The latter five came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). All these latter kingsThis phrase refers to the coalition of kings mentioned earlier in Genesis 14. The Hebrew word for "kings" is "מְלָכִים" (melachim), which denotes rulers or sovereigns. In the ancient Near Eastern context, kings often formed alliances for mutual protection or to wage war. This coalition reflects the political dynamics of the time, where city-states and small kingdoms frequently engaged in warfare and alliances to maintain power and control over territories. joined forces
The Hebrew root for "joined forces" is "חָבַר" (chabar), meaning to ally or unite. This action signifies a strategic alliance, emphasizing the necessity of unity in the face of a common threat. In the biblical narrative, such alliances often foreshadow significant events, underscoring the importance of cooperation and shared goals among leaders. This unity among the kings serves as a backdrop for the unfolding drama involving Abram, highlighting the contrast between worldly alliances and divine intervention. in the Valley of Siddim
The "Valley of Siddim" is identified with the area near the Dead Sea. The Hebrew "שִׂדִּים" (Siddim) suggests a plain or field, possibly indicating a fertile area before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Archaeological evidence suggests that this region was once more hospitable, supporting the biblical account of its transformation. The valley's mention sets the stage for the battle and subsequent events, illustrating the transient nature of earthly power and the enduring consequences of sin. (that is, the Salt Sea)
The "Salt Sea" refers to the Dead Sea, known for its high salinity and inhospitable environment. The Hebrew "יָם הַמֶּלַח" (Yam HaMelach) literally means "Sea of Salt." This geographical marker not only provides historical context but also symbolizes desolation and judgment. In the biblical narrative, the Salt Sea serves as a reminder of God's judgment on sin, as seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. It underscores the theme of divine justice and the ultimate futility of human endeavors apart from God. Persons / Places / Events 1. Kings of the Valley of SiddimThis refers to the coalition of kings who joined forces in the Valley of Siddim. These kings were part of a larger account involving a battle between different regional powers. 2. Valley of SiddimThis is the location where the kings gathered. It is identified with the Salt Sea, known today as the Dead Sea. The valley was significant for its strategic and economic importance. 3. The Salt Sea (Dead Sea)A body of water known for its high salinity, located in the Jordan Rift Valley. It serves as a geographical marker in the biblical account. 4. Coalition of KingsThe alliance of kings mentioned in this verse is part of a larger conflict involving the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, among others, against Chedorlaomer and his allies. 5. ChedorlaomerAlthough not mentioned directly in this verse, he is a central figure in the surrounding account, leading the opposing coalition against the kings of the Valley of Siddim. Teaching Points The Importance of AlliancesAlliances can be powerful, but they must be grounded in righteousness. The coalition in Genesis 14 was ultimately unsuccessful because it was not aligned with God's purposes. Geographical Significance in ScriptureUnderstanding the geographical context, such as the Valley of Siddim, can enhance our comprehension of biblical events and their implications. God's Sovereignty in Human AffairsDespite human alliances and conflicts, God's sovereign plan prevails. This encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate control over world events. The Consequences of SinThe involvement of Sodom and Gomorrah in this coalition foreshadows their later destruction, reminding us of the consequences of living in opposition to God's will. Spiritual WarfareJust as physical battles occurred in the Valley of Siddim, believers are engaged in spiritual battles. Ephesians 6 reminds us to put on the full armor of God. Bible Study Questions 1. What can we learn from the alliances formed in Genesis 14:3 about the nature of human relationships and their impact on history? 2. How does the geographical setting of the Valley of Siddim enhance our understanding of the events in Genesis 14? 3. In what ways does the account of Genesis 14:3-4 foreshadow the later judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah, and what lessons can we draw from this? 4. How can the concept of God's sovereignty, as seen in the events of Genesis 14, provide comfort and guidance in our personal lives today? 5. What parallels can we draw between the physical battles in Genesis 14 and the spiritual battles described in Ephesians 6, and how can we apply this understanding to our daily walk with Christ? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 19The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is connected to the events in Genesis 14, as these cities were part of the coalition in the Valley of Siddim. Psalm 83This psalm speaks of alliances and conflicts among nations, echoing the themes of coalition and warfare found in Genesis 14. Revelation 16The gathering of kings for battle in the end times can be seen as a parallel to the gathering of kings in Genesis 14, highlighting themes of conflict and divine intervention. People Abram, Amalekites, Amorites, Amraphel, Aner, Arioch, Bela, Bera, Birsha, Chedorlaomer, Dan, Elam, Emites, Eshcol, Ham, Horites, Lot, Mamre, Melchisedec, Melchizedek, Rephaites, Seir, Shemeber, Shinab, Tamar, Tidal, Zoar, Zuzims, ZuzitesPlaces Admah, Ashteroth-karnaim, Bela, Damascus, Dan, Elam, Ellasar, El-paran, En-mishpat, Gomorrah, Ham, Hazazon-tamar, Kadesh-barnea, King's Valley, Oaks of Mamre, Salem, Salt Sea, Seir, Shaveh-kiriathaim, Shinar, Sodom, Valley of Shaveh, Valley of Siddim, Zeboiim, ZoarTopics Allies, Forces, Joined, Kings, Salt, Siddim, Vale, ValleyDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 14:3 4266 sea
4357 salt Genesis 14:1-3 5205 alliance Genesis 14:1-24 4224 cities of the plain Genesis 14:3-4 6224 rebellion, against authority Library An Example of Faith
'Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureJerusalem
The first name of this city was Shalem, Genesis 14:18, Psalm 76:2, and it is still retained in the writing, however it is read Jerushalaim. "The name of that place is Jehovah-jireh. Abraham called the place Jireh; Shem called it Shalem. Saith God, If I shall call it Jireh, it will displease Shem the Just; if I shall call it Shalem, it will displease Abraham the Just. I will therefore put that name upon it which was put upon it by both, Jireh, Shalem,--Jerusalem."--"We do not, therefore, put Jod between …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Meditations for Household Piety.
