ZOAR, Zoara, Segor, or Bela; a City of Pentapolis, lying on the Southern Extremity of the Dead Sea. It was intended, as the other five Cities, to be consumed by Fire from Heaven; but at the Intercession of Lot, who desired it for a Place of Refuge, it was Genesis xix. 22. Genesis xiv. 2.preserved; it was called Bela before; but when Lot desired of the Angel that he might retire to it, and often insisted on the Smallness of this City, it had the Name Zoar1 given it; which in Hebrew signifies small, or little. See the Article BELA. The Romans kept a Garison at Zoar, or Segor.2 St. Jerome observes,3 that the Name of Bela was given to this City, because as soon as Lot was gone out of it, it was swallowed up by an Earthquake. Bela in Hebrew signifies to swallow up. Theodoret4 mentions the same Tradition. The same St. Jerome also tells us, that the Hebrews think Zoar bears also the Name of Shalisha, 1 Sam. ix. 4. and that of the heifer of three years old, Vitula conternans, Isai. xlviii. 34. They pretend that this City has often been demolished by Earthquakes.
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