צְבֹעִים (tse.vo.im)
tse.vo.im
Zeboim
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun tsevo'im refers to Zeboim, a place name meaning "speckled." It identifies both a city and the surrounding valley located in the territory of Benjamin, situated between Jericho and Jerusalem. The sources note that this location appears in only two verses in the Hebrew Bible, with one occurrence found in Nehemiah.
The etymology links the name to the root for speckling or dappled markings, likely describing the visual appearance of the land itself. While the exact nature of these markings remains unspecified, the name provides a concrete geographical anchor for readers navigating the tribal boundaries of ancient Israel. Its limited usage means it serves as a specific locator rather than a frequently cited theological symbol.
Translators typically render this word simply as "Zeboim" to preserve its identity as a proper noun. By keeping the original name, the text maintains the historical specificity of the region without attempting to translate the descriptive element into modern English, allowing the geographical context to stand on its own within the biblical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Reading through the genealogies and city lists in Nehemiah can feel like scrolling through a phone book, but these names ground our faith in real history. Zeboim, meaning "speckled," was not just a dot on a map but a home for families rebuilding their lives after exile. It reminds us that God cares about the specific places where we live and work.
In Samuel, the valley of Zeboim marked a boundary during times of conflict. For us today, it suggests that our spiritual journey has defined paths and borders. We are not wandering aimlessly; we are part of a long line of believers who trusted God in their own specific contexts.
Even when the Bible lists places we do not recognize, they point to a faithful God who knows every corner of the earth. Your current location, whatever it may be, is seen and known by Him just as Zeboim was.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Zeboim1×
- <the>/ Zeboim1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צְבֹעִ֖ים1×
- הַ/צְּבֹעִ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 13:18
another company turned the way to Beth Horon; and another company turned the way of the border that looks down on the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
This verse uses the valley to describe a military boundary, showing how geography shaped Israel's early struggles.
-
Nehemiah 11:34
Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
Here Zeboim is listed among returned exiles, highlighting its role in the restoration of community and land.