1. If thou be called to the government of a family, thou must not hold it sufficient to serve God and live uprightly in thy own person, unless thou cause all under thy charge to do the same with thee. For the performance of this duty God was so well pleased with Abraham, that he would not hide from him his counsel: "For," saith God, "I know him that he will command his sons and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Tithing
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Mal. 3:10). Down deep in the heart of every Christian there is undoubtedly the conviction that he ought to tithe. There is an uneasy feeling that this is a duty which has been neglected, or, if you prefer it, a privilege that has not been …
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing Bethphage
There is very frequent mention of this place in the Talmudists: and, certainly, a more careful comparison of the maps with those things which are said by them of the situation of this place is worthy to be made; when they place it in mount Olivet, these make it contiguous to the buildings of Jerusalem. I. In the place cited in the margin, the case "of a stubborn judge" (or elder) is handling. For when, by the prescript of the law, difficult matters, and such things as concerning which the lower councils …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
SYRIA AT THE BEGINNING OF THE EGYPTIAN CONQUEST NINEVEH AND THE FIRST COSSAEAN KINGS-THE PEOPLES OF SYRIA, THEIR TOWNS, THEIR CIVILIZATION, THEIR RELIGION-PHOENICIA. The dynasty of Uruazagga-The Cossseans: their country, their gods, their conquest of Chaldaea-The first sovereigns of Assyria, and the first Cossaean Icings: Agumhakrime. The Egyptian names for Syria: Khara, Zahi, Lotanu, Kefatiu-The military highway from the Nile to the Euphrates: first section from Zalu to Gaza-The Canaanites: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4 Moses and his Writings
[Illustration: (drop cap W) Clay letter tablet of Moses' time.] We now begin to understand a little of the very beginning of God's Book--of the times in which it was written, the materials used by its first author, and the different kinds of writing from which he had to choose; but we must go a step farther. How much did Moses know about the history of his forefathers, Abraham and Jacob, and of all the old nations and kings mentioned in Genesis, before God called him to the great work of writing …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making The Pioneer's Influence Upon a Nation's Ideals.
ABRAHAM, THE TRADITIONAL FATHER OF HIS RACE.--Gen. 12:1-8; 13:1-13; 16; 18, 19; 21:7; 22:1-19. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible I, 73-94. Prin of Pol., 160-175. Jehovah said to Abraham, Go forth from thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, to the land that I will show thee, that I may make of thee a great nation; and I will surely bless thee, and make thy name great, so that thou shalt be a blessing, I will also bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4 The Gospel Feast
"When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?"--John vi. 5. After these words the Evangelist adds, "And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Thus, you see, our Lord had secret meanings when He spoke, and did not bring forth openly all His divine sense at once. He knew what He was about to do from the first, but He wished to lead forward His disciples, and to arrest and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII The Promise to the Patriarchs.
A great epoch is, in Genesis, ushered in with the history of the time of the Patriarchs. Luther says: "This is the third period in which Holy Scripture begins the history of the Church with a new family." In a befitting manner, the representation is opened in Gen. xii. 1-3 by an account of the first revelation of God, given to Abraham at Haran, in which the way is opened up for all that follows, and in which the dispensations of God are brought before us in a rapid survey. Abraham is to forsake …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Tithing
There are few subjects on which the Lord's own people are more astray than on the subject of giving. They profess to take the Bible as their own rule of faith and practice, and yet in the matter of Christian finance, the vast majority have utterly ignored its plain teachings and have tried every substitute the carnal mind could devise; therefore it is no wonder that the majority of Christian enterprises in the world today are handicapped and crippled through the lack of funds. Is our giving to be …
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665 …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 14:3 NIVGenesis 14:3 NLTGenesis 14:3 ESVGenesis 14:3 NASBGenesis 14:3 KJV
Genesis 14:3 Commentaries
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