Genesis 14:8 kjv

And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;

Genesis 14:8 nkjv

And the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and joined together in battle in the Valley of Siddim

Genesis 14:8 niv

Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboyim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) marched out and drew up their battle lines in the Valley of Siddim

Genesis 14:8 esv

Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out, and they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim

Genesis 14:8 nlt

Then the rebel kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (also called Zoar) prepared for battle in the valley of the Dead Sea.

Genesis 14 verses

Genesis 14 8 Meaning

This verse describes the five Canaanite city-state kings of the Valley of Siddim (Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela/Zoar) actively preparing for war. It marks their unified stand and military deployment against the coalition of Mesopotamian kings led by Kedorlaomer, signaling the beginning of the great battle anticipated in the preceding narrative. It highlights their defiance and the imminent clash between the powerful Eastern invaders and the rebellious kings of the Jordan plain.

Genesis 14 8 Context

Genesis chapter 14 describes the first recorded full-scale war in the Bible, occurring between a coalition of four powerful Eastern kings and five city-states of the Jordan Plain. These five city-states had been vassals of Kedorlaomer of Elam for twelve years, paying tribute. In the thirteenth year, they rebelled. Verse 8 marks the crucial point where, in the fourteenth year, these rebellious kings actively assemble their forces in anticipation of the retaliatory strike by the Mesopotamian coalition. It sets the stage for the dramatic rescue of Lot by Abraham, demonstrating Abraham's courage and God's power. This chapter also introduces Melchizedek, setting a precedent for a unique priesthood, and emphasizes Abraham's integrity in refusing spoils of war. The conflict underscores the moral decay of the cities of the plain, which would later face ultimate divine judgment.

Genesis 14 8 Word analysis

• Then (וַיֵּצֵא, vayyēṣēʼ): Hebrew conjunction indicating sequential action, showing these kings "went out" immediately following the gathering of their enemies and their own earlier rebellion. It is part of the "waw consecutive" construction, common in narrative, propelling the story forward.
• the king (מֶלֶךְ, meleḵ): Repeated for each city, emphasizing the individual leadership and sovereignty of each city-state, yet united in their immediate objective. It denotes their established political authority.
• of Sodom (סְדֹם, Səḏōm): Foremost among the cities due to its notorious wickedness (Gen 13:13) and later destruction (Gen 19). It symbolizes profound moral corruption and divine judgment.
• the king of Gomorrah (עֲמֹרָה, ʿĂmōrāh): Often paired with Sodom, representing another key city destined for divine wrath due to similar sin.
• the king of Admah (אַדְמָה, ʾAḏmāh): One of the cities of the plain; later cited in prophecy (Deut 29:23, Hos 11:8) as an example of utter desolation by divine judgment.
• the king of Zeboiim (צְבֹיִם, Ṣəḇōyim): Another of the four primary "cities of the plain" marked for destruction (Deut 29:23, Hos 11:8), indicating a region of widespread moral failure.
• and the king of Bela (בֶּלַע, Belaʿ): Original name of the city. The name Belaʿ can be associated with 'swallowing' or 'devouring,' perhaps hinting at its precarious existence.
• (that is, Zoar) (צֹעַר, Ṣōʿar): A parenthetical explanation, meaning 'little' or 'insignificant'. This re-naming becomes significant in Genesis 19:20-22, where Lot pleads for this city to be spared from destruction because of its "smallness." The inclusion of both names suggests a later scribal note to identify the city for contemporary readers or to highlight its preserved status.
• went out (יָצָא, yātsāʾ): Signifies an active, intentional military mobilization. They moved from their strongholds to engage in open combat.
• and arrayed themselves (וַיַּעַרְכוּ, vayyaʿarḵû): Hebrew verb ʿāraḵ, meaning 'to set in order,' 'to arrange,' specifically in a military context 'to draw up for battle.' It shows a deliberate, organized preparation and display of their combined military strength.
• for battle (מִלְחָמָה, milḥāmāh): The stated purpose of their action – engagement in organized warfare. This emphasizes the seriousness and direct nature of the confrontation.
• in the Valley of Siddim (עֵמֶק הַשִּׂדִּים, ʿÊmeq haśśiddîm): The specific geographical location of the impending battle. The name Siddim likely refers to 'fields' or 'clods of earth,' but its association with bitumen pits (Gen 14:10) is paramount for understanding the subsequent events of the battle, highlighting a natural vulnerability.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar)": This litany of kings and their cities underscores the collective front against Kedorlaomer. Their enumeration emphasizes the unity of the five rebel states. The immediate grouping highlights their combined worldly power, though later contrasted with their moral corruption.
• "went out and arrayed themselves for battle": This phrase captures the immediate, active, and prepared stance of the kings. It signifies their aggressive intent to defend their freedom and their material wealth from the invaders. The dual verbs show movement out to the place of conflict and then meticulous preparation at that place, displaying confidence in their military organization.
• "in the Valley of Siddim": This geographical detail is crucial. It is not merely a battlefield but a specific area known for bitumen pits (Gen 14:10). This foreshadows a key weakness for these kings, as their unpreparedness for this topographical hazard would lead to their defeat. The setting implicitly underscores God's sovereignty over natural features, which can become instruments of judgment or deliverance.

Genesis 14 8 Bonus section

The historical and archaeological evidence regarding Genesis 14 is debated, with some scholars viewing it as a legendary narrative. However, many conservative scholars maintain its historical accuracy, pointing to the consistency of the socio-political structures and geographical details described with what is known of the Middle Bronze Age Ancient Near East. The four kings from the East resemble documented coalition practices and powerful empires of the period, making such a punitive expedition plausible. The precise identification of the "cities of the plain" is still discussed, but evidence of an active and fertile region in the southern Dead Sea area supports the biblical description of the Valley of Siddim prior to its catastrophic destruction. The account in Gen 14:8 also implicitly highlights the difference between those who rely on worldly might (the kings of the plain) and Abraham, who, though initially relying on military force (to rescue Lot), ultimately gives glory to the Most High God, possessing heaven and earth, acknowledging that victory came from divine intervention, not just human strength. This war foreshadows the broader spiritual warfare theme in the Bible, where the arraying of human forces is insufficient against the plans of God.

Genesis 14 8 Commentary

Genesis 14:8 is a pivotal verse that sets the stage for a dramatic conflict, portraying the collective military resolve of the five rebellious Canaanite city-states against the Mesopotamian invaders. The careful enumeration of each king and city highlights their unified front, demonstrating a considerable force amassed for their independence. Their act of "going out and arraying themselves for battle" speaks of their deliberate military preparedness and courage, confronting the previously undefeated Kedorlaomer.

However, beneath this show of strength lies a stark contrast. These are the "cities of the plain," infamous for their profound wickedness and sin, a detail established in previous chapters and emphasized in subsequent biblical accounts. Their display of military might is presented without any divine blessing or moral backing. The detailed mention of the "Valley of Siddim" immediately following their arrayment for battle serves as subtle narrative foreshadowing; this valley, with its hidden bitumen pits (as revealed in the next verse), will prove to be the unexpected downfall of these well-prepared kings. This detail hints at the inadequacy of human strength and planning when juxtaposed with the circumstances God allows. This battle is a precursor to their eventual, greater judgment by God, where fire and brimstone will be the final verdict on their pervasive wickedness, with Zoar, notably, spared as an act of divine grace for Lot. The verse, therefore, captures a moment of earthly power challenging a greater force, but ultimately foreshadows its tragic end.