ZOBA, ZOBAH zō’ bə (צﯴבָ֗א, or צֹ֫ובָ֥ה an element in אֲרַ֣ם צﯴבָ֗א, LXX Σουβα, prob. Akkad. ṩubiti) an Aramaean (q.v.) kingdom which flourished during the early Heb. monarchy. Its exact location is not known, but in 2 Samuel 8:8 reference is made to Berothai in the kingdom of Zobah from which David obtained copper. This may be the later Bereitan in the Biqa’ region between the Lebanon ranges, and identical with Berothah of Ezekiel 47:16 at the ideal northern frontier of Israel between Damascus and Hamath. The towns Tibhath (Tebah) and Chun (Cun) referred to in 1 Chronicles 18:8 are known in Egyp. texts.

Saul fought against Zobah (1 Sam 14:47). David also clashed with Hadadezer of Zobah and defeated him when he sought to establish his northern border (2 Sam 8:3, 5, 12; 1 Chron 18:3, 5, 9; Ps 60 heading). Later when Ammon fought David there were contingents of Aramaeans, from Bethrehob, Zobah, Ishtob and Maacah in the Ammonite forces. David’s general Joab overwhelmed these allies (2 Sam 10; 1 Chron 19). David took large quantities of copper from the region of Zobah (2 Sam 8:8).

In Solomon’s time, Rezon, a fugitive from the king of Zobah, established himself in Damascus and became a source of trouble to Solomon (1 Kings 11:23).

Bibliography M. F. Unger, Israel and the Aramaeans of Damascus (1959), 130f., 211.