Bible Dictionary
Shinab
Shinab was king of Admah in the days of Abraham. He joined other kings of the plain and was defeated by Chedorlaomer and his allies.
Definition
Shinab was king of Admah in the time of Abraham. He joined with other kings of the valley of Siddim and was attacked by Chedorlaomer and his allies. The meaning and reading of his name are uncertain.
Biblical Usage
Shinab is named with the kings of Admah and Zeboiim in the account of the conflict with Chedorlaomer. The biblical narrative records his position as king but gives no further personal history.
Historical Background
The name has been compared with several ancient forms, but the supplied material emphasizes that the reading is uncertain. Later explanations of the name include Jewish exegetical interpretations.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Cooling, the king of Adamah, in the valley of Siddim, who with his confederates was conquered by Chedorlaomer (Gen. 14:2).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(splendor of the father, i.e. God), the king of Admah in the time of Abraham. (Genesis 14:2) (B.C. 1912.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>shi'-nab shin'abh; Samaritan: shin'ar; Sennaar): King of ADMAH (which see). He is mentioned with Shemeber, king of Zeboiim; he was attacked by Chedorlaomer and his allies (Ge 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-sar-ucur (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 (Ge 14:2). The Midrash (Ber. Rab. 42) explains Shinab as sho'-ebh mammon, "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 Ge 14:8, it is highly probable that they are later additions to the text.</p><p>Horace J. Wolf</p>