Genesis 14:10 kjv

And the vale of Siddim was full of slime pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.

Genesis 14:10 nkjv

Now the Valley of Siddim was full of asphalt pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled; some fell there, and the remainder fled to the mountains.

Genesis 14:10 niv

Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell into them and the rest fled to the hills.

Genesis 14:10 esv

Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country.

Genesis 14:10 nlt

As it happened, the valley of the Dead Sea was filled with tar pits. And as the army of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into the tar pits, while the rest escaped into the mountains.

Genesis 14 verses

Genesis 14 10 Meaning

Genesis 14:10 describes a critical moment in the battle between the Eastern kings and the kings of the Plain, specifically highlighting the treacherous terrain. It states that the Valley of Siddim, where the battle occurred, was abundant with bitumen pits. During their flight from the invading forces, the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, along with some of their men, fell into these natural tar pits, suffering either death, capture, or being trapped. However, others among the defeated army who survived this immediate danger managed to flee to the mountainous regions for safety. This verse sets the scene for the vulnerability of the cities of the plain and their leadership, foreshadowing their ultimate downfall.

Genesis 14 10 Context

Genesis chapter 14 describes a significant historical event preceding the more personal narrative of Abraham and Lot. It details the War of the Kings, where four Eastern kings led by Kedorlaomer conquered various cities and lands, including the rebellious cities of the Plain (Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela/Zoar). Verse 10 specifically sets the scene for the battle involving the kings of the Plain against Kedorlaomer and his allies in the Valley of Siddim. This valley is later understood to be associated with the area where the Dead Sea formed or now covers, indicating its low-lying, treacherous nature. The defeat of Sodom and Gomorrah's kings in this natural trap highlights their vulnerability, their dependence on a fertile but dangerous environment, and sets the stage for Lot's capture and Abraham's subsequent heroic intervention. It's a key point emphasizing the perilous state of the wicked cities before God's ultimate judgment.

Genesis 14 10 Word analysis

• Now the Valley of Siddim (וְעֵמֶק הַשִּׂדִּים - ve'Emeq ha-Siddim):

  • עֵמֶק (emek): Hebrew for "valley" or "plain." This refers to a specific geographic depression, emphasizing a low-lying area.
  • שִּׂדִּים (Siddim): Likely means "plains" or "fields." So, "Valley of Fields/Plains." Its exact location is debated but strongly associated with the southern part of the Dead Sea, suggesting a once-fertile but now treacherous region.
  • Significance: Identifies the battlefield as a specific, dangerous geological area. It sets the scene for natural hazards contributing to the battle's outcome.

• was full of bitumen pits (בְּאֵרֹת בְּאֵרֹת חֵמָר - be'erot be'erot chemar):

  • בְּאֵרֹת (be'erot): Hebrew for "pits" or "wells." The repetition be'erot be'erot (literally "pits, pits") emphasizes their abundance or extent – "full of pits" or "many pits." This is an intensifying poetic device.
  • חֵמָר (chemar): Hebrew for "bitumen," "pitch," "asphalt," or "tar." This substance is naturally occurring in the region (near the Dead Sea) due to oil seepage. It's sticky, black, and can be dangerous, especially when soft or liquid-like.
  • Significance: This detail is crucial. It describes the physical, treacherous landscape. These pits were natural traps, a military disadvantage for those trying to maneuver or flee across them. It highlights a pre-existing natural hazard.

• and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled (וַיָּנֻסוּ מַלְכֵי סְדֹם וַעֲמֹרָה - vayyanusu malchei Sodom va'Amorah):

  • וַיָּנֻסוּ (vayyanusu): From the root nus, "to flee" or "to escape." It indicates rapid, urgent retreat due to fear or defeat.
  • Significance: Shows the immediate outcome of the battle from the perspective of the kings of the Plain: defeat and panicked flight. These were leaders in peril.

• and fell there (וַיִּפְּלוּ שָׁמָּה - vayyippelu shammah):

  • וַיִּפְּלוּ (vayyippelu): From the root naphal, "to fall." In context, this implies falling into the pits, meaning they were trapped, incapacitated, possibly captured, or even died.
  • שָׁמָּה (shammah): Hebrew for "there" (locative adverb), specifically pointing to the bitumen pits.
  • Significance: This is the grim fate for some of the defeated leaders. Their attempt to escape led them into another natural danger, a stark illustration of being caught between a rock and a hard place. It signifies being trapped by the environment during a panicked retreat.

• but those who survived (וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִים - veha-nishw'arim):

  • וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִים (veha-nishw'arim): From the root sha'ar, "to remain," "to be left over." This refers to a "remnant" or "survivors."
  • Significance: Even in disaster, some survive. This introduces the biblical theme of a "remnant," a few who escape destruction, whether by divine intervention or simply fortune.

• fled to the mountains (נָסוּ הֶהָרָה - nasu heharah):

  • נָסוּ (nasu): Also from the root nus, "to flee." It reinforces their ongoing flight.
  • הֶהָרָה (heharah): "To the mountain" or "to the hill country." Mountains were typically seen as places of refuge and natural fortresses, offering escape from flatland dangers.
  • Significance: Contrasts with the fate of those who fell. The mountains provided an escape route and a temporary haven, highlighting a common strategy in ancient warfare for retreat and regrouping. This also subtly links to Lot's flight later.

Genesis 14 10 Bonus section

The geological characteristic of the Dead Sea region, particularly its bitumen deposits, has been attested by ancient writers and modern geological surveys, making the biblical description historically plausible. The "bitumen pits" were likely sinkholes or shallow depressions where viscous tar accumulated, posing a serious threat to those moving quickly through the terrain. The presence of these pits in the "Valley of Siddim" connects this specific historical battle to the later fate of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19), implying that the entire region, once fertile (Gen 13:10), was inherently unstable or held the elements of its own natural demise. The collapse into the pits might symbolize the eventual total downfall of these corrupt cities, trapped and overwhelmed not just by human armies, but by the very ground beneath them. This detail showcases the Bible's historical accuracy in depicting geographical nuances, adding depth to the narrative of judgment and escape.

Genesis 14 10 Commentary

Genesis 14:10 is a pivotal verse that subtly emphasizes several profound truths. First, it highlights the perilous nature of the "Valley of Siddim," a place defined by its abundant bitumen pits. This seemingly natural detail serves as a foreshadowing; even before divine judgment, the very land upon which Sodom and Gomorrah were built, and which supported their wealth, held an inherent, literal trap. The "many pits" signify an inescapable danger for those fleeing a battle, reflecting the notion that the way of the wicked can lead to hidden pitfalls (Ps 7:15).

Second, the fate of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah falling into these pits speaks to their leadership's vulnerability and ultimately their incapacity to protect their people from immediate earthly threats, let alone from future divine judgment. Their panicked flight from earthly conquerors led them into a geographical snare, an irony that resonates with the broader biblical narrative of the ungodly being ensnared by their own circumstances (Prov 11:6).

Lastly, the survival of "those who survived" and fled to the mountains introduces the biblical concept of a "remnant"—individuals or groups who, through various means, escape general destruction or catastrophe. The mountains, traditionally places of refuge and safety (Matt 24:16; Rev 6:15), offered them temporary deliverance. This entire scene serves as a dramatic setup, painting a vivid picture of vulnerability and human impotence, prior to Abraham's divine mission and the later, ultimate divine judgment on these cities. It demonstrates that earthly perils can prelude divine reckoning.