GENESIS 14:1,2

Genesis 14:1-2 (NASB)


GE 14:1 And it came about in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim,


GE 14:2 that they 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 (that is, Zoar).

 Conditions in Palestine: General conditions in Palestine during the time of the patriarchs support the descriptions described in Genesis. 

 -   Abraham’s warlike behavior in Genesis 14 fits with the picture of nomadic military engagements that are seen in the Mari tablets. This period in Canaan (c. 2100 B.C.) was one of sparse population consisting of weak minor kingdoms that would often times form alliances for mutual protection. Genesis 14 is right in line with the description of the account of the invasion of the four kings.



   Like many that lived in that day the patriarchs are described as ordinary people. Landless, mobile, tent-dwelling, and living by means of herding and agriculture. The search for water, grazing land for flocks, and maintenance of peace with neighbors was a part of everyday life. Their comings and goings would not be recorded in any state archives. Where it is recorded, however, is in the Bible.

 -   Clarification of the nomadic lifestyles of the patriarchs is supported by descriptions found in the Mari Tablets. Jacob’s taking up residence near Shechem  (Gen. 34) and later near Hebron (Gen. 37:12-18) is similar to the practices of the leaders of nomadic tribes near Mari.

 Keep in mind that the body of information available to modern scholarship is very small, almost non-existent. Since Genesis is our only ancient source for the lives of the patriarchs, it deserves the pride of place. Let the critics offer proof that Abraham did not exist. In the absence of such unattainable proof, it is only logical to admit the evidence of the biblical text, without the arguments from silence that always characterize attacks on Scripture. Archaeology still provides illumination for the patriarchal time period without being forced to bear the impossible burden of proving their existence.



1. אמרפל  'amrāpel, Amraphel; related: unknown. אלריוך  'aryôk, Ariok, “leonine?” related: ארי  'arı̂y, “a lion:” a name re-appearing in the time of Daniel Dan_2:14. אלסר  'elāsār Ellasar (related: unknown) is identified with Larsa or Larancha, the Λάρισσα  Larissa or Λαράχων  Larachōn of the Greeks, now Senkereh, a town of lower Babylonia, between Mugheir (Ur) and Warka (Erek) on the left bank of the Frat. כדרלעמר  kedārlā‛omer, Kedorla’omer, was compared by Col. Rawlinson with Kudur-mapula or mabuk, whose name is found on the bricks of Chaldaea, and whose title is Apda martu, ravager of the west. He translates it “servant of Lagamer,” one of the national divinities of Susiana. It is also compared with Kedar el-Ahmar, “Kedar the Red,” a hero in Arabian story. תדעל  tı̂d‛āl, Tid’al, “terror.” גוים  gôyı̂m, Goim, “nations.”
2. ברע  bera‛, Bera‘, “gift?” ברשׁע  bı̂rsha, Birsha‘, “long and thick?” Arabic שׁנאב  shı̂n'āb, Shinab, “coolness?” אדמה  'admâh, Admah, “red soil” שׁמאבר  shem'ēber, