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 14:2KJVWhat does Genesis 14:2 mean?
Genesis 14:2 lists the kings of five cities—Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (also called Zoar)—who joined together to fight against a group of other kings. This verse sets up a conflict that becomes important in the story of Abram (later called Abraham).
Genesis 14:2 is part of a historical account describing a war in the region where Abram lived. The verse names the leaders and their cities, showing that these were real places and people known to the original audience. This sets the stage for the events that follow, including Abram’s involvement and the rescue of his nephew Lot.
The Hebrew behind Genesis 14:2
- The word for "made" (עָשָׂה, ʿasah) here means to do or to make, but in this context, it carries the sense of taking action or forming an alliance for war.
- The word for "war" (מִלְחָמָה, milḥamah) specifically refers to armed conflict, highlighting that this was not just a disagreement but an actual battle.
- The names Sodom (סְדֹם, Sedom), Gomorrah (עֲמֹרָה, ʿAmorah), Admah (אַדְמָה, Admah), Zeboiim (צְבֹיִים, Tsevoyim), and Bela (בֶּלַע, Belaʿ) are all ancient cities in the region near the Dead Sea, and the text emphasizes their historical reality by listing their kings.
Why Genesis 14:2 matters
- This verse clarifies that the conflict was not just between individuals but involved entire city-states and their rulers, showing the scale and seriousness of the war.
- By naming each king and city, Genesis 14:2 grounds the story in a specific historical and geographical context, which helps readers see the Bible’s narrative as rooted in real events.
- The verse prepares readers for Abram’s later actions, making his intervention more significant by showing the strength and number of the opposing forces.