the bed, they would be stretched or compressed to size, often to the point of death.
• Zeboyim, along with Sodom, Gomorrah, and Admah, was among the cities that rebelled against Chedorlaomer after twelve years of servitude.
• The king of Zeboyim, whose name was Shemeber, joined the other four kings of the cities of the plain in the battle against Chedorlaomer and his allies in the vale of Siddim.

Genealogy

• Zeboyim was established by one of the four men from the family of Ham who ventured into the land of the plain.
• This individual constructed a city in the plain and bestowed upon it the name Zeboyim, after his own name.
• The populace of Zeboyim were the descendants of this son of Ham, who established themselves in the city and propagated their lineage there.

Historical Context

The emergence of Zeboyim, akin to its sister cities Sodom, Gomorrah, and Admah, is situated in the early post-diluvian era, following the dispersal of Noah’s descendants. These cities were founded by members of Ham’s lineage in the fertile plains, indicating an early attempt at establishing settled communities and governance. The cultural milieu that developed within these cities, including Zeboyim, became notorious for its profound moral degradation. This is evident in the establishment of perverse legal systems, exemplified by the torture beds for travelers, and a severe lack of hospitality and compassion for outsiders. The interconnectedness of these polities is underscored by their shared rebellion against Chedorlaomer, indicating a degree of regional alliance despite their internal wickedness. This period reveals a trajectory of societal development where material prosperity was accompanied by a significant and ultimately fatal moral decline, setting the stage for divine intervention.

Narrative

The narrative of Zeboyim is inextricably linked with the overarching tale of the cities of the plain, characterized by their collective and egregious sins against the Lord. The inhabitants of Zeboyim actively participated in the abhorrent customs of the region, including the cruel treatment of visitors through the use of the torture beds, a practice sanctioned and enforced by their judge, Menon. Zeboyim’s participation in the rebellion against Chedorlaomer and the subsequent battle in the vale of Siddim highlight its involvement in the political dynamics of the region, ultimately leading to defeat and the plundering of its goods. Like Sodom and Gomorrah, the intense wickedness of Zeboyim drew the attention of the Divine, prompting an investigation into their deeds. Despite Abraham’s fervent intercession for any righteous individuals within these cities, the pervasive corruption of Zeboyim, alongside its neighbors, sealed its destiny. Ultimately, Zeboyim was consumed by a cataclysmic judgment of brimstone and fire from the Lord, signifying divine retribution for their unrepentant and extreme moral decay. The destruction of Zeboyim serves as a potent example within the scriptural account of the severe consequences that befall societies that wholly abandon the principles of righteousness and justice.