Atomic Bible

A city near Sodom, spared from destruction

Zoar

Named in 10 verses across 5 books, first in Genesis 13:10.

צֹ֫עַרZoar

בֶּ֫לַעBela

צָעִירZair

Also called Bela, Zair.

The name means “little; small.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

About Zoar Written by AI

Zoar, also known as Bela, was one of the five cities of the plain, along with Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen.14.2,8). It was originally called Bela but was renamed Zoar, which means "small," when Lot pleaded for it to be spared from destruction due to its small size (Gen.19.20-22). Lot and his daughters fled to Zoar when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen.19.23). Later, Lot left Zoar and settled in the mountains with his daughters (Gen.19.30). Zoar is mentioned as a reference point for the description of the Promised Land (Deut.34:3). The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah used Zoar to illustrate the extent of God's judgment on Moab (Isa.15.5; Jer.48.34). Zoar is most likely located at the southern end of the Dead Sea, although its exact location is uncertain. It is possibly to be identified with Khirbet el-Keryeh or Tell Iktanu. The name Zair is used in reference to a different location, where Joram fought against Edom (2Ki.8.21).

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

Small, a town on the east or south-east of the Dead Sea, to which Lot and his daughters fled from Sodom (Gen. 19:22, 23). It was originally called Bela (14:2, 8). It is referred to by the prophets Isaiah (15:5) and Jeremiah (48:34). Its ruins are still seen at the opening of the ravine of Kerak, the Kir-Moab referred to in 2 Kings 3, the modern Tell esh-Shaghur.

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

30.927, 35.419 See it on a map

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names it

  1. Genesis 13:10

    And Lot looked out and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan, all the way to Zoar, was well watered like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)

  2. Genesis 14:2

    went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

  3. Genesis 14:8

    Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) marched out and arrayed themselves for battle in the Valley of Siddim

  4. Genesis 19:22

    Hurry! Run there quickly, for I cannot do anything until you reach it.” That is why the town was called Zoar.

  5. Genesis 19:23

    And by the time the sun had risen over the land, Lot had reached Zoar.

  6. Genesis 19:30

    Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains—for he was afraid to stay in Zoar—where they lived in a cave.

  7. Deuteronomy 34:3

    the Negev, and the region from the Valley of Jericho (the City of Palms) all the way to Zoar.

  8. 2 Kings 8:21

    So Jehoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. When the Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, he rose up and attacked by night. His troops, however, fled to their homes.

  9. Isaiah 15:5

    My heart cries out over Moab; her fugitives flee as far as Zoar, as far as Eglath-shelishiyah. With weeping they ascend the slope of Luhith; they lament their destruction on the road to Horonaim.

  10. Jeremiah 48:34

    There is a cry from Heshbon to Elealeh; they raise their voices to Jahaz, from Zoar to Horonaim and Eglath-shelishiyah; for even the waters of Nimrim have dried up.

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.