Genesis 14:2 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).

◄ Genesis 14:2 ►

New International Version
these kings went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

New Living Translation
fought against King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar).

English Standard Version
these kings made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

Berean Standard Bible
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).

King James Bible
That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.

New King James Version
that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

New American Standard Bible
that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

NASB 1995
that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

NASB 1977
that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

Legacy Standard Bible
that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

Amplified Bible
they [invaded the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea, and] made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

Christian Standard Bible
waged war against King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, and King Shemeber of Zeboiim, as well as the king of Bela (that is, Zoar ).

Holman Christian Standard Bible
waged war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, as well as the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

American Standard Version
that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar).

Contemporary English Version
attacked King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, a city also known as Zoar.

English Revised Version
that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar).

GOD'S WORD® Translation
went to war against [five kings]-King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

Good News Translation
went to war against five other kings: Bera of Sodom, Birsha of Gomorrah, Shinab of Admah, Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (or Zoar).

International Standard Version
they engaged in war against King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, along with the king of Bela (which was also known as Zoar).

Majority Standard Bible
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).

NET Bible
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).

New Heart English Bible
that they made war with Bera, king of Sodom, and with Birsha, king of Gomorrah, Shinab, king of Admah, and Shemeber, king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

Webster's Bible Translation
That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.

World English Bible
they made war with Bera, king of Sodom; Birsha, king of Gomorrah; Shinab, king of Admah; Shemeber, king of Zeboiim; and the king of Bela (also called Zoar).

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
they have made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboim, and the king of Bela, which [is] Zoar.

Young's Literal Translation
they have made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.

Smith's Literal Translation
Made war with Bera, king of Sodom, and with Birsha, king of Gomorrah, Shinab, king of Admah, and Shemeber, king of Zeboim, and the king of Bela, this is Zoar.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Made war against Bara king of Sodom, and against Bersa king of Gomorrha, and against Sennaab king of Adama, and against Semeber king of Seboim, and against the king of Bala, which is Segor.

Catholic Public Domain Version
went to war against Bera, king of Sodom, and against Birsha, king of Gomorrah, and against Shinab, king of Admah, and against Shemeber, king of Zeboiim, and against the king of Bela, that is Zoar.

New American Bible
made war on Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar),

New Revised Standard Version
these kings made war with King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemer king of Zeboim, and the king of Bela, that is, Zoar.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
They made war with Baara the King of Sadom and with Bersha the King of Amora and Shenab the King of Adama and Shemair the King of Tsebuim and the King of Baala this is Tsaar.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela--the same is Zoar.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
made war with Balla king of Sodom, and with Barsa king of Gomorrha, and with Sennaar, king of Adama, and with Symobor king of Seboim and the king of Balac, this is Segor.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The War of the Kings
1In those days Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim 2went 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). 3The latter five came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Hebrews 7:1-2
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, / and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”

Psalm 110:4
The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Joshua 10:3-5
Therefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying, / “Come up and help me. We will attack Gibeon, because they have made peace with Joshua and the Israelites.” / So the five kings of the Amorites—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon—joined forces and advanced with all their armies. They camped before Gibeon and made war against it.

2 Samuel 8:2
David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

2 Kings 24:1-2
During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded. So Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years, until he turned and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar. / And the LORD sent Chaldean, Aramean, Moabite, and Ammonite raiders against Jehoiakim in order to destroy Judah, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through His servants the prophets.

Ezekiel 16:46-49
Your older sister was Samaria, who lived with her daughters to your north; and your younger sister was Sodom, who lived with her daughters to your south. / And you not only walked in their ways and practiced their abominations, but soon you were more depraved than they were. / As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, your sister Sodom and her daughters never did as you and your daughters have done. ...

Deuteronomy 29:23
All its soil will be a burning waste of sulfur and salt, unsown and unproductive, with no plant growing on it, just like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His fierce anger.

Romans 4:13
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

Galatians 3:16
The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.

Isaiah 41:2
Who has aroused one from the east and called him to his feet in righteousness? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow.

Nehemiah 9:7-8
You are the LORD, the God who chose Abram, who brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham. / You found his heart faithful before You, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites and Hittites, of the Amorites and Perizzites, of the Jebusites and Girgashites—to give it to his descendants. You have kept Your promise, because You are righteous.

Acts 7:4-5
So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After his father died, God brought him out of that place and into this land where you are now living. / He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised to give possession of the land to Abraham and his descendants, even though he did not yet have a child.

