שֶׁמְאֵ֫בֶר (shem.e.ver)
shem.e.ver
Shemeber
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Shemeber appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, at Genesis 14:2. It identifies him as the king of Zeboim, one of five regional rulers who joined forces with the king of Sodom to fight against the coalition of northern kings.
Lexical sources suggest the name means "lofty flight." This etymology is notable because it stands in stark contrast to the fate of his city. While the name implies elevation or soaring, Zeboim and its allies were ultimately defeated and scattered, highlighting a biblical theme where earthly power often proves fleeting.
Because Shemeber is mentioned solely as part of this military alliance, he serves as a historical marker for the conflict in the Valley of Siddim. His brief appearance anchors the narrative of Abraham’s rescue of Lot, reminding readers that even powerful kings were subject to the larger events unfolding in the land.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shemeber appears only once in Scripture, marking him as the king of Zeboim during a major conflict in Genesis 14. His brief mention serves as a historical anchor for the story of Abraham rescuing his nephew Lot. While the name itself may suggest loftiness or flight, the narrative shows that earthly power is often fleeting when measured against God’s larger purposes.
This single reference reminds us that even regional rulers are part of a broader divine plan. We do not need to know every detail about these ancient figures to see how God works through history. The focus remains on Abraham’s faith and God’s deliverance, showing that human alliances cannot override sovereign care for His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Shemeber1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/שֶׁמְאֵ֙בֶר֙1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 14:2
they made war with Bera, king of Sodom; Birsha, king of Gomorrah; Shinab, king of Admah; Shemeber, king of Zeboiim; and the king of Bela (also called Zoar).
This verse lists Shemeber among five kings who formed a military coalition, highlighting his role as a historical marker in the conflict that led to Abraham's rescue of Lot.