Admah is a name on a short, sad list. Genesis places it near Sodom and Gomorrah in the lowlands of Canaan, and in Genesis 14:2 its king joins the others in a war. Moses later says the land around is “brimstone, and salt, and burning”, overthrown by the LORD “like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim.” Hosea then borrows that picture for a very different purpose. God asks, “How shall I make thee as Admah?” and answers that his heart is turned within him, so mercy wins over judgment. The verse in Hosea 11:8 is the tender one to read first.
4 verses
And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.
And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:
How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
Matthew George Easton, 1897
Earth, one of the five cities of the vale of Siddim (Gen. 10:19). It was destroyed along with Sodom and Gomorrah (19:24; Deut. 29:23). It is supposed by some to be the same as the Adam of Josh. 3:16, the name of which still lingers in Damieh, the ford of Jordan. (See ZEBOIM.)
William Smith, 1884
(earthy, fortress), one of the "cities of the plain," always coupled with Zeboim. (Genesis 10:19; 14:2,8; 29:23; Hosea 11:8)