Bible Dictionary
Zemaraim
Zemaraim was both a town in Benjamin and a mountain in the hill country of Ephraim. At Mount Zemaraim, Abijah addressed the forces of Jeroboam before a battle between Judah and Israel.
Definition
Zemaraim was both a town in Benjamin and a mountain in the highlands of Ephraim. The town was included in Benjamin’s allotment, while the mountain was associated with the setting of Abijah’s appeal to Israel.
Biblical Usage
At Mount Zemaraim, Abijah addressed Jeroboam and the forces of Israel before a battle in which Judah defeated Israel.
Historical Background
The town is commonly identified with es-Samra, a ruin north of Jericho, though the identification and the precise location of the mountain remain uncertain.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1.) A town of Benjamin (Josh. 18:22); now the ruin, rather two ruins, es-Sumrah, 4 miles north of Jericho. (2.) A mount in the highlands of Ephraim, to the north of Jerusalem (2 Chr. 13:4-20). Here the armies of Abijah and Jeroboam engaged in a bloody battle, which issued in the total defeat of the king of Israel, who never “recovered strength again,” and soon after died.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(double fleece of wool), a town in the allotment of Benjamin, (Joshua 18:22) perhaps identical with Mount Zemaraim, mentioned in (2 Chronicles 13:4) only, which was “in Mount Ephraim,” that is to say, within the general district of the highlands of that great tribe. (2 Chronicles 13:4)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>zem-a-ra'-im (cemdrayim; Codex Vaticanus Sara; Codex Alexandrinus Semrim): A city in the territory of Benjamin. It is named between Betharabah and Bethel (Jos 18:22), and is probably to be sought East of the latter city. It is usual to identify it with es-Samra, a ruin about 4 miles North of Jericho. Mt. Zemaraim probably derived its name from the city, and must be sought in the neighborhood. On this height, which is said to be in Mt. Ephraim, Abijah, king of Judah, stood when making his appeal to the men of Israel under Jeroboam (2Ch 13:4). If the identification with es-Samra is correct, this hill must be in the uplands to the West, es-Samra being on the floor of the valley. Dillmann (Joshua, at the place) thinks Zemaraim cannot be so far East of Bethel, but may be found somewhere to the South of that town.</p><p>W. Ewing</p>