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;

GENESIS 14:8KJV
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Genesis 14:8 (KJV)

What does Genesis 14:8 mean?

Genesis 14:8 describes how the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (also called Zoar) went out together to fight a group of opposing kings in the Valley of Siddim. This verse sets the stage for a major battle between two alliances of kings in the region.

The verse is part of a story about a coalition of local kings who join forces to defend their cities against invading rulers from the east. The kings mentioned here are leaders of well-known cities in the area near the Dead Sea. The “vale of Siddim” is a valley that becomes the battlefield for this conflict, which will have important consequences for the people living there, including Abram’s nephew Lot.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 14:8

  • וַיֵּצֵא (vayetze / "out", H3318): This word means "went out" or "came forth," emphasizing that the kings actively left their cities to confront their enemies, rather than waiting to be attacked.
  • מֶלֶךְ (melech / "king", H4428): This word is used repeatedly, highlighting the leadership and authority of each city involved in the alliance.
  • צֹעַר (Tsoar / "Zoar", H6820): The verse notes that Bela is also called Zoar, which helps readers connect different names for the same place in later stories.
  • עֵמֶק (emek / "vale", H6010): This word means "valley," pointing to the specific geographical setting of the battle, which is important for understanding the story’s context.

Why Genesis 14:8 matters

  • Genesis 14:8 clarifies which kings and cities are involved in the battle, helping readers track the alliances and rivalries in this part of Genesis.
  • The verse sets up the dramatic events that follow, including the capture of Lot, which leads to Abram’s involvement in the conflict.
  • By naming the “vale of Siddim,” the verse anchors the story in a real location, connecting the biblical narrative to the geography of the region.

Where else these words appear

“Siddim” Hebrew H7708 · used in 3 verses

  • Genesis 14:3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
  • Genesis 14:10 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.

“Admah” Hebrew H126 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Genesis 14:2 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.
  • Deuteronomy 29:23 And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:

“Zeboiim” Hebrew H6636 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Genesis 14:2 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.
  • Deuteronomy 29:23 And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:

“Zoar” Hebrew H6820 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 13:10 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 19:22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
  • Deuteronomy 34:3 And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar.