Genesis 14:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some men fell into the pits, but the survivors fled to the hill country.

◄ Genesis 14:10 ►

New International Version
Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell into them and the rest fled to the hills.

New Living Translation
As it happened, the valley of the Dead Sea was filled with tar pits. And as the army of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into the tar pits, while the rest escaped into the mountains.

English Standard Version
Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country.

Berean Standard Bible
Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some men fell into the pits, but the survivors fled to the hill country.

King James Bible
And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.

New King James Version
Now the Valley of Siddim was full of asphalt pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled; some fell there, and the remainder fled to the mountains.

New American Standard Bible
Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell into them. But those who survived fled to the hill country.

NASB 1995
Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell into them. But those who survived fled to the hill country.

NASB 1977
Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell into them. But those who survived fled to the hill country.

Legacy Standard Bible
now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits—and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell into them; but those who remained behind fled to the hill country.

Amplified Bible
Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar (bitumen) pits; and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, they fell into them. But the remainder [of the kings] who survived fled to the hill country.

Christian Standard Bible
Now the Siddim Valley contained many asphalt pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, but the rest fled to the mountains.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now the Valley of Siddim contained many asphalt pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, but the rest fled to the mountains.

American Standard Version
Now the vale of Siddim was full of slime pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell there, and they that remained fled to the mountain.

Contemporary English Version
was full of tar pits, and when the troops from Sodom and Gomorrah started running away, some of them fell into the pits. Others escaped to the hill country.

English Revised Version
Now the vale of Siddim was full of slime pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell there, and they that remained fled to the mountain.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The valley of Siddim was full of tar pits. As the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, they fell because of the tar pits, but the other kings fled to the hills.

Good News Translation
The valley was full of tar pits, and when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah tried to run away from the battle, they fell into the pits; but the other three kings escaped to the mountains.

International Standard Version
Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, so when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of their people fell into them, while the rest fled to the hill country.

Majority Standard Bible
Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some men fell into the pits, but the survivors fled to the hill country.

NET Bible
Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits. When the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, they fell into them, but some survivors fled to the hills.

New Heart English Bible
Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah fled, and they fell there, and those who remained fled to the hills.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the vale of Siddim was full of slime-pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there: and they that remained fled to the mountain.

World English Bible
Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and some fell there. Those who remained fled to the hills.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the Valley of Siddim [is] full of bitumen-pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah flee, and fall there, and those left have fled to the mountain.

Young's Literal Translation
And the valley of Siddim is full of bitumen-pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah flee, and fall there, and those left have fled to the mountain.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the valley of Siddim, pit, pit of pitch; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah shall flee and shall fall there; and those having remained shall flee to the mountain.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Now the woodland vale had many pits of slime. And the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrha turned their backs and were overthrown there: and they that remained fled to the mountain.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now the wooded valley had many pits of bitumen. And so the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah turned back and they fell there. And those who remained, fled to the mountain.

New American Bible
Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits; and as the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah fled, they fell into these, while the rest fled to the mountains.

New Revised Standard Version
Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits; and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and those who survived fled to the mountain.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the valley of Sedumia was pits upon pits of tar and the Kings of Sadom fled and the King of Amora and they fell there, and those who survived fled to the mountains.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Now the vale of Siddim was full of slime pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell there, and they that remained fled to the mountain.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Now the salt valley consists of slime-pits. And the king of Sodom fled and the king of Gomorrha, and they fell in there: and they that were left fled to the mountain country.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Lot Seized by the Four Kings
10Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some men fell into the pits, but the survivors fled to the hill country. 11The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food, and they went on their way.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Kings 3:9
So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom set out, and after they had traveled a roundabout route for seven days, they had no water for their army or for their animals.

2 Kings 3:16-20
and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’ / For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’ / This is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD, and He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. ...

2 Kings 3:22-23
When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and it looked as red as blood to the Moabites across the way. / “This is blood!” they exclaimed. “The kings have clashed swords and slaughtered one another. Now to the plunder, Moab!”

2 Kings 3:26-27
When the king of Moab saw that the battle was too fierce for him, he took with him seven hundred swordsmen to break through to the king of Edom, but they could not prevail. / So he took his firstborn son, who was to succeed him, and offered him as a burnt offering on the city wall. And there was great fury against the Israelites, so they withdrew and returned to their own land.

Psalm 83:9-10
Do to them as You did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the River Kishon, / who perished at Endor and became like dung on the ground.

Judges 7:22
And when the three hundred rams’ horns sounded, the LORD set all the men in the camp against one another with their swords. The army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.

Judges 8:10-12
Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army of about fifteen thousand men—all that were left of the armies of the people of the east. A hundred and twenty thousand swordsmen had already fallen. / And Gideon went up by way of the caravan route east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and he attacked their army, taking them by surprise. / When Zebah and Zalmunna fled, Gideon pursued and captured these two kings of Midian, routing their entire army.

Isaiah 34:9
Edom’s streams will be turned to tar, and her soil to sulfur; her land will become a blazing pitch.

Isaiah 63:1-6
Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.” / Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress? / “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained. ...

Jeremiah 48:44
“Whoever flees the panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For I will bring upon Moab the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD.

Ezekiel 47:11
But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt.

Revelation 14:20
And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and the blood that flowed from it rose as high as the bridles of the horses for a distance of 1,600 stadia.

Revelation 16:16
And they assembled the kings in the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

Revelation 19:17-21
Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, / so that you may eat the flesh of kings and commanders and mighty men, of horses and riders, of everyone slave and free, small and great.” / Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies assembled to wage war against the One seated on the horse, and against His army. ...

Luke 10:30
Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.

Treasury of Scripture

And the vale of Siddim was full of slime pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.

slime pits.

Genesis 11:3
And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.

fell.

Joshua 8:24
And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.

Psalm 83:10
Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.

Isaiah 24:18
And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.

the mountain.

Genesis 19:17,30
And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed…

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Bitumen Country Earth End Fell Fled Flee Flight Full Gomorrah Gomor'rah Hill Hills Holes Kings Mountain Pits Rest Siddim Slime Sodom Sticky Survived Tar Vale Valley

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Bitumen Country Earth End Fell Fled Flee Flight Full Gomorrah Gomor'rah Hill Hills Holes Kings Mountain Pits Rest Siddim Slime Sodom Sticky Survived Tar Vale Valley

Genesis 14

1. The battle of four kings against the king of Sodom and his allies.
12. Lot is taken prisoner.
14. Abram rescues him.
17. Melchizedek blesses Abram, who gives him tithes.
21. Abram restores the rest of the spoil to the king of Sodom.

Berean Study Bible

Now the Valley of Siddim
The "Valley of Siddim" is believed to be located near the Dead Sea, an area known for its unique geological features. The Hebrew word for "Siddim" suggests a place of fields or plains, indicating a fertile area that was likely attractive for settlement and agriculture. Historically, this valley was a battleground for the kings mentioned in Genesis 14, highlighting its strategic importance. The valley's location near the Dead Sea, a region rich in minerals, underscores the wealth and resources that were at stake in this conflict.

was full of tar pits
The "tar pits" are significant both geologically and symbolically. The Hebrew term used here can refer to bitumen or asphalt, substances that were abundant in the region. These tar pits were natural traps, illustrating the dangers and unpredictability of the terrain. Symbolically, they represent the moral and spiritual pitfalls that can ensnare individuals and nations. The presence of these pits in the narrative serves as a reminder of the consequences of straying from God's path, as seen in the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah.

as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled
The "kings of Sodom and Gomorrah" were leaders of cities known for their wickedness, as later chapters in Genesis reveal. Their flight from battle signifies a moment of desperation and defeat. Historically, these cities were part of a coalition that rebelled against the rule of Chedorlaomer, king of Elam. The flight of these kings can be seen as a metaphor for the inevitable downfall of those who oppose God's will and live in sin. It serves as a cautionary tale about the futility of relying on human strength and alliances instead of seeking divine guidance.

they fell into them
The phrase "they fell into them" indicates a literal and figurative downfall. The Hebrew verb used here conveys a sense of stumbling or being ensnared, which can be interpreted as both a physical and moral collapse. The kings' fall into the tar pits symbolizes the consequences of their rebellion and sin. It is a vivid illustration of how pride and self-reliance can lead to one's downfall. This event foreshadows the ultimate destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, emphasizing the theme of divine justice throughout the Scriptures.

but the rest fled to the hill country
The "hill country" offered refuge and safety, contrasting with the treacherous valley below. In biblical times, hills and mountains often symbolized places of protection and divine encounter. The act of fleeing to the hill country can be seen as a search for sanctuary and a turning point for those who escaped. It highlights the mercy and grace available to those who seek refuge in God, even amidst judgment and chaos. This phrase serves as a reminder of the hope and redemption that God offers to those who turn to Him in times of trouble.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(10) The vale of Siddim was full of slimepits.--That is, of holes whence bitumen had been excavated. Layers of this natural asphalte, well known both to the Greeks and Romans as pia Judaica, Judean pitch, still exist on the western side of the Dead Sea; and the places whence it had been dug out, and which are often very deep, formed dangerous impediments in the way of the defeated side.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 10. - And the vale of Siddim was full of slime-pits. Literally, was pits, pits (cf. 2 Kings 3:16; Ezekiel 42:12 for examples of repeated nouns) of slime, bitumen or asphalte, and therefore unfavorable for flight. "Some of the wells near the Dead Sea are 116 feet deep, with a stratum of bitumen fifteen feet in depth, and as black as jet" (Inglis). And the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled and fell there. Stumbled into the pits and perished (Keil, Lange, Murphy), though if the king of Sodom escaped (Ver. 17), the language may only mean that they were overthrown there (Knobel, Rosenmüller, Bush, 'Speaker's Commentary'). And they that remained fled to the mountain, of Moab, with its numerous defiles.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Now the Valley
וְעֵ֣מֶק (wə·‘ê·meq)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6010: A vale

of Siddim
הַשִׂדִּ֗ים‪‬ (ha·śid·dîm)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7708: Siddim -- a valley near the Dead Sea

was full of tar
חֵמָ֔ר (ḥê·mār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2564: Bitumen, asphalt

pits,
בֶּֽאֱרֹ֤ת (be·’ĕ·rōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 875: A pit, a well

and as the kings
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Sodom
סְדֹ֥ם (sə·ḏōm)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5467: Sodom -- a Canaanite city near the Dead Sea

and Gomorrah
וַעֲמֹרָ֖ה (wa·‘ă·mō·rāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6017: Gomorrah -- a city in the Jordan Valley

fled,
וַיָּנֻ֛סוּ (way·yā·nu·sū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

some men fell
וַיִּפְּלוּ־ (way·yip·pə·lū-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

into [the pits],
שָׁ֑מָּה (šām·māh)
Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

but the survivors
וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִ֖ים (wə·han·niš·’ā·rîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7604: To swell up, be, redundant

fled
נָּֽסוּ׃ (nā·sū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

to the hill country.
הֶ֥רָה (he·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

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OT Law: Genesis 14:10 Now the valley of Siddim was full (Gen. Ge Gn)