Admah and Zeboiim were two of the five “cities of the plain” destroyed by God along with Sodom and Gomorrah according to the Bible. They were located in the Valley of Siddim near the Dead Sea and were known for their great wickedness which led to their destruction by divine judgement. Though not mentioned as frequently as Sodom and Gomorrah, understanding Admah and Zeboiim provides further insight into this important biblical event.
The Cities of the Plain in Genesis
The cities of Admah, Zeboiim, Sodom, Gomorrah, and Zoar (Bela) are first mentioned together in Genesis 10:19 which describes the land occupied by the Canaanites as extending “from Sidon to Gerar and Gaza, and as far as Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, near Lasha.” This establishes the five cities as a notable region even early in the book of Genesis.
In Genesis 13, we find Lot dwelling in the Valley of Siddim near Sodom. Verse 13 notes “Now the people of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.” As events unfold in Genesis 14, Sodom is attacked by several kings leading to Lot’s capture. Abraham sets out to rescue Lot in battle and succeeds in defeating the kings and bringing back “his relative Lot and his possessions, as well as the women and the other people” (Genesis 14:16). This incident reveals the growing influence of the city of Sodom in the region, but also its vulnerability to outside attacks.
Genesis 18 and 19 provide the most detail about Sodom and Gomorrah’s impending judgement. Here God reveals his plans to Abraham, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know” (Genesis 18:20-21). It becomes clear the other cities, including Admah and Zeboiim, will face judgement as well. Only Zoar is spared after Lot’s pleading with God.
The Destruction of the Cities
Genesis 19 vividly describes the destruction of the cities on the plain. “Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens” (Genesis 19:24). The passage reveals, “Early the next morning Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the Lord. He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace” (Genesis 19:27-28). Clearly, the destruction was thorough and complete for the cities of the plain, including Admah and Zeboiim.
Deuteronomy 29:23 also looks back on the event stating, “The whole land is brimstone and salt, a burning waste, unsown and unproductive, and no grass grows in it, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in His anger and in His wrath.” This confirms Admah and Zeboiim were fully destroyed as part of God’s judgement on the wickedness of the cities.
Admah and Zeboiim’s Sins
Though Sodom and Gomorrah are the most infamous of the cities, Scripture implies Admah and Zeboiim were also deeply corrupted. Genesis 10:19 groups them together as part of the same region under Canaanite control. Genesis 14 and 19 consistently mention Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim together when describing the cities’ destruction. God’s judgement came upon all of the cities of the plain, so Admah and Zeboiim clearly shared the same level of immorality that warranted destruction.
Ezekiel 16:46-56 directly compares Judah’s sinfulness to that of Sodom as well as the other cities of the plain. Verse 49 highlights that the sins of Sodom were that “She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” There is no reason to believe Admah and Zeboiim did not share in these common regional sins that brought judgement.
Admah and Zeboiim as Cautionary Examples
As lesser known cities, Admah and Zeboiim act as secondary examples that reinforce the Genesis account’s warnings against wickedness. 2 Peter 2:6 states “if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly.” Pairing the destruction of Admah and Zeboiim emphasizes God’s willingness to judge sin thoroughly and completely.
Additionally, Admah and Zeboiim stand as a representation of all those outside the covenant people of God. Jude 1:7 declares, “In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.” This warning extends to all who rebel against God’s commands.
Though playing a secondary role, the names of Admah and Zeboiim strengthen the Genesis account by demonstrating God’s uncompromising opposition to evil wherever it takes root.
Admah and Zeboiim in the Prophets
The prophets also invoke Admah and Zeboiim when warning God’s people of coming judgement. Jeremiah refers to the ruined cities no less than seven times.
In Jeremiah 23:14, the Lord declares judgement on unfaithful prophets stating, “among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something horrible: They commit adultery and live a lie. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that not one of them turns from their wickedness. They are all like Sodom to me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.” Pairing Jerusalem with Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim implies a similar fate if they refuse to repent.
Jeremiah 50:40 pronounces God’s plans for judgement on Babylon saying, “As I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah along with their neighboring towns, declares the Lord, so no one will live there; no people will dwell in it.” Here Admah and Zeboiim represent the thoroughness of God’s wrath against wickedness.
