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Sunday, December 22nd, 2024
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Bible Encyclopedias
Shinab
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
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shı̄´nab ( שׁנאב , shin'ābh ; Samaritan: שׁנאר , shin'ār ; Σενναάρ , Sennaár ): King of ADMAH (which see). He is mentioned with Shemeber, king of Zeboiim; he was attacked by Chedorlaomer and his allies (Genesis 14:2 ). The reading is very uncertain. If the incident narrated is founded on fact, Shinab may be identical with Sanibu, an Ammonite king in the time of Tiglath-pileser III (so French Delitzsch, Wo lag das Paradies? 294); or the name may be equated by the Assyrian Sin -šar -uṣur (compare "Shenazzar"), and Shem-eber with the Assyrian Sumu -abi (Sayce, The Expository Times , VIII, 463). Jewish exegesis gives a sinister explanation of all four names (Genesis 14:2 ). The Midrash (Ber. Rab. 42) explains Shinab as ממּון שׁואב , shō'ebh māmmōn , "one who draws money (wherever he can)." It is of interest to note that the names fall into two alliterative pairs and that each king's name contains exactly as many letters as that of his city. On the whole, however, the list leaves an impression of artificiality; as the names are not repeated in Genesis 14:8 , it is highly probable that they are later additions to the text.
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Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Shinab'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/isb/s/shinab.html. 1915.
