Genesis 14:9
New International Version
against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goyim, Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.

New Living Translation
They fought against King Kedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Babylonia, and King Arioch of Ellasar—four kings against five.

English Standard Version
with Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, four kings against five.

Berean Standard Bible
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.

King James Bible
With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.

New King James Version
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.

New American Standard Bible
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.

NASB 1995
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim and Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar— four kings against five.

NASB 1977
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim and Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.

Legacy Standard Bible
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim and Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar, four kings against five—

Amplified Bible
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim and Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.

Christian Standard Bible
against King Chedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Shinar, and King Arioch of Ellasar—four kings against five.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.

American Standard Version
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings against the five.

English Revised Version
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings against the five.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They fought against King Chedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Shinar, and King Arioch of Ellasar-four kings against five.

Good News Translation
against the kings of Elam, Goiim, Babylonia, and Ellasar, five kings against four.

International Standard Version
against King Chedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Shinar, and King Arioch of Ellasar—four kings against five.

Majority Standard Bible
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar?four kings against five.

NET Bible
Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar. Four kings fought against five.

New Heart English Bible
against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings against the five.

Webster's Bible Translation
With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.

World English Bible
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings against the five.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
with Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with the five.

Young's Literal Translation
with Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goyim, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with the five.

Smith's Literal Translation
With Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal, king of nations, and Amraphel, king of Shinar, Arioch, king of Alasar; four kings with five.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
To wit, against Chodorlahomor king of the Elamites, and Thadal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Sennaar, and Arioch king of Pontus: four kings against five.

Catholic Public Domain Version
namely, against Chedorlaomer, king of the Elamites, and Tidal, king of the Nations, and Amraphel, king of Shinar, and Arioch, king of Pontus: four kings against five.

New American Bible
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.

New Revised Standard Version
with King Chedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Shinar, and King Arioch of Ellasar, four kings against five.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
With Cardlaamar, the king of Elam, Tarael the king of Gelites, Amarphel king of Sinar, and Arioch king of Dalasar; four kings against five.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
With Kardlamar the King of Ileem, and Trayl the King of Galia, and Amarphel the King of Senar, and Ariok the King of Dalasar, four Kings with five.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings against the five.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
against Chodollogomor king of Elam, and Thargal king of nations, and Amarphal king of Sennaar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, the four kings against the five.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The War of the Kings
8Then 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 9against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar— four kings against five.

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.”

Hebrews 5:6
And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 6:20
where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7:17
For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 7:21
but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”

Hebrews 7:4
Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.

Hebrews 7:10
For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.

Hebrews 7:11
Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?

Hebrews 7:15-16
And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, / one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life.

Hebrews 7:22
Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

Hebrews 7:24-25
But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. / Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

Hebrews 7:26-28
Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. / Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself. / For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Joshua 10:5
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.

Joshua 10:23-25
So they brought the five kings out of the cave—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon. / When they had brought the kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks. / “Do not be afraid or discouraged,” Joshua said. “Be strong and courageous, for the LORD will do this to all the enemies you fight.”


Treasury of Scripture

With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.

See

Genesis 14:1
And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;

Jump to Previous
Amraphel Am'raphel Arioch Ar'ioch Chedorlaomer Ched-Or-Lao'mer Elam Ellasar Ella'sar Five Four Goiim Goi'im Goyim Kedorlaomer Kings Nations Shinar Tidal
Jump to Next
Amraphel Am'raphel Arioch Ar'ioch Chedorlaomer Ched-Or-Lao'mer Elam Ellasar Ella'sar Five Four Goiim Goi'im Goyim Kedorlaomer Kings Nations Shinar Tidal
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.














against Chedorlaomer king of Elam
Chedorlaomer is identified as the king of Elam, an ancient kingdom located in what is now southwestern Iran. Elam was a significant power in the ancient Near East, often interacting with Mesopotamian civilizations. Chedorlaomer is portrayed as the leader of the coalition of eastern kings, suggesting his prominence and influence. This battle reflects the geopolitical dynamics of the time, where city-states and regional powers frequently engaged in warfare for dominance and control. The mention of Elam connects to other biblical references, such as Isaiah 11:11, where Elam is listed among the nations from which God will gather His people.

Tidal king of Goiim
Tidal is described as the king of Goiim, a term that can mean "nations" or "peoples." This suggests that Tidal may have ruled over a confederation of tribes or a region with diverse ethnic groups. The name Tidal is less frequently mentioned in historical records, but his inclusion in this coalition indicates his role in the broader conflict. The term "Goiim" is often used in the Bible to refer to non-Israelite nations, highlighting the diverse and international nature of the coalition.

