Genesis 14:3

All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.

All these were joined together {H2266} in the vale {H6010} of Siddim {H7708}, which {H1931} is the salt {H4417} sea {H3220}.

All the latter kings joined forces in the Siddim Valley, where the Dead Sea is.

The latter five came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).

All these joined together in the vale of Siddim (the same is the Salt Sea).

Genesis 14:3 identifies the crucial geographical setting for a significant conflict in the early life of Abraham (then Abram).

Context

This verse is part of the account of the "War of the Kings" described in Genesis chapter 14. It immediately follows the naming of the five rebellious city-kings (Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela/Zoar) who had served Chedorlaomer for twelve years but rebelled in the thirteenth. The verse specifies the location where these five kings united their forces to confront the invading Mesopotamian coalition. This valley was strategically vital, leading to the dramatic events that would involve Lot's capture and Abram's subsequent rescue mission.

Geographical Significance

The "vale of Siddim" (Hebrew: emek ha-Siddim, meaning 'valley of the plains' or 'valley of the fields') is explicitly equated with "the salt sea," which is universally understood to be the Dead Sea. This identification is crucial for understanding the biblical narrative's geographical accuracy. The region was known for its bitumen pits (mentioned in Genesis 14:10), which were natural asphalt deposits. The low-lying, fertile plain around the Dead Sea was home to the wealthy cities of the plain, including Sodom and Gomorrah, making it a desirable and contested area. This historical detail firmly anchors the narrative in a real-world setting.

Key Themes

  • Biblical Geography and Accuracy: The precise identification of the "vale of Siddim" with the "Salt Sea" demonstrates the Bible's grounding in real geographical locations, lending credibility to its historical accounts.
  • Setting the Stage for Conflict: This verse pinpoints the battleground for the significant clash between regional powers, a conflict that directly impacts Abram and his family.
  • Foreshadowing Judgment: The mention of the "Salt Sea" subtly foreshadows the future destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, which would transform parts of this very region into an even more desolate landscape, serving as a powerful symbol of divine judgment (as seen in Genesis 19:24-25).

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew phrase for "vale of Siddim" is עֵמֶק הַשִּׂדִּים (emek ha-Siddim). Emek signifies a 'valley' or 'low plain'. While the exact meaning of Siddim is debated, it often refers to fields or plains, possibly hinting at the fertile (at the time) agricultural land. The term "salt sea" is יָם הַמֶּלַח (yam ha-melach), a straightforward and accurate description of its high salinity.

Practical Application

Even seemingly minor geographical details in Scripture serve to root the divine narrative in human history and real places. This verse reminds us that biblical events are not mythical tales but occurred in specific, identifiable locations. It underscores how God's plan unfolds within the complexities of human politics and geography, ultimately leading to His purposes. For the reader, understanding these details enriches the narrative and reinforces the Bible's reliability, encouraging a deeper trust in its account of God's interaction with humanity.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 3:17

    The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast [thereof], from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea, under Ashdothpisgah eastward.

  • Joshua 3:16

    That the waters which came down from above stood [and] rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that [is] beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea, failed, [and] were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.

  • Numbers 34:12

    And the border shall go down to Jordan, and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea: this shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about.

  • Genesis 19:24

    ¶ Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

  • Psalms 107:34

    A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
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