Sibmah

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A city of Reuben,  Numbers 32:28;  Joshua 13:19;  Isaiah 16:8,9 , speaks of the vines of Sibmah, which were cut down by the enemies of the Moabites; for that people had taken the city of Sibmah,  Jeremiah 48:32 , and other cities of Reuben, after this tribe had been carried into captivity by Tiglath-pileser,  2 Kings 15:29;  1 Chronicles 5:26 . Jerome says that between Hesbon and Sibmah there was hardly the distance of five hundred paces.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

City of Reuben on the east of the Jordan, famous for its vines.  Joshua 13:19;  Isaiah 16:8,9;  Jeremiah 48:32 . It is called Shebam in  Numbers 32:3 , and Shibmah in  Numbers 32:38 . Identified by some with Sumia , 31 49' N, 35 46' E , where there are ancient rock-cut wine presses.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Numbers 32:38 Joshua 13:19 Joshua 16:8-9 Jeremiah 48:32 Numbers 32:3

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Joshua 13:19 Numbers 32:3,38 Isaiah 16:9 Jeremiah 48:32

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Sib'mah. See Shebam .

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

SIBMAH . See Sebam.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Heb. Sibmah', שַׂבְמָה , Coolness, or Fragrance [Gesenius]. Balsam place [Furst]; Sept. Σεβαμά v.r. in Jeremiah] Ασερημά , etc.; A.V.; "Shibmah" in  Numbers 32:38), one of the places on the east, of Jordan which were taken possession of by the tribe of Reuben ( Numbers 32:38) and rebuilt by them ( Joshua 13:19). It is probably the same with Shebam (i.e. Sebam ) , named in the parallel list ( Numbers 32:3). It originally belonged to that section of the territory of Moab which was captured by the Amorites under Sihon ( Numbers 21:26). From the Amorites Moses took it, and gave it to the children of Reuben ( Numbers 32:1 sq.). Sibmah is grouped with Heshbon and Nebo, and must, consequently, have stood near the western brow of the plateau, east of the Dead Sea. Like most of the Transjordanic places, Sibmah disappears from view during the main part of the Jewish history. We, however, gain a parting glimpse of it in the lament over Moab pronounced by Isaiah and by Jeremiah ( Isaiah 16:8-9;  Jeremiah 48:32). It was then, famed for the abundance and excellence of its grapes. They must have been. remarkably good to have been thought worthy of notice by those who, like Isaiah and Jeremiah, lived close to and were familiar with the renowned vineyards of Sorek ( Isaiah 5:2, where "choicest vine" is "vine of Sorek") Its vineyards were devastated, and the town doubtless destroyed by the "lords of the heathen," who at some time unknown appear to have laid waste the whole of that once smiling and fertile district. It will be observed that these prophets speak of the city as belonging to Moabs whereas in the books of Numbers and Joshuait is enumerated among the cities of Reuben. The reason is, on the captivity of the Transjordanic tribes by the Assyrians, the Mqabites returned to their ancient possessions and reoccupied their ancient cities, and among them Sibmah. (See Moab).

Sibmah seems to have been known to Eusebius (Onomast. s.v. "Sabama"), and Jerome (Comnment. in Isaiam, lib. 5) states that it was hardly 500 paces distant from Heshbon. He also speaks of it as one of the very strong cities (urbes validissimoe) of that region. From the way in which it is grouped in the Bible, it seems to have been on the south or southwest of Heshbon; but even the minute researches of De Saulcy, in his recent tour through that country, have failed to discover a trace of it. There are several nameless ruins mentioned by him and noted in his map, one or other of which may mark the site (Voyage en Terre Sainte. 1, 277 sq.), especially es-Sameh, or es-Samik, a ruined village near Hesban, on the north east. It is interesting to observe, however, that around Heshbon he found traces of the vineyards for which the region was once celebrated;. and that from the lips of the Bedawin both he and Tristram (Land of Israel, p. 535) heard the name Neba given to a mountain peak a short distance southwest of Heshbon. (See Nebo).