שֶׁמְאֵבֶר
Shemeber, a king of Zeboim
Definition
Shemʼêber is the name of a king of Zeboim, one of the five cities of the plain that rebelled against Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:2). As a proper noun, it refers exclusively to this historical figure who allied with the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Bela (Zoar) in a war against a coalition of eastern kings. His sole appearance in the biblical narrative is in the account of the Battle of the Vale of Siddim, where he was defeated and his city was plundered. The name itself, meaning 'name of pinion' or 'illustrious name,' stands in contrast to his obscure and defeated fate in the biblical record.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Genesis 14:2. It appears in a historical list of the five allied Canaanite kings who went to war. Its usage is purely referential, identifying a specific individual within a military and political context. There are no patterns of usage, as it is a unique hapax legomenon (word occurring only once).
Etymology
The name Shemʼêber is a compound word, derived from 'shem' (H8034), meaning 'name,' and 'eber' (H83), meaning 'pinion' or 'wing.' Thus, the name can be interpreted as 'name of the pinion' or metaphorically, 'illustrious name.' This construction suggests a name given to denote strength, honor, or lofty status, a common practice in ancient Semitic naming conventions.
Semantic Range
While the individual Shemʼêber is not a major theological figure, his inclusion in Genesis 14 is significant. He represents one of the corrupt city-states of the plain, whose judgment is later culminated in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19). His defeat by Chedorlaomer sets the stage for Abram's (Abraham's) rescue of Lot and his declaration by Melchizedek, highlighting the contrast between the ways of the world's kings and the blessing of God through His chosen servant. The name's meaning ('illustrious name') ironically contrasts with his fate, pointing to the fleeting nature of human power and renown compared to the eternal covenant of God.
As a king's name, Shemʼêber reflects the common ancient Near Eastern practice of using theophoric or meaningful compound names to convey power, divine protection, or desirable traits. The element 'shem' (name) often implied reputation and essence. His role as a vassal king in a coalition against a superior Mesopotamian force was a typical political and military dynamic of the period. The city of Zeboim, like its neighbors, was likely a prosperous city-state in the Jordan Valley, known for its rebellion and subsequent subjugation.
Bera‘ (Bera, H1298) — King of Sodom, another allied king in the same narrative. Birsha‘ (Birsha, H1306) — King of Gomorrah, another allied king in the same narrative.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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