Translations
Original
Notes
Tidal apparently ruled several city-states. The text calls his people Goiim, which means “nations” in Hebrew.
Archaeology has not identified these kings. But ancient texts include similar names, which supports the report’s reliability. The Mesopotamian kings were allies under one leading ruler, likely Amraphel, who is named first.
In this typical ancient political conflict, powerful kings allied to control smaller dependent states.
People
Amraphel: King of Shinar, ally of Chedorlaomer Arioch: King of Ellasar, ally of Chedorlaomer Chedorlaomer: King of Elam, led coalition against Sodom and Gomorrah Goiim: A king of Goyim who fought alongside Chedorlaomer Tidal: King of Goiim, ally of Chedorlaomer
Places
Elam: Ancient kingdom east of Babylon; ally and enemy of Israel Ellasar: Mesopotamian city-state; allied with Elam against Sodom and Gomorrah Shinar: Ancient region in Mesopotamia, associated with Babylon
Glossary
Ammon, Ammonites Amraphel Arioch Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Chaldea, Chaldeans Chedorlaomer Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Cities of the Plain Ebla Tablets Elam (Place), Elamites Ellasar Genesis, Book of Goiim Kedorlaomer King’s Highway Lot Melchizedek Palestine Patriarchs, Period of the Shinar Sodom and Gomorrah Tidal Travel
Topics
Amorites: Struck Down by Chedorlaomer and Rescued by Abraham Amraphel: King of Shinar Arioch: King of Ellasar Armies: Antiquity of Assyria: Called: Shinar Babylon: Empire of Armies of, Invade Ancient Canaan Babylon: Empire of Called Land of Shinar Chedorlaomer: King of Elam Confederacies of Kings Elam: A District Southeast of Babylon, on Persian Gulf Ellasar: Its King Invades Canaan Government: Imperial Lot: The Son of Haran: Taken Captive by Chedorlaomer; Rescued by Abraham Sodom: King of, Joins Other Kings of the Nations Resisting the Invasion of Chedorlaomer Tidal: King of Nations (Rv , Goiim)