Genesis 14:9 kjv

With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.

Genesis 14:9 nkjv

against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar?four kings against five.

Genesis 14:9 niv

against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goyim, Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar?four kings against five.

Genesis 14:9 esv

with Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, four kings against five.

Genesis 14:9 nlt

They fought against King Kedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Babylonia, and King Arioch of Ellasar ? four kings against five.

Genesis 14 verses

Genesis 14 9 Meaning

Genesis 14:9 describes the opposing forces in the first major battle recorded in the Bible. It specifically lists the four northern kings who formed a formidable alliance against the five kings of the Cities of the Plain. The verse names Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, emphasizing that these four aggressive rulers were fighting "against the five" kings of the Sodom alliance. It sets the geopolitical stage, highlighting the military might and established authority of the invaders.

Genesis 14 9 Context

Genesis chapter 14 describes a significant military conflict, presenting the first major war account in the Bible. The broader context of the chapter is the ongoing narrative of Abraham's life and God's covenant with him. This specific verse, Genesis 14:9, functions as a roll call of the aggressor kings, detailing the leadership of the northern coalition that had subjugated the kings of the Jordan plain for twelve years. Their appearance signifies the culmination of their punitive expedition following the plain kings' rebellion in the thirteenth year (Gen 14:4).

Historically, the identification of these kings and their realms (Elam, Shinar, Ellasar, Gojim) generally aligns with the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East in the Middle Bronze Age (c. 2000-1500 BC). Elam (in modern Iran) was a significant power often interacting, and at times warring, with Mesopotamia. Shinar is the biblical name for Babylonia, a dominant Mesopotamian region, tying Amraphel to powerful Mesopotamian kings of the era (though his exact identity remains debated, often linked to Hammurabi or an earlier king). Ellasar could correspond to Larsa, a prominent Sumerian city-state, while "Gojim" could refer to a loose coalition of various peoples or a specific, powerful group like the Hittites. The mention of specific kings and territories, even those far from Canaan, provides a sense of the extensive reach of the conflict and adds historical verisimilitude to the account. This setting emphasizes that Abraham, a seemingly nomadic chieftain, was not operating in a historical vacuum but amidst complex international power dynamics, preparing the reader for his miraculous victory against these powerful entities.

Genesis 14 9 Word analysis

• against (אֶת - ʾet): This particle serves as a direct object marker, indicating that the kings listed are the target of the five kings of the plain's resistance. It can also signify "with," but in this combative context, "against" is the appropriate translation.
• Kedorlaomer (כְּדָרְלָעֹמֶר - Kĕdorla'ōmer): King of Elam. His name is Elamite in origin (possibly related to "servant of Lagamar," an Elamite goddess). He is presented as the primary aggressor and overlord, indicating the significant reach and power of Elam at this time, dominating Mesopotamian lands and extending influence far to the west.
• the king (מֶלֶךְ - melech): Standard Hebrew term for a monarch, signifying sovereignty and authority over a territory.
• of Elam (עֵילָם - ʿÊlām): An ancient kingdom situated east of Mesopotamia, in what is now southwestern Iran. Elam was known for its military might, particularly in archery, and frequently vied for dominance with Mesopotamian powers. Its mention underscores the formidable and distant origin of this attacking force.
• and against (וְאֵת - wĕʾēt): The conjunction "and" links the next king to Kedorlaomer's alliance, and ʾet again marks him as part of the opposition.
• Tidal (תִּדְעָל - Tiḏ'al): King of Gojim (nations). His identity is less certain than Kedorlaomer or Amraphel. "Gojim" literally means "nations" or "Gentiles." It could refer to a king of a confederation of diverse tribal peoples or a specific group that the Hebrews generically referred to as "the nations." Some scholarly theories suggest a link to Hittite figures or an area known for its mixture of peoples.
• king of nations (מֶלֶךְ גּוֹיִם - melech goyim): This title suggests dominion over a varied collection of peoples rather than a fixed territorial kingdom. It might indicate a mercenary leader or a tribal chief who consolidated power over various groups.
• and Amraphel (וְאֶת-אַמְרָפֶל - wĕʾēt 'Amrāphel): King of Shinar. Traditionally identified with Hammurabi of Babylon, though this remains debated among scholars due to chronological and textual challenges. If it is Hammurabi, it anchors the narrative to a powerful and well-documented figure of ancient Mesopotamian history.
• king of Shinar (מֶלֶךְ שִׁנְעָר - melech Shin'ār): Shinar is the biblical name for Babylonia (e.g., Gen 10:10, 11:2). It represents the heartland of Mesopotamia and its significant cultural and political influence. The king of Shinar indicates control over a central and historically important region.
• and Arioch (וְאֵת אָרְיוֹךְ - wĕʾēt 'Āryôk): King of Ellasar. Arioch is a Sumerian or Hurrian name.
• king of Ellasar (מֶלֶךְ אֶלָּסָר - melech Ellāsār): Ellasar is often identified with Larsa, a major city-state in southern Mesopotamia, a significant power rivaling Babel during parts of the Old Babylonian period. The naming of specific city-states strengthens the geographical and historical details of the account.
• four kings (אַרְבָּעָה מְלָכִים - ʾarbāʿāh məlākîm): Clearly states the number of allied kings. This highlights the united and coordinated power of the aggressors.
• against the five (אֶת-הַחֲמִשָּׁה - ʾet haḥămishshāh): Refers to the five kings of the Cities of the Plain (Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela/Zoar, mentioned in Gen 14:2-3). This numerical contrast (four formidable invaders against five weaker, rebellious vassals) sets the stage for a dramatic conflict where the "underdogs" (the five) are at a significant disadvantage, having already been subjugated for 12 years. It implicitly highlights the invaders' strength and effectiveness, despite being fewer in number of leaders, and underscores the severity of the threat that Abraham would later overcome.

Genesis 14 9 Bonus section

The specific enumeration "four kings against five" not only highlights the precise historical memory preserved in the account but also sets up a literary tension. Though fewer in number of kings, the four are portrayed as the superior, dominating force, having held the five in subjugation for over a decade. This numerical contrast paradoxically emphasizes the formidable might of the northern invaders, making their initial victory, and more significantly, Abraham's subsequent single-handed (or, more accurately, divinely assisted) defeat of them, even more profound. It demonstrates that victory in battle is not inherently dependent on numerical advantage (as echoed in Ps 33:16-17), but ultimately on divine favor and strength. The careful detailing of foreign kings and their origins also authenticates the historical claims of Genesis to its original audience, grounding Abraham's story within a larger, well-understood geopolitical reality.

Genesis 14 9 Commentary

Genesis 14:9 is a concise but highly informative verse, crucial for understanding the immediate conflict Abraham faces. It functions as a meticulous registry of the main antagonists—the powerful alliance that invaded Canaan. By naming Kedorlaomer of Elam, Tidal of Gojim, Amraphel of Shinar, and Arioch of Ellasar, the biblical text underscores the vast geographical scope and formidable political power represented by these kings. These are not mere local skirmishes, but an encounter with the dominant imperial forces of their day, asserting their control over distant vassals. The detail that it was "four kings against five" immediately highlights a numerical discrepancy that the invaders successfully leveraged; their effective coordination and might overshadowed the slight numerical superiority of the southern alliance. This prepares the reader for the later intervention of Abraham. His victory against such an established and victorious coalition (already having defeated the five) serves as a profound testimony to divine empowerment and the faith of God's chosen servant, rather than mere military prowess. The passage sets the historical stage for a grand narrative of God's providence, showing that even the greatest human powers are subject to the unfolding of God's plan through His chosen ones.