Genesis 14:2

The War of the Kings · Genesis 14:1–9
Read Genesis 14

Translations

Modern
…went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).
Traditional
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.
Literal
…that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, and Birsha king of Gomorrah, and Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).
Latin
…inirent bellum contra Bara regem Sodomorum, et contra Bersa regem Gomorrhæ, et contra Sennaab regem Adamæ, et contra Semeber regem Seboim, contraque regem Balæ, ipsa est Segor.

Original

Hebrew
English
…went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

Notes

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.

Theme notes and profiles

Abraham Lot Melchizedek Invasion Symbolic Numbers

People

Bera: King of Sodom during Abraham's time Birsha: King of Gomorrah during Abraham's time Shemeber: King of Zeboiim Shinab: King of Admah who rebelled against Chedorlaomer

Places

Admah: One of the cities destroyed with Sodom and Gomorrah Gomorrah: Wicked city destroyed by God along with Sodom Sodom: Wicked city destroyed by God for its sins Zeboiim: One of the cities of the plain destroyed with Sodom Zoar: A city near Sodom, spared from destruction

Glossary

Admah Amraphel Arioch Bela (Place) Bera Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Birsha Chaldea, Chaldeans Chedorlaomer Cities of the Plain Ebla Tablets Ellasar Genesis, Book of Goiim Kedorlaomer King’s Highway Lot Melchizedek Palestine Patriarchs, Period of the Shemeber Shinab Siddim Valley Sodom and Gomorrah Tidal Travel Zeboiim Zoar

Topics

Admah: A City in the Vale of Siddim Armies: Antiquity of Bela: A City Also Called Zoar Bera: King of Sodom Birsha: A King of Gomorrah Chedorlaomer: King of Elam Confederacies of Kings Gomorrah: Its King Defeated by Chedorlaomer Lot: The Son of Haran: Taken Captive by Chedorlaomer; Rescued by Abraham Shemeber: King of Zeboim Shinab: King of Admah Sodom: King of, Joins Other Kings of the Nations Resisting the Invasion of Chedorlaomer War: Antiquity of Zeboim: Also Called Zeboiim: One of the Cities in the Valley of Siddim Zoar: King of, Fought Against Chedorlaomer