went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). that they waged warThe phrase "waged war" indicates a deliberate and organized conflict. In Hebrew, the root word for "war" is "לחם" (lacham), which conveys the idea of engaging in battle or combat. This reflects the historical context of the ancient Near East, where city-states frequently engaged in warfare to assert dominance, protect resources, or expand territories. The spiritual implication here is the ever-present reality of conflict in a fallen world, reminding believers of the spiritual battles they face and the need for God's guidance and protection. against Bera king of Sodom
"Bera" is a name that may mean "gift" or "evil," reflecting the dual nature of leadership that can either bless or curse a people. Sodom, known for its eventual destruction due to wickedness, serves as a cautionary tale of moral decay. The mention of Bera as king highlights the responsibility of leaders to guide their people in righteousness, a theme echoed throughout Scripture. Birsha king of Gomorrah
The name "Birsha" could mean "with iniquity," which is fitting given Gomorrah's reputation for sinfulness. This city, alongside Sodom, symbolizes the consequences of turning away from God's laws. The historical context of these cities, later destroyed by divine judgment, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of living in accordance with God's will. Shinab king of Admah
"Shinab" might mean "splendor of the father," suggesting a heritage or legacy that can be either positive or negative. Admah, like Sodom and Gomorrah, was part of the cities of the plain that faced destruction. This highlights the theme of generational influence and the impact of a leader's choices on their people. Shemeber king of Zeboiim
The name "Shemeber" could mean "soaring on high," indicating ambition or pride. Zeboiim, another city of the plain, shares in the fate of its neighbors. This serves as a warning against pride and self-exaltation, which often precede a fall, as seen throughout biblical history. and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar)
"Bela" means "destruction," while "Zoar" means "small" or "insignificant." Zoar was spared from the destruction that befell the other cities, symbolizing God's mercy and the possibility of redemption even in the midst of judgment. This duality underscores the biblical theme of hope and salvation for those who seek refuge in the Lord. Persons / Places / Events 1. Amraphel- King of Shinar, often associated with the region of Babylon. His involvement in the battle indicates the widespread influence and power struggles of the time. 2. Arioch- King of Ellasar, another ruler involved in the coalition against the kings of the Jordan Valley. His participation highlights the alliances formed for mutual benefit and conquest. 3. Chedorlaomer- King of Elam, the leading figure in the coalition. His dominance is evident as he leads the campaign against the rebelling kings. 4. Tidal- King of Goiim, representing a group of nations or peoples. His inclusion signifies the diverse nature of the coalition forces. 5. Bera- King of Sodom, one of the rebelling kings. His city is later known for its wickedness and eventual destruction. 6. Birsha- King of Gomorrah, another rebelling king. Gomorrah, like Sodom, is infamous for its sinfulness. 7. Shinab- King of Admah, part of the coalition of rebelling kings. 8. Shemeber- King of Zeboiim, also part of the rebelling coalition. 9. Zoar (Bela)- A small city involved in the conflict, later spared during the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Teaching Points The Nature of AlliancesThe alliances formed by the kings demonstrate the human tendency to seek power and control. Believers are reminded to form alliances that honor God and promote righteousness. Consequences of RebellionThe rebellion of the kings against Chedorlaomer serves as a reminder of the consequences of defying authority, especially divine authority. Christians are called to submit to God's will and authority in their lives. God's Sovereignty in ConflictDespite human conflicts and power struggles, God's sovereignty remains. Believers can trust that God is in control, even in tumultuous times. The Role of LeadershipThe leaders in this account show both the potential for good and evil in leadership. Christian leaders are encouraged to lead with integrity and humility, following Christ's example. Bible Study Questions 1. How do the alliances and conflicts in Genesis 14:2 reflect the broader theme of human pride and rebellion in the Bible? 2. In what ways can the account of the kings' rebellion and subsequent defeat serve as a warning for us today? 3. How does the eventual rescue of Lot by Abram later in Genesis 14 illustrate God's provision and deliverance? 4. What lessons can we learn about leadership from the kings involved in this conflict, and how can we apply these lessons in our own lives? 5. How does the account of Genesis 14:2 connect to the New Testament teachings on God's judgment and mercy? Connections to Other Scriptures The coalition of kings and their rebellion can be connected to the broader biblical theme of human pride and rebellion against God, as seen in the Tower of Babel account. The eventual destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a warning against sin and is referenced in the New Testament as an example of God's judgment. The rescue of Lot by Abram later in the chapter foreshadows the theme of redemption and deliverance found throughout Scripture. 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 Admah, Bela, Bera, Birsha, Gomorrah, Gomor'rah, Kings, Shemeber, Sheme'ber, Shinab, Sodom, War, Zeboiim, Zeboi'im, Zeboim, Zoar, Zo'arDictionary 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 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 14:2 NIVGenesis 14:2 NLTGenesis 14:2 ESVGenesis 14:2 NASBGenesis 14:2 KJV
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