Genesis 14:1 kjv

And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;

Genesis 14:1 nkjv

And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations,

Genesis 14:1 niv

At the time when Amraphel was king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goyim,

Genesis 14:1 esv

In the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim,

Genesis 14:1 nlt

About this time war broke out in the region. King Amraphel of Babylonia, King Arioch of Ellasar, King Kedorlaomer of Elam, and King Tidal of Goiim

Genesis 14 verses

Genesis 14 1 Meaning

Genesis 14:1 introduces the historical stage for the upcoming conflict, listing four Eastern kings: Amraphel of Shinar, Arioch of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer of Elam, and Tidal of Goiim. It states that these events "came to pass" during their respective reigns. This verse establishes the antagonists and their domains, signaling the commencement of a significant military confrontation involving cities and regions that will directly impact Lot, Abraham, and the unfolding divine narrative.

Genesis 14 1 Context

Genesis 14:1 immediately follows the account of Lot's separation from Abraham and his choice to settle in the fertile but morally corrupt region near Sodom (Gen 13). This geographical proximity places Lot in direct jeopardy as regional conflicts escalate. Historically, this verse initiates the first recorded large-scale international conflict in the Bible, a coalition of Eastern powers led by Elam's king, Chedorlaomer, invading the rebellious city-states of the Dead Sea plain, including Sodom and Gomorrah. The mention of specific kings and territories like Shinar (Sumer/Babylonia) and Elam indicates the author's familiarity with ancient Near Eastern geopolitics. The detailed list of kings sets a realistic, historical tone, establishing the backdrop for Abraham's eventual heroic intervention and subsequent significant encounters, notably with Melchizedek. The focus shifts from patriarchal narratives of migration and family to geopolitical dynamics that threaten the patriarch's kin, forcing Abraham into direct action.

Genesis 14 1 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִי, wayhiy): A common Hebrew introductory phrase, often marking a new stage or sequence of events. It lends an air of historical recounting, indicating that what follows is a significant event that occurred.
• in the days of (בִּימֵי, bîmey): Establishes the historical timeline and concurrent rule of these monarchs, situating the subsequent narrative within a specific era.
• Amraphel (אַמְרָפֶל, ’Amraphel): King of Shinar. The identity of Amraphel is debated among scholars, with some connecting him to Hammurabi, a famous Babylonian king, or other Mesopotamian rulers, due to phonetic similarities. The name's etymology is unclear but signifies his royal position over Shinar.
• king (מֶלֶךְ, melech): Signifies sovereignty, power, and authority. Each of the four individuals held ruling power over their respective domains, indicating a formalized political structure in the ancient world.
• Shinar (שִׁנְעָר, Shin‘ar): A significant region in Mesopotamia, associated with Sumer/Babylon (Gen 10:10, 11:2). It implies a powerful and established kingdom, reflecting the historical prominence of the Mesopotamian plain. The land of Babel and its tower (Gen 11) were also in Shinar.
• Arioch (אַרְיוֹךְ, ’Aryokh): King of Ellasar. Similar to Amraphel, his historical identity is debated. The name might have Hurrian or Sumerian origins. His inclusion broadens the coalition's geographical scope.
• Ellasar (אֶלָּסָר, ’Ellasar): Likely corresponds to the ancient city of Larsa, a major city-state in southern Mesopotamia, famous for its moon-god temple and strategic location on trade routes.
• Chedorlaomer (כְּדָרְלָעֹמֶר, Kedorla‘ōmer): King of Elam. His name is of Elamite origin, potentially meaning "servant of Lagamar," a significant Elamite goddess. He appears to be the most powerful and the coalition's leader. His prominence underscores Elam's strength.
• Elam (עֵילָם, ‘Êylam): An ancient kingdom situated east of Mesopotamia, in what is now southwestern Iran. Elam was a formidable military power known for its extensive campaigns into Mesopotamia. Its involvement highlights the far-reaching nature of this conflict.
• Tidal (תִּדְעָל, Tid‘al): King of Goiim. Tidal's name might be of Hittite origin (cf. Tudhaliya).
• Goiim (גּוֹיִם, Goyim): Literally means "nations" or "Gentiles." In this context, it may refer to a specific people group or confederacy, possibly a collective term for tribal groups without a clearly defined territorial kingdom, or a region of various peoples/nations. The use of this plural term adds to the distinctness of his rule over a diverse rather than a unified domain. This early usage introduces a term that later takes on theological significance, distinguishing Israel from other nations.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar": This phrase sets the historical anchor point. Shinar's identification grounds the narrative in Mesopotamian geography, known for powerful empires, making the entry of these kings plausible. Amraphel’s identity being ambiguous perhaps highlights the ephemeral nature of human power against God's eternal plan, or simply indicates names known in that era but not perfectly preserved in later, different imperial records.
• "Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim": The subsequent listing completes the powerful Eastern coalition. Elam’s prominence as a well-known ancient military force, combined with rulers from Sumerian-Akkadian regions, underscores the might facing the smaller city-states. The enigmatic "King of Goiim" could represent a nomadic confederacy or diverse tribes, adding a multi-ethnic dimension to the invaders, suggesting an all-encompassing threat. The precise naming of all four reinforces the idea of a significant historical event and not a fictional construct, despite difficulties in definitive archaeological identification of every single named individual today.

Genesis 14 1 Bonus section

The specific enumeration of these kings highlights an often-debated aspect of the patriarchal narratives: their historicity. While archaeological evidence for every figure mentioned, especially Amraphel and Arioch, has been challenging to find direct correlation, the geographical and political setting described aligns remarkably well with the geopolitics of the late 3rd/early 2nd millennium BCE, including the power of Elam and the city-states in Mesopotamia. The detail suggests a historical memory. The term "Goiim" for Tidal's realm is intriguing as it is the biblical word for "nations" or "gentiles," raising questions whether Tidal commanded a loose confederacy of diverse tribes, possibly even migrating peoples (like Hittites), or if it refers to a region by this descriptive name. This earliest instance of a powerful "King of Nations" setting forth on campaign anticipates God's later, deeper interaction and ultimate blessing with all the "Goiim" through Israel and, finally, through Christ.

Genesis 14 1 Commentary

Genesis 14:1 marks a dramatic shift in the patriarchal narrative, introducing a large-scale geopolitical conflict that serves as the immediate precursor to Abraham's direct involvement in the world's affairs. Far from being a mere chronological detail, this verse establishes the formidable and distant threat that will necessitate divine intervention through Abraham. The four Eastern kings represent established ancient powers from regions like Mesopotamia and Elam, suggesting a historical sweep that affects lesser city-states, like those where Lot resides.

The precise naming of these monarchs—Amraphel of Shinar, Arioch of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer of Elam, and Tidal of Goiim—lends a sense of historical realism and weight to the ensuing war. While complete extra-biblical confirmation for each name in precisely this combination is still debated, the places themselves (Shinar, Elam, Larsa) were significant regional players of the period. Chedorlaomer's primary role implies Elamite military dominance at the time, indicating their influence extended far beyond their typical borders, even over city-states on the Jordan Plain which paid them tribute for twelve years.

This verse lays the groundwork for Abraham to step out of his settled, pastoral life and engage with external political forces, albeit on behalf of his kinsman Lot. It also indirectly sets the stage for the highly significant meeting with Melchizedek, which only occurs because of Abraham's victory over these kings. Thus, these four kings, though presented as powerful, become unwitting instruments in the divine unfolding plan, leading to an important prefiguration of Christ. This underscores a broader biblical theme: God's sovereignty over all nations and their rulers, using even the actions of pagan kings to accomplish His redemptive purposes.