Zoar

Zoar, also known as Bela, was one of the five cities of the plain, along with Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen.14:2,8). It was originally called Bela but was renamed Zoar, which means "small," when Lot pleaded for it to be spared from destruction due to its small size (Gen.19:20-22). Lot and his daughters fled to Zoar when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen.19:23). Later, Lot left Zoar and settled in the mountains with his daughters (Gen.19:30). Zoar is mentioned as a reference point for the description of the Promised Land (Deut.34:3). The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah used Zoar to illustrate the extent of God's judgment on Moab (Isa.15:5; Jer.48:34). Zoar is most likely located at the southern end of the Dead Sea, although its exact location is uncertain. It is possibly to be identified with Khirbet el-Keryeh or Tell Iktanu. The name Zair is used in reference to a different location, where Joram fought against Edom (2Ki.8:21).