Likewise, throughout the prophets Admah and Zeboiim stand as a repeated motif for the consequences of unrepentant sin and disregard for God’s law.
Admah and Zeboiim in Other Ancient Texts
The names of Admah and Zeboiim also appear in extra-biblical literary works from the ancient Near East. References are found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, in the book of Jubilees, and in writings of Flavius Josephus.
The Genesis Apocryphon, one of the Dead Sea Scrolls, mentions Admah and Zeboiim numerous times in columns 19-21 as part of retelling the destruction accounts of Genesis. Jubilees 16 provides expanded details about the judgement coming on the cities of the plain including Admah and Zeboiim. Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews Book 1, Chapter 11 also discusses Admah and Zeboiim when describing Bible events about Sodom and Gomorrah.
These examples demonstrate Admah and Zeboiim were important locations that resonated with authors and readers familiar with the biblical text and its backstory. Their reputation as wicked cities doomed to destruction made them useful archetypes when writing about sin and God’s judgement.
Admah and Zeboiim’s Modern Locations
While the precise locations of Admah and Zeboiim are unknown, scholars have speculated about where they may have been situated based on geographic clues in Genesis. The Valley of Siddim where they resided is likely an ancient name for the arid plains region south of the Dead Sea near the location of the existing city of Safi.
This arid lowland region was well-watered and suitable for farming in ancient times. As Genesis 19:25 notes, the area was devastated by burning sulfur and left uninhabitable after the destruction of the cities. Fittingly, the current landscape surrounding the Dead Sea is one of ruined wasteland. It serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences for those who disregard God’s law.
Though long abandoned and destroyed, the names of Admah and Zeboiim endure as symbols of God’s uncompromising response to deep wickedness among humanity. Their mention alongside Sodom and Gomorrah reinforces the magnitude of divine judgement carried out in the Genesis account.
Significance for Theology and Christian Belief
Within the Bible’s theological framework, the destruction of Admah and Zeboiim carries several significant implications:
- It demonstrates God’s complete intolerance of sin, especially grievous sin permeating an entire culture.
- It highlights God’s fairness in punishing sin consistently whether among his chosen people or foreigners.
- It proves that wickedness ultimately elicits God’s wrath and destruction.
- It shows God’s desire to limit the spread of sin is so strong that destruction may result.
- It reveals God’s willingness to spare the righteous who trust in him – Lot and his family were saved.
These act as warnings and reassurance for all generations. God seeks to limit evil, but his mercy spares the faithful. Mentioning Admah and Zeboiim strengthens this divine pattern of justice and grace throughout Scripture.
Admah and Zeboiim as Examples Today
For Christians today, Admah and Zeboiim continue to function as cautionary tales. Though they were lesser known cities destroyed along with Sodom and Gomorrah, naming them specifically in Scripture serves to reinforce the account’s purpose in revealing aspects of God’s nature and actions.
Admah and Zeboiim remind us that:
- No nation or culture, no matter how prosperous, is immune from God’s judgement if it embraces wickedness.
- Rampant immorality ultimately breeds God’s disfavor and wrath.
- Trusting in wealth, power or idols cannot save from destruction.
- God’s people must fleefrom participating in or approving of societal sins around them.
- God is willing to spare those who repent no matter their past sins.
Though Admah and Zeboiim were less significant cities, their mention in Scripture serves as a warning to all generations. Their destruction reveals the incompatibility of sin before a holy God. Identifying with Lot who trusted in God’s mercy is the only sure refuge.
Conclusion
Admah and Zeboiim were two of the lesser known cities of the plain near the Dead Sea destroyed by God for their grievous sins according to Genesis. Though overshadowed by Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim function to reinforce the Genesis account’s pattern of human wickedness breeding divine judgement. Their destruction forms a cautionary example within the Bible of God’s opposition to deep rooted sin and the need to separate from worldly practices that offend God’s holiness. For the faithful, mention of Admah and Zeboiim reminds that, like Lot, mercy spares those who trust in God’s compassion.
