Genesis 14:8

And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same [is] Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;

And there went out {H3318} the king {H4428} of Sodom {H5467}, and the king {H4428} of Gomorrah {H6017}, and the king {H4428} of Admah {H126}, and the king {H4428} of Zeboiim {H6636}, and the king {H4428} of Bela {H1106}(the same {H1931} is Zoar {H6820};) and they joined {H6186} battle {H4421} with them in the vale {H6010} of Siddim {H7708};

Then the kings of S'dom, 'Amora, Admah, Tzvoyim and Bela (that is, Tzo'ar) came out and arrayed themselves for battle in the Siddim Valley

Then 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

And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar); and they set the battle in array against them in the vale of Siddim;

Commentary

Genesis 14:8 describes the immediate preparations for a significant battle in the early biblical narrative, detailing the coalition of local kings who rose up against the invading Mesopotamian forces. This verse sets the stage for a dramatic conflict that would directly impact Abraham's nephew, Lot.

Context

This verse is part of a larger historical account in Genesis 14, which recounts the first major war described in the Bible. For twelve years, the kings of the "Cities of the Plain"—Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (also known as Zoar)—had been subservient to Chedorlaomer, the king of Elam, and his allies. In the thirteenth year, they rebelled. Genesis 14:8 details their decision to confront the invading coalition in the Vale of Siddim, a valley near the Dead Sea. This engagement is crucial because it directly leads to the capture of Lot, which then prompts Abram's heroic intervention.

Key Themes

  • Ancient Warfare and Alliances: The verse vividly portrays the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East, characterized by city-states forming temporary alliances for defense or aggression. It highlights the constant struggle for dominance and freedom.
  • The Cities of the Plain: The mention of Sodom and Gomorrah, along with Admah and Zeboiim, is significant. These cities are infamous in biblical history for their wickedness, which ultimately led to their divine destruction. Their initial rebellion here sets the stage for further interactions with Abraham and Lot.
  • Geographic Significance: The "vale of Siddim" is not just a battleground but a key geographical marker, later associated with the salt pits and the Dead Sea itself, emphasizing the harsh realities of the region.

Linguistic Insights

The term "vale of Siddim" (Hebrew: ‛ēmeq haśśiddîm) literally means "valley of the fields" or "valley of the plains." Its unique feature, as described in Genesis 14:10, was that it was "full of slimepits" (bitumen or tar pits). These natural hazards played a crucial role in the outcome of the battle, as many of the fleeing kings and their armies fell into them.

Practical Application

While Genesis 14:8 describes an ancient battle, it reminds us of the consequences of conflict and rebellion. It underscores that even in human affairs, God's overarching plan is at work, often using seemingly ordinary events to move His narrative forward. The battle’s outcome directly impacts Lot, leading to Abram’s demonstration of faith and courage, and setting the stage for the appearance of Melchizedek, king of Salem. This passage shows how early biblical events are interconnected and lay groundwork for future theological developments.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 13:10 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 19:20 (3 votes)

    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.

  • Genesis 19:22 (3 votes)

    Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

  • Genesis 14:2 (2 votes)

    [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.

  • Genesis 14:3 (2 votes)

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

  • Genesis 14:10 (2 votes)

    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.