In those days Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim In those daysThis phrase sets the historical context, indicating a specific period in the ancient Near East. It suggests a time when tribal and city-state kings were common, and alliances were often formed for mutual benefit or conquest. The phrase invites readers to consider the historical and cultural backdrop of the patriarchal era, a time when God's chosen people were beginning to establish their identity amidst surrounding nations. Amraphel king of Shinar
"Amraphel" is a name that has intrigued scholars, with some associating it with Hammurabi, the famous Babylonian king, though this is debated. "Shinar" is often identified with the region of ancient Mesopotamia, specifically Babylon. This highlights the geopolitical significance of the area, known for its early advancements in civilization and its role as a center of power and culture. The mention of Shinar connects the narrative to the broader biblical theme of Babylon as a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God. Arioch king of Ellasar
"Arioch" is a name that appears elsewhere in ancient texts, suggesting a historical basis for the character. "Ellasar" is less clearly identified but is thought to be a city or region in Mesopotamia. This reference underscores the interconnectedness of ancient Near Eastern politics, where local rulers often engaged in alliances and conflicts. It also reflects the biblical theme of God's sovereignty over all nations, regardless of their power or influence. Kedorlaomer king of Elam
"Kedorlaomer" is a name of Elamite origin, indicating a ruler from Elam, an ancient kingdom located to the east of Mesopotamia, in what is now southwestern Iran. Elam was a significant power in the region, known for its military prowess. The inclusion of Kedorlaomer in this coalition highlights the far-reaching influence and ambition of these kings. It also sets the stage for the unfolding narrative of God's intervention in the affairs of nations, demonstrating His ultimate authority. Tidal king of Goiim
"Tidal" is a name that some scholars associate with Hittite or Anatolian origins, though its exact identification remains uncertain. "Goiim" is a Hebrew term meaning "nations" or "peoples," suggesting a coalition of various tribes or groups. This phrase emphasizes the diversity and complexity of ancient political landscapes, where alliances were often fluid and based on mutual interests. It also reflects the biblical theme of God's concern for all nations, as He works through history to fulfill His purposes. Persons / Places / Events 1. Amraphel, King of ShinarAmraphel is identified as the king of Shinar, an ancient region often associated with Babylon. The name "Amraphel" may be linked to Hammurabi, a well-known Babylonian king, though this is debated among scholars. 2. Arioch, King of EllasarArioch is the king of Ellasar, a location that is not definitively identified but is thought to be in Mesopotamia. The name "Arioch" means "lion-like" in Hebrew. 3. Chedorlaomer, King of ElamChedorlaomer is the king of Elam, an ancient civilization located in what is now southwestern Iran. He is the leader of the coalition of kings mentioned in this passage. 4. Tidal, King of GoiimTidal is described as the king of Goiim, which means "nations" or "peoples" in Hebrew. This suggests he may have ruled over a confederation of tribes or peoples. 5. The Coalition of KingsThis event marks the beginning of a significant military campaign involving these four kings, which leads to the Battle of the Valley of Siddim and the subsequent rescue of Lot by Abram. Teaching Points The Reality of Spiritual WarfareJust as Abram faced physical battles, believers today face spiritual battles. Ephesians 6 reminds us to put on the full armor of God to stand against spiritual forces. God's Sovereignty Over NationsThe coalition of kings demonstrates that God is sovereign over all nations and rulers. Proverbs 21:1 reminds us that the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord. The Importance of AlliancesThe alliances formed by these kings can serve as a reminder to choose our associations wisely, as 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns that bad company corrupts good character. Faith in ActionAbram's response to the capture of Lot shows faith in action. James 2:17 teaches that faith without works is dead, encouraging us to act on our beliefs. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the coalition of kings in Genesis 14:1 reflect the political and military dynamics of the ancient Near East, and what can we learn about God's control over world events? 2. In what ways does the account of Abram's rescue of Lot illustrate the principle of faith in action, and how can we apply this principle in our own lives? 3. How does the mention of Shinar in Genesis 14:1 connect to other biblical references to Babylon, and what significance does this have for understanding biblical prophecy? 4. What lessons can we learn from the alliances formed by the kings in Genesis 14:1 about the importance of choosing our associations wisely? 5. How does the account of Genesis 14:1-24 foreshadow the role of Christ as both priest and king, as seen in the figure of Melchizedek, and how does this deepen our understanding of Jesus' ministry? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 10The Table of Nations provides background on the descendants of Noah, including those who settled in Shinar and Elam, offering context for the origins of these kings. Hebrews 7The mention of Melchizedek later in Genesis 14 connects to the New Testament, where Melchizedek is seen as a type of Christ, emphasizing the priestly and kingly roles. Daniel 1The region of Shinar is also mentioned in the Book of Daniel, where it is associated with Babylon, highlighting the historical and prophetic significance of this area. 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 Amraphel, Am'raphel, Arioch, Ar'ioch, Chedorlaomer, Ched-or-lao'mer, Elam, Ellasar, El-lasar, Ella'sar, Goiim, Goi'im, Goyim, Kedorlaomer, Nations, Pass, Shinar, TidalDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 14:1-2 5568 suffering, causes Genesis 14:1-3 5205 alliance Genesis 14:1-24 4224 cities of the plain
4275 Sodom and Gomorrah 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 14:1 NIVGenesis 14:1 NLTGenesis 14:1 ESVGenesis 14:1 NASBGenesis 14:1 KJV
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