Genesis 14:10

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the vale {H6010} of Siddim {H7708} was full of {H875} slimepits {H875}{H2564}; and the kings {H4428} of Sodom {H5467} and Gomorrah {H6017} fled {H5127}, and fell {H5307} there; and they that remained {H7604} fled {H5127} to the mountain {H2022}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now the Siddim Valley was full of clay pits; and when the kings of S'dom and 'Amora fled, some fell into them; while the rest fled to the hills.

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.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Genesis 14:10](/genesis/14-10 "The Battle in the Vale of Siddim") describes the chaotic scene during the Battle of the Kings, where the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, fleeing defeat, fell into treacherous bitumen pits in the Vale of Siddim, while others escaped to the mountains. This verse highlights the immediate consequences of the conflict and the perilous nature of the terrain, setting the stage for Abraham's subsequent intervention.

### CONTEXT
[Genesis chapter 14](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/genesis/14 "Genesis Chapter 14 KJV") recounts the "Battle of the Kings," a conflict initiated by a rebellion of Canaanite city-states against their Mesopotamian overlords, led by King Chedorlaomer. After twelve years of subjugation, the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (Zoar) rebelled in the thirteenth year. The ensuing battle took place in the [Vale of Siddim](/genesis/14-3 "The Vale of Siddim"), an area characterized by numerous bitumen pits, which proved to be a decisive and hazardous feature of the battlefield for the fleeing rebellious kings.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The KJV text of [Genesis 14:10](/genesis/14-10 "The Battle in the Vale of Siddim") vividly portrays the chaotic aftermath of the Battle of the Kings, focusing on the immediate fate of the defeated kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. The phrase "the vale of Siddim [was full of] slimepits" is crucial, establishing the treacherous nature of the battlefield. The Hebrew term translated as "slimepits" is *be'erot chemar* (בְּאֵרֹת חֵמָר), where *chemar* specifically refers to bitumen or asphalt. These were naturally occurring tar pits, common in the region later associated with the Dead Sea.

The significance of these "slimepits" cannot be overstated. They were not merely obstacles but active hazards that trapped the fleeing soldiers and, notably, the kings themselves. The text states that the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah "fled, and fell there," indicating a direct and ignominious defeat. This fall into the pits symbolizes their strategic failure and vulnerability, a stark contrast to their royal status.

The subsequent detail, "and they that remained fled to the mountain," further emphasizes the disarray and desperation of the routed forces. While some were ensnared by the natural traps, others sought refuge in the higher, more secure terrain, highlighting the complete collapse of their resistance. This verse thus serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative, illustrating the immediate consequences of the rebellion and setting the stage for Abraham's subsequent intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Sovereignty and Natural Consequences:** The "slimepits" act as a natural instrument in the unfolding of events, subtly hinting at God's sovereignty even over the physical landscape. The kings' rebellion leads them into a situation where natural hazards contribute to their defeat, illustrating that choices have consequences, sometimes amplified by unforeseen circumstances.
* **Foreshadowing of Judgment:** For the reader, the vulnerability and defeat of Sodom and Gomorrah in these pits serve as a powerful, albeit subtle, foreshadowing of their ultimate destruction by divine judgment in [Genesis 19](/genesis/19-24 "The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"). The natural trap of the "slimepits" prefigures a greater, supernatural reckoning to come.
* **Limits of Human Power:** Even kings, symbols of earthly power and authority, are shown to be susceptible to natural forces and the fortunes of war. Their ignominious fall into the pits underscores the fragility of human might when confronted with superior forces or environmental hazards.
* **Setting the Stage for Redemption/Rescue:** This chaotic scene of defeat and entrapment directly precedes [Abraham's heroic intervention](/genesis/14-14 "Abraham Rescues Lot") to rescue his nephew Lot and recover the spoils, thereby highlighting Abraham's role as a deliverer and a figure through whom God's purposes are advanced.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 14:10](/genesis/14-10 "The Battle in the Vale of Siddim") offers a vivid reminder that circumstances, both natural and human-made, significantly impact the outcomes of our choices and conflicts. The kings' desperate flight into the "slimepits" underscores the reality of immediate consequences for rebellion and poor judgment. While this specific event describes physical warfare, it serves as a powerful metaphor for life's "pits"—situations where misguided decisions or a refusal to yield to wisdom can lead to entrapment and difficulty. It challenges us to discern our "terrain," both literally and figuratively, and to consider the potential hazards and consequences before embarking on significant endeavors or engaging in conflict, reminding us that even the powerful can be brought low by the unexpected.

### FAQ

**What were the "slimepits" mentioned in Genesis 14:10?**

Answer: The "slimepits" (Hebrew: *be'erot chemar*) were natural pits filled with bitumen or asphalt, a tar-like substance common in the region of the [Vale of Siddim](/genesis/14-3 "The Vale of Siddim"), which is generally identified with the area that later became the Dead Sea. These pits were treacherous, sticky traps, especially for those fleeing in panic during battle.

**Why is the detail about the "slimepits" important to the narrative?**

Answer: This detail is crucial because it explains the immediate and ignominious defeat of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. Their fall into these natural hazards highlights their vulnerability and the chaotic nature of their rout. The "slimepits" also serve as a subtle foreshadowing of the later destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, where the very ground would open up or be consumed by fire, echoing the idea of a natural (or supernatural) trap.

**What happened to the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah after falling into the pits?**

Answer: The verse states they "fled, and fell there." While it doesn't explicitly say they died in the pits, their fall signifies their complete defeat and capture or incapacitation. The king of Sodom is later seen alive in [Genesis 14:17](/genesis/14-17 "The King of Sodom Meets Abraham"), suggesting he either escaped the pit or was rescued, but his initial fall marked a decisive moment of vulnerability and loss.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Genesis 14:10](/genesis/14-10 "The Battle in the Vale of Siddim") describes a specific historical battle and the defeat of earthly kings, it subtly points to a greater reality fulfilled in Christ. The narrative of kings falling into pits and the need for rescue (as seen in Abraham's subsequent actions) prefigures humanity's fall into the "pit" of sin and death, from which no earthly power can escape. Christ, as the ultimate King and Deliverer, fulfills the archetype of a rescuer far beyond Abraham's temporary victory. He descends into the depths of human sin and death, not to be trapped, but to conquer, rising victorious to offer true and eternal rescue from the ultimate "pit" of judgment. His sovereignty extends not only over human conflicts but over all natural forces and the very consequences of sin, offering a final escape and triumph for those who trust in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 19:17

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.

Genesis 19:30

¶ And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.

Jeremiah 48:44

He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, [even] upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

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.

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.

Psalms 83:10

[Which] perished at Endor: they became [as] dung for the earth.

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.