Sibmah was a Moabite town known for its vineyards, allotted to the tribe of Reuben (Num. 32:38; Josh. 13:19) and later mentioned in prophecies concerning Moab (Isa. 16:8-9; Jer. 48:32).
Also known as Shibmah
Sibmah, also known as Sebam (Num. 32:3), was a town located in the territory of Moab, east of the Jordan River. It was initially conquered by the Israelites during their journey to Canaan and allotted to the tribe of Reuben (Num. 32:38; Josh. 13:19). The town was known for its lush vineyards, which were celebrated for their productivity and the quality of their grapes.
The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah both mention Sibmah in their prophecies concerning the judgment of Moab. Isaiah laments over the destruction of the vineyards of Sibmah, describing how the rulers of the nations have trampled down its vines that once reached as far as Jazer and the wilderness (Isa. 16:8-9). Similarly, Jeremiah prophesies that the shouting over the summer fruits and the harvest will cease in the fields of Heshbon and the vineyards of Sibmah (Jer. 48:32).
These prophecies indicate that Sibmah, along with other Moabite towns, would face divine judgment for its pride and idolatry. The destruction of its renowned vineyards symbolizes the extent of the coming devastation and the loss of Moab's prosperity and joy.
Although the exact location of Sibmah is uncertain, it is believed to have been situated near Heshbon, a prominent Moabite city. The ruins of Qurn el-Kibsh, about 3 miles southwest of Heshbon, have been proposed as a possible site for ancient Sibmah.
Approximate location: 31.815, 35.767 · view on a map · on the Bible atlas
Coolness; fragrance, a town in Reuben, in the territory of Moab, on the east of Jordan (Josh. 13:19); called also Shebam and Shibmah (Num. 32:3, 38). It was famous for its vines (Isa. 16:9; Jer. 48:32). It has been identified with the ruin of Sumieh, where there are rock-cut wine-presses. This fact explains the words of the prophets referred to above. It was about 5 miles east of Heshbon.
conversion; captivity
SIB'MAH (coolness, or fragrance), a city east of the Jordan, built or fortified by the Reubenites; called also Shebam and Shibmah. Josh 13:19; Num 32:3, Acts 7:38. It is not noticed again until the prophet's lament over Moab. Isa 16:8-9; Jer 48:32. At that time it was a Moabite town noted for its grapes. Jerome says it was 500 paces from Heshbon. A trace of the name is found in the ruins es-Sameh, 4 miles east of Heshbon.
SIB'MAH (coolness, or fragrance), a city east of the Jordan, built or fortified by the Reubenites; called also Shebam and Shibmah. Josh 13:19; Num 32:3, Acts 7:38. It is not noticed again until the prophet's lament over Moab. Isa 16:8-9; Jer 48:32. At that time it was a Moabite town noted for its grapes. Jerome says it was 500 paces from Heshbon. A trace of the name is found in the ruins es-Sameh, 4 miles east of Heshbon.
Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.
5 verses in 4 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H7643
as well as Nebo and Baal-meon (whose names were changed), and Sibmah. And they renamed the cities they rebuilt.
Kiriathaim, Sibmah, Zereth-shahar on the hill in the valley,
For the fields of Heshbon have withered, along with the grapevines of Sibmah. The rulers of the nations have trampled its choicest vines, which had reached as far as Jazer and spread toward the desert. Their shoots had spread out and passed over the sea.
So I weep with Jazer for the vines of Sibmah; I drench Heshbon and Elealeh with my tears. Triumphant shouts have fallen silent over your summer fruit and your harvest.
I will weep for you, O vine of Sibmah, more than I weep for Jazer. Your tendrils have extended to the sea; they reach even to Jazer. The destroyer has descended on your summer fruit and grape harvest.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.