2 Chronicles 20:1-2
After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. / Then some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the Sea; they are already in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, En-gedi).

Jeremiah 49:18
As Sodom and Gomorrah were overthrown along with their neighbors,” says the LORD, “no one will dwell there; no man will abide there.

Matthew 5:14
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Treasury of Scripture

That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.

Sodom.

Genesis 10:19
And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.

Genesis 13:10
And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

Genesis 19:24
Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

Admah.

Deuteronomy 29:23
And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:

Hosea 11:8
How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

Zeboiim.

1 Samuel 13:18
And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

Nehemiah 11:34
Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,

Zoar.

Genesis 19:20-30
Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live…

Deuteronomy 34:3
And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar.

Isaiah 15:5
My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction.

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Admah Bela Gomorrah Gomor'rah Kings Sodom War Zeboiim Zeboi'im Zeboim Zoar Zo'ar

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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

that they waged war
The 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.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) Bera king of Sodom.--The failure of the attempt to explain the names of these five kings, and of the cities over which they ruled (with one or two exceptions), by the help of the Hebrew language makes it probable that the inhabitants of the Ciccar were either Canaanites who had come from the sea-coast, or men of some Hamite stock who had colonised this region from the east. The latter is the more probable view, as they do not seem to have had much affinity either with the Amorites or with the Jebusites, their neighbours.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 2. - That these made war. The LXX. connect the present with the preceding verse by reading "that Arioch," etc. Ewald interpolates "of Abram," before "that Amraphel." With Bera. "Gift - בֶּש־רַע (Gesenius). King of Sodom. "Burning, conflagration," as being built on bituminous soil, and therefore subject to volcanic eruptions; from סָדַם, conjectured to mean to burn (Gesenius). "Lime place," or "enclosed place;' from סָדָה, to surround (Furst). A mountain with fossil salt at the present day is called Hagv Usdum; and Galen also knew of a Sodom mountain. And with Birsha = בֶּן־רֶשַׁע "son of wickedness" (Gesenius); "long and thick" (Murphy); "strong, thick" (Furst). King of Gomorrah. ΓομάῥῬα (LXX.); perhaps "culture, habitation" (Gesenius); "rent, fissure" (Furst). Shinab. "Father's tooth" (Gesenius); "splendor of Ab" (Furst); "coolness" (Murphy). King of Admah. Fruit region, farm city (Furst). And Shemeber. "Soaring aloft" (Gesenius). King of Zeboiim. Place of hyenas (Gesenius); gazelles (Murphy); a wild place (Furst). And the king of Bela. "Devoured," or "devouring" (Gesenius). Which is Zoar. "The small," a name afterwards given to the city (Genesis 19:22), and here introduced as being better known than the more ancient one.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

went to
עָשׂ֣וּ (‘ā·śū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

war
מִלְחָמָ֗ה (mil·ḥā·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

against
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Preposition
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

Bera
בֶּ֙רַע֙ (be·ra‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1298: Bera -- a king of Sodom

king
מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

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

Birsha
בִּרְשַׁ֖ע (bir·ša‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1306: Birsha -- a king of Gomorrah

king
מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Gomorrah,
עֲמֹרָ֑ה (‘ă·mō·rāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6017: Gomorrah -- a city in the Jordan Valley

Shinab
שִׁנְאָ֣ב ׀ (šin·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8134: Shinab -- a king of Admah

king
מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Admah,
אַדְמָ֗ה (’aḏ·māh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 126: Admah -- a city near Sodom and Gomorrah

Shemeber
וְשֶׁמְאֵ֙בֶר֙ (wə·šem·’ê·ḇer)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8038: Shemeber -- 'name of pinion', king of Zeboiim

king
מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Zeboiim,
צְבוֹיִ֔ים‪‬ (ṣə·ḇō·w·yîm)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6636: Zeboiim -- a place near Sodom

and the king
וּמֶ֥לֶךְ (ū·me·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Bela
בֶּ֖לַע (be·la‘)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1106: Bela -- an Edomite, also two Israelites

(that is,
הִיא־ (hî-)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

Zoar).
צֹֽעַר׃ (ṣō·‘ar)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6820: Zoar -- 'insignificance', a city at the southeastern end of the Dead Sea

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OT Law: Genesis 14:2 That they made war with Bera king (Gen. Ge Gn)