Sibmah
שִׂבְמָה/SIB-muh/
“Fragrance”
Summary
A city east of the Jordan allotted to Reuben, famous in ancient times for its excellent vineyards.
☩Location and History
Sibmah (also spelled Shibmah and Shebam) was a city in the territory that originally belonged to Moab but was captured by the Amorites under Sihon. Moses took it from Sihon and gave it to the tribe of Reuben, who rebuilt it. It was situated near Heshbon on the plateau east of the Dead Sea.
Key verses:Numbers 32:3Numbers 32:38Joshua 13:19
☩Famous Vineyards
Sibmah was especially renowned for the abundance and excellence of its grapes, mentioned in the prophetic laments over Moab by Isaiah and Jeremiah. After the Transjordanic tribes were taken captive by the Assyrians, the Moabites reclaimed their ancient territories including Sibmah. The 'lords of the nations' subsequently devastated its vineyards.
Key verses:Isaiah 16:8-9Jeremiah 48:32
Related Verses5 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sibmah," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sibmah," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 3.George Morrish, "Sibmah," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Sibmah (1)," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).