plural of צָבוּעַ; hyenas; Tseboim, a place in Palestine; Zeboim.
Transliteration:Tsᵉbôʻîym
Pronunciation:tseb-o-eem'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H6650 (צְבֹעִים, Tsᵉbôʻîym) presents a fascinating semantic duality, stemming from its root. The base definition indicates it is the plural of צָבוּעַ (tsabua'), which primarily refers to "hyenas." This meaning is derived from the root צָבַע (tsaba'), meaning "to dye" or "to be variegated/spotted," a fitting description for the spotted coat of a hyena. However, it is crucial to note that H6650 does not appear in the biblical text directly as the animal "hyenas."
Instead, the predominant biblical usage of H6650 is as a proper noun: "Tseboim" or "Zeboim," a significant place name in ancient Palestine. This geographical designation carries profound historical and theological weight, entirely overshadowing its potential zoological meaning within the biblical narrative. The name, even as a place, might subtly allude to the characteristics of the animal, perhaps suggesting a desolate, wild, or even dangerous locale, but this is speculative. Its primary identity within Scripture is that of a specific settlement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H6650 occurs in several key biblical passages, consistently referring to a geographical location:
1. **One of the "Cities of the Plain":** The most prominent association of Zeboim is its inclusion among the infamous "cities of the plain" or "cities of the valley" that were destroyed by divine judgment.
* In [[Genesis 14:2]] and [[Genesis 14:8]], Zeboim is listed alongside Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Bela (which is Zoar) as kingdoms whose kings fought against Chedorlaomer and his allies. This establishes Zeboim as a significant urban center in the Jordan Valley during the patriarchal period.
* [[Deuteronomy 29:23]] explicitly mentions Zeboim, along with Sodom, Gomorrah, and Admah, as cities that the Lord overthrew in His fierce anger. This verse serves as a stark warning to Israel regarding the consequences of apostasy and disobedience, likening their potential fate to that of these utterly destroyed cities.
2. **A Paradigm of Divine Judgment:** The destruction of Zeboim, as part of the cities of the plain, becomes a powerful symbol of God's righteous judgment against wickedness.
* [[Hosea 11:8]] powerfully employs Zeboim as a theological reference point: "How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboim?" Here, God expresses His profound internal struggle between His justice (which demands judgment akin to Zeboim's fate) and His covenantal love and mercy for Israel. The question highlights the severity of Zeboim's destruction as a benchmark for ultimate divine wrath.
3. **Geographical Marker:** Beyond its theological symbolism, Zeboim also appears as a simple geographical marker, helping to delineate ancient territories.
* [[1 Samuel 13:18]] refers to "the valley of Zeboim, toward the wilderness," describing the direction of a Philistine raiding party. This places a specific "valley of Zeboim" in the region of Benjamin, indicating a known landmark. This might be distinct from, or a geographical feature related to, the city of Zeboim in the plain.
* [[Nehemiah 11:34]] lists Zeboim among the towns inhabited by the Benjamites after the return from exile, suggesting its continued existence or re-establishment as a settlement in that later period. This particular Zeboim is likely the one mentioned in 1 Samuel, distinct from the destroyed "city of the plain."
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is `{{H6649}}` (צָבוּעַ, tsabua'), meaning "spotted" or "variegated," from which the concept of "hyena" derives due to the animal's distinctive markings. While H6650 itself is not used for the animal in the Bible, this etymological link provides the "hyena" aspect of its base definition.
The most significant conceptual connections for H6650 are:
* **The Cities of the Plain:** Zeboim is intrinsically linked with Sodom, Gomorrah, and Admah. This collective group represents extreme moral depravity and serves as a historical example of God's decisive intervention against human sin.
* **Divine Judgment and Wrath:** The destruction of Zeboim is a clear manifestation of God's righteous anger against persistent wickedness. It stands as a testament to the consequences of rejecting divine standards.
* **Covenantal Faithfulness:** In contrast to the irreversible judgment upon Zeboim, God's lament in Hosea 11:8 underscores His enduring covenantal faithfulness and His desire for Israel's repentance, even when their actions warrant similar destruction. This highlights the tension between God's justice and His mercy.
* **Topographical Features:** The mentions in 1 Samuel and Nehemiah connect Zeboim to specific geographical areas (valleys, wilderness, Benjaminite territory), grounding the biblical narrative in concrete locations.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H6650 primarily revolves around its identity as one of the "cities of the plain" that faced divine annihilation.
1. **A Paradigm of God's Justice:** Zeboim stands as an enduring symbol of God's unyielding justice against profound sin. Its destruction, alongside Sodom and Gomorrah, demonstrates that God will not tolerate unbridled wickedness indefinitely. This serves as a solemn warning to all generations about the inevitable consequences of moral corruption and rebellion against divine law.
2. **The Severity of Sin:** The fate of Zeboim underscores the extreme gravity of sin in God's eyes. The swift and total destruction implies a level of depravity that left no room for continued existence, serving as a powerful deterrent against similar societal decay.
3. **Divine Sovereignty and Intervention:** The narrative of Zeboim's destruction affirms God's absolute sovereignty over human affairs and His willingness to intervene directly in history to uphold His righteous standards. It is a reminder that human actions are not unobserved or unjudged by the Creator.
4. **A Contrast to God's Mercy (Hosea 11:8):** Perhaps one of the most poignant theological insights comes from Hosea. While Zeboim represents utter judgment, God's rhetorical question, "How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboim?" reveals His profound pathos and reluctance to inflict such final judgment on His covenant people, Israel. This passage beautifully juxtaposes the full measure of divine justice (seen in Zeboim) with the boundless depths of God's redemptive love and mercy, which offers a path to repentance and restoration even when judgment is deserved.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H6650 (צְבֹעִים, Tsᵉbôʻîym) primarily designates a significant place in ancient Palestine, Zeboim, rather than its potential zoological meaning of "hyenas." Biblically, Zeboim is most famously known as one of the "cities of the plain" ([[Genesis 14:2]], [[Genesis 14:8]]) that suffered complete destruction by divine judgment, alongside Sodom and Gomorrah ([[Deuteronomy 29:23]]). This makes Zeboim a powerful biblical archetype for God's righteous wrath against profound human wickedness. The prophet Hosea uses Zeboim's fate as a stark illustration of the judgment Israel deserved, yet simultaneously highlights God's profound reluctance to abandon His people ([[Hosea 11:8]]), thereby contrasting the finality of Zeboim's judgment with God's enduring mercy. Additionally, H6650 appears as a geographical marker in other contexts, such as a valley in Benjamin ([[1 Samuel 13:18]]) and a post-exilic settlement ([[Nehemiah 11:34]]), grounding its historical reality within the biblical landscape. The overarching theological significance of Zeboim lies in its witness to God's unyielding justice against sin and His sovereign intervention in human history.
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