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) marched out and arrayed themselves for battle in the Valley of Siddim Then the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (that is, Zoar)This phrase introduces us to a coalition of five kings from the cities of the plain. The mention of these cities, particularly Sodom and Gomorrah, is significant in biblical history due to their later destruction as a result of their wickedness (Genesis 19). The Hebrew word for "kings" is "מְלָכִים" (melachim), which denotes rulers or leaders with authority over a city or region. The cities mentioned were located in the fertile Jordan Valley, an area known for its prosperity and strategic importance. Historically, these cities were part of a confederation, which suggests a level of political organization and mutual defense. The inclusion of Bela, also known as Zoar, highlights its lesser-known status compared to the infamous Sodom and Gomorrah, yet it was significant enough to be part of this alliance. marched out and arrayed themselves for battle
The phrase "marched out" indicates a deliberate and organized movement towards conflict. The Hebrew root "יָצָא" (yatsa) means to go out or come forth, often used in military contexts. This suggests a proactive stance taken by these kings, possibly in response to aggression or as a preemptive strike. "Arrayed themselves for battle" implies a strategic preparation for warfare, with the Hebrew "עָרַךְ" (arak) meaning to arrange or set in order. This reflects the seriousness of the conflict and the readiness of these kings to defend their territories. The imagery of battle preparation is a reminder of the constant state of conflict in the ancient Near East, where city-states frequently engaged in warfare to protect their interests and expand their influence. in the Valley of Siddim
The Valley of Siddim is identified as the location of this significant battle. The Hebrew "עֵמֶק" (emeq) means valley, often a place of strategic military encounters due to its geographical features. The Valley of Siddim is later described as being full of tar pits (Genesis 14:10), which would have been a challenging terrain for battle. This location is traditionally associated with the area south of the Dead Sea, a region rich in natural resources but also fraught with geological hazards. The choice of this valley as a battleground underscores the tactical considerations of ancient warfare, where terrain could be as much an ally or adversary as the opposing forces. The historical and geographical context of the Valley of Siddim provides insight into the challenges faced by these ancient kings and the significance of their alliance in the face of external threats. Persons / Places / Events 1. King of Sodom- The ruler of the city of Sodom, which was one of the cities involved in the battle. 2. King of Gomorrah- The ruler of Gomorrah, another city involved in the conflict. 3. King of Admah- The ruler of Admah, a city allied with Sodom and Gomorrah. 4. King of Zeboiim- The ruler of Zeboiim, also allied with Sodom and Gomorrah. 5. King of Bela (Zoar)- The ruler of Bela, later known as Zoar, part of the alliance against the invading kings. 6. Valley of Siddim- The location where the battle took place, known for its tar pits. Teaching Points The Consequences of AlliancesThe alliance of the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela shows the importance of choosing allies wisely. Aligning with those who do not honor God can lead to negative consequences. The Reality of ConflictThis passage reminds us that conflict is a part of life, even in biblical times. As Christians, we must be prepared to face spiritual battles and rely on God's strength. God's Sovereignty in ChaosDespite the chaos of war, God's plan is sovereign. This is evident as He uses Abram to rescue Lot, showing that God can bring deliverance even in dire situations. Moral Decline and JudgmentThe involvement of Sodom and Gomorrah in this battle foreshadows their eventual destruction due to sin. It serves as a warning about the dangers of moral decline and the certainty of divine judgment. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the alliance of the kings in Genesis 14:8 reflect the importance of choosing our associations carefully, and what New Testament teachings support this idea? 2. In what ways can the battle in the Valley of Siddim be seen as a metaphor for spiritual battles we face today, and how can Ephesians 6:10-18 guide us in these battles? 3. How does Abram's later intervention in this conflict demonstrate God's faithfulness, and what does this teach us about trusting God in difficult circumstances? 4. Considering the eventual fate of Sodom and Gomorrah, what lessons can we learn about the consequences of sin and the importance of repentance? 5. How can the account of these kings and their battle encourage us to seek God's wisdom and guidance in our own decision-making processes? Connections to Other Scriptures The battle in Genesis 14:8 is part of a larger account that includes the rescue of Lot by Abram. This connects to Genesis 14:14-16, where Abram's faith and courage are demonstrated. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are later destroyed due to their wickedness, as seen in Genesis 19, highlighting the moral decline that began with their involvement in this battle. The alliance of these kings can be compared to other biblical alliances, such as those in Joshua 10, where multiple kings unite against a common enemy. 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, Array, Arrayed, Battle, Bela, Drew, Forces, Gomorrah, Gomor'rah, Joined, Lines, Marched, Position, Siddim, Sodom, Vale, Valley, Zeboiim, Zeboi'im, Zeboim, Zoar, Zo'arDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 14:8 4290 valleys Genesis 14:1-24 4224 cities of the plain Genesis 14:8-16 5076 Abraham, life of
5681 family, nature of 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 14:8 NIVGenesis 14:8 NLTGenesis 14:8 ESVGenesis 14:8 NASBGenesis 14:8 KJV
Genesis 14:8 Commentaries
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