Genesis 14:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

Complete Jewish Bible:

They had served K'dorla'omer twelve years, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

Berean Standard Bible:

For twelve years they had been subject to Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

American Standard Version:

Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Twelve^{{H6240}{H8147}} years^{H8141} they served^{{H5647}{H853}} Chedorlaomer^{H3540}, and in the thirteenth^{{H7969}{H6240}} year^{H8141} they rebelled^{H4775}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 14:4

**Themes:**
- **Oppression and Rebellion:** The verse highlights the cyclical nature of servitude and rebellion, a common theme in the Bible and human history. It reflects the struggle for autonomy and the resistance against long-term oppression.
- **Alliances and Power Dynamics:** The mention of servitude to Chedorlaomer suggests the existence of vassal relationships and the importance of alliances for security and power.
- **Divine Justice and Deliverance:** Although not explicit in this verse, the broader context of Genesis often involves God's deliverance of the oppressed, which is a theme that may be inferred as the narrative unfolds.

**Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** Genesis 14 is set in the time of the patriarchs, specifically during the life of Abraham (Abram at this point in the narrative). This would place the events roughly in the second millennium BCE.
- **Geopolitical Landscape:** The verse refers to a coalition of kings, with Chedorlaomer as the overlord, who had dominated the region for twelve years. These kings likely represent various city-states or regions in the Near East, engaged in the typical ancient Near Eastern geopolitical struggles for control of territory and resources.
- **Chedorlaomer:** Identified as the king of Elam, an ancient civilization located in what is now southwestern Iran. His dominion over the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, and other cities indicates a period of Elamite expansion or influence in the region.
- **Rebellion:** After twelve years of subjugation, the thirteenth year marks a turning point where the vassal kings collectively decide to rebel against Chedorlaomer's rule. This act of defiance sets the stage for the subsequent military conflict detailed in the following verses.

This verse serves as an introduction to the Battle of Siddim, which is significant for its connection to Abraham, who gets involved in the conflict to rescue his nephew Lot, demonstrating family loyalty and personal bravery. The chapter as a whole underscores the political instability of the era and the interplay between human actions and divine providence.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6240
   There are 292 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂר
   Transliteration: ʻâsâr
   Pronunciation: aw-sawr'
   Description: for עֶשֶׂר; ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth; (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th).
   
2. Strong's Number: H8147
   There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
   Transliteration: shᵉnayim
   Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
   Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.
   
3. Strong's Number: H8141
   There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁנֶה
   Transliteration: shâneh
   Pronunciation: shaw-neh'
   Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly).
   
4. Strong's Number: H5647
   There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַד
   Transliteration: ʻâbad
   Pronunciation: aw-bad'
   Description: a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.; [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper,
   
5. Strong's Number: H853
   There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵת
   Transliteration: ʼêth
   Pronunciation: ayth
   Description: apparent contracted from אוֹת in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely); (as such unrepresented in English).
   
6. Strong's Number: H3540
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כְּדׇרְלָעֹמֶר
   Transliteration: Kᵉdorlâʻômer
   Pronunciation: ked-or-law-o'-mer
   Description: of foreign origin; Kedorlaomer, an early Persian king; Chedorlaomer.
   
7. Strong's Number: H7969
   There are 381 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: shâlôwsh
   Pronunciation: shaw-loshe'
   Description: or שָׁלֹשׁ; masculine שְׁלוֹשָׁה; or שְׁלֹשָׁה; a primitive number; three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice; [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare שָׁלִישׁ.
   
8. Strong's Number: H4775
   There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָרַד
   Transliteration: mârad
   Pronunciation: maw-rad'
   Description: a primitive root; to rebel; rebel(-lious).