Genesis 14:6 kjv

And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness.

Genesis 14:6 nkjv

and the Horites in their mountain of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is by the wilderness.

Genesis 14:6 niv

and the Horites in the hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran near the desert.

Genesis 14:6 esv

and the Horites in their hill country of Seir as far as El-paran on the border of the wilderness.

Genesis 14:6 nlt

and the Horites at Mount Seir, as far as El-paran at the edge of the wilderness.

Genesis 14 verses

Genesis 14 6 Meaning

Genesis 14:6 details a crucial phase of the campaign led by Chedorlaomer and his allied Eastern kings. It describes their military thrust deep into the southern lands, where they defeated the Horites in their native territory of Mount Seir, and then continued their advance as far as El-paran, a landmark situated near the wilderness. This verse highlights the extensive geographical reach and the formidable military power of the invading alliance, showing their domination over established peoples and distant lands.

Genesis 14 6 Context

Genesis chapter 14 describes the first significant military engagement recorded in the Bible. A powerful alliance of four Eastern kings, led by Chedorlaomer, launched a punitive expedition against five city-states in the Jordan Valley who had rebelled after twelve years of servitude. Before engaging the primary rebel targets, the Eastern kings executed a sweeping southern campaign to secure their flanks and perhaps assert broader regional dominance. This pre-emptive strike, detailed in verses 5-7, targeted various established ethnic groups and regions. Verse 6 specifically traces their march after defeating the Emim, focusing on their conquest of the Horites in the mountainous terrain of Seir, extending their reach deeply southward to El-paran near the vast Arabian wilderness. This aggressive military maneuvering showcased the overwhelming strength and strategic precision of Chedorlaomer's alliance, foreshadowing the imminent fall of the Jordan Valley kings and Lot's capture, which would prompt Abram's heroic intervention.

Historically, the "Horites" are widely associated with the Hurrians, a significant ethno-linguistic group in the ancient Near East. Their presence in the rugged Mount Seir region (later known as Edom) highlights the ethnic diversity and complex geopolitical landscape of the ancient Levant. Mount Seir, deriving its name likely from its "hairy" or "shaggy" appearance due to its forested slopes and rough terrain, was a strategically important area, controlling routes south of the Dead Sea. El-paran served as a key oasis or landmark deep within the Arabian wilderness, indicating the extreme southern limit of their campaign before they pivoted northwards. This historical record also establishes the pre-Edomite inhabitants of Seir, providing an ancient backdrop for later biblical accounts of Esau's descendants dispossessing the Horites by divine decree.

Genesis 14 6 Word analysis

• And: (Hebrew: וְאֶת, ve'et) - Connects this action seamlessly with the preceding verse (Gen 14:5), indicating a continuous and methodical campaign.
• the Horites: (Hebrew: הַחֹרִי, ha-Chori) - Refers to a specific indigenous people. The Hebrew term could mean "cave-dweller," perhaps descriptive of their lifestyle in mountainous terrain, or relate to the larger Hurrian ethnic group known in the ancient Near East. Their defeat here highlights a powerful invading force.
• in their: (Hebrew: בְּהַרְרָם, b'harram) - "In their mountain." The possessive suffix "their" emphasizes that Mount Seir was the established, recognized territory of the Horites, underscoring the nature of the invasion as a dispossession or violent assertion of control over existing inhabitants.
• Mount Seir: (Hebrew: שֵׂעִיר, Se'ir) - A rugged, mountainous region located southeast of the Dead Sea. It would later become the homeland of Esau (Edomites), signaling a continuity of geographic significance but a change in ethnic inhabitants. Its "shaggy" or "hairy" name likely describes its terrain.
• unto: (Hebrew: עַד, ad) - Specifies the extent or furthest point reached by the invading army in this leg of their campaign, denoting their extreme southern penetration.
• El-paran: (Hebrew: אֵיל פָּארָן, Eil Paran) - A geographical landmark or oasis. "El" can refer to a mighty tree (e.g., terebinth) or potentially "God" (divine). "Paran" denotes a large, desolate wilderness area that played a significant role in Israel's wilderness wanderings, signifying a remote and harsh environment.
• which is: (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר, asher) - A relative pronoun, clarifying the location of El-paran in relation to the wilderness.
• by the wilderness: (Hebrew: עַל־הַמִּדְבָּר, al-hammidbar) - "Alongside the wilderness." This further specifies El-paran's location at the edge or within a vast, uncultivated, arid region, emphasizing the impressive depth of the Eastern kings' military penetration.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And the Horites in their Mount Seir": This phrase details the initial targets and their geographic stronghold. It's significant because it identifies the original inhabitants of a region that later became crucial to Israel's ancestral lineage (through Esau) and establishes their pre-existing presence before any Adomite claim. The conquering of "their" mount asserts the foreign kings' overwhelming military superiority over established peoples.
• "unto El-paran, which is by the wilderness": This highlights the impressive and exhaustive nature of the invading army's sweep. Reaching El-paran, deep into a significant wilderness area, underscores their military might, strategic planning, and determination to secure or neutralize all potential threats along their flanks before confronting the main rebellious cities. It marks the logistical extreme of this specific phase of their operation.

Genesis 14 6 Bonus section

• Ancient Toponymy and Reality: The precise geographic references like Mount Seir and El-paran, despite being ancient, correlate remarkably well with later biblical accounts and archaeological inferences for these regions, lending credibility to the historical grounding of the narrative within Genesis. This is distinct from more mythical or purely legendary ancient accounts.
• Military Strategy: The route described in Gen 14:5-7, starting with the eastern kings striking south before turning north, reflects a sound military strategy. By first securing the south and punishing other rebellious or powerful entities, they ensured no surprise attacks or reinforcements could come from those regions when they later engaged the Jordan Valley kings.
• Vulnerability of Established Peoples: The casual mention of "routing" the Horites alongside other groups signifies the ease with which these powerful eastern kings subjugated peoples established in their homelands. This portrays the immense power dynamic of the period, where regional dominance could be swiftly challenged and overthrown.

Genesis 14 6 Commentary

Genesis 14:6 functions as a critical logistical marker within the unfolding military narrative, tracing the profound reach and methodical advance of the powerful Eastern alliance. By systematically conquering diverse peoples like the Horites in Mount Seir and extending their campaign to the distant El-paran in the wilderness, Chedorlaomer's coalition demonstrates not only overwhelming military superiority but also strategic foresight. Their actions here ensured their flanks were secured and rebellious factions to the south were neutralized before they pivoted northward to deal with the primary insurgent city-states in the Jordan Valley. The vivid geographical details, "Mount Seir" and "El-paran," serve to authenticate the ancient narrative, painting a picture of an empire with immense power, capable of penetrating deep into established tribal lands and remote, arduous desert regions. This meticulous recounting of the Horites' defeat foreshadows future biblical events, particularly the eventual divine orchestration of their displacement by Esau's descendants. Thus, the verse provides critical context for understanding the geopolitical landscape, the formidable adversaries Abram would face, and subtly hints at God's sovereign hand at play in the affairs of nations, even in what appears to be a purely human military conquest.