Amraphel king of Shinar
Amraphel is identified as the king of Shinar, a region synonymous with ancient Babylonia. Shinar is mentioned in Genesis 11:2 as the location of the Tower of Babel, indicating its historical and cultural significance. The association with Shinar suggests a connection to the early Mesopotamian civilizations, known for their advancements in writing, law, and architecture. Amraphel's participation in the coalition underscores the involvement of major Mesopotamian powers in the conflict.

and Arioch king of Ellasar
Arioch is named as the king of Ellasar, a location that is less clearly identified in historical records. Some scholars suggest it may correspond to a city-state in southern Mesopotamia. The inclusion of Arioch and Ellasar in the narrative highlights the widespread nature of the coalition, drawing in rulers from various regions. This reflects the complex political landscape of the time, where alliances were formed for mutual benefit and military strength.

four kings against five
This phrase summarizes the conflict between two coalitions: the four eastern kings led by Chedorlaomer and the five kings of the cities in the Jordan Valley. The numerical detail emphasizes the scale of the battle and the significant opposition faced by the eastern coalition. This confrontation is a pivotal moment in the narrative, setting the stage for Abram's involvement and subsequent victory. The battle serves as a backdrop for demonstrating God's providence and Abram's emerging role as a leader and protector, foreshadowing the future establishment of Israel.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Chedorlaomer
- King of Elam, leading a coalition of kings against the cities of the plain, including Sodom and Gomorrah.

2. Tidal
- King of Goiim, part of the coalition with Chedorlaomer.

3. Amraphel
- King of Shinar, another ally in the coalition.

4. Arioch
- King of Ellasar, also part of the coalition.

5. Bera
- King of Sodom, leading the opposing coalition of the cities of the plain.

6. Birsha
- King of Gomorrah, allied with Bera.

7. Shinab
- King of Admah, part of the cities of the plain.

8. Shemeber
- King of Zeboiim, also part of the cities of the plain.

9. Zoar (Bela)
- A small city allied with the cities of the plain.

10. Valley of Siddim
- The battleground where the conflict between the two coalitions took place.
Teaching Points
The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
Just as the kings engaged in physical battle, Christians are engaged in spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces.

God's Sovereignty in Conflict
Despite the chaos of war, God's purposes prevail. This passage reminds us to trust in God's sovereignty, even in tumultuous times.

The Importance of Alliances
The alliances formed in Genesis 14 can be likened to the importance of Christian fellowship and accountability. Proverbs 27:17 emphasizes the sharpening effect of godly relationships.

Faith in Action
Abraham's involvement in the rescue of Lot demonstrates faith in action. James 2:17 teaches that faith without works is dead, encouraging believers to act on their faith.

The Role of Leadership
The kings' leadership in battle reflects the importance of godly leadership in the church and community. Leaders are called to guide with wisdom and integrity, as seen in 1 Timothy 3.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
against
אֵ֣ת (’êṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

Chedorlaomer
כְּדָרְלָעֹ֜מֶר (kə·ḏā·rə·lā·‘ō·mer)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3540: Chedorlaomer -- a king of Elam

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

of Elam,
עֵילָ֗ם (‘ê·lām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5867: Elam -- a son of Shem, also his descendants and their country

Tidal
וְתִדְעָל֙ (wə·ṯiḏ·‘āl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8413: Tidal -- perhaps a Canaanite king

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

of Goiim,
גּוֹיִ֔ם (gō·w·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

Amraphel
וְאַמְרָפֶל֙ (wə·’am·rā·p̄el)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 569: Amraphel -- king of Shinar

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

of Shinar,
שִׁנְעָ֔ר (šin·‘ār)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8152: Shinar -- another name for Babylon

and Arioch
וְאַרְי֖וֹךְ (wə·’ar·yō·wḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 746: Arioch -- king of Ellasar

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

of Ellasar—
אֶלָּסָ֑ר (’el·lā·sār)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 495: Ellasar -- a country of unknown location

four
אַרְבָּעָ֥ה (’ar·bā·‘āh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 702: Four

kings
מְלָכִ֖ים (mə·lā·ḵîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4428: A king

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

five.
הַחֲמִשָּֽׁה׃ (ha·ḥă·miš·šāh)
Article | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 2568: Five


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OT Law: Genesis 14:9 Against Chedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal (Gen. Ge Gn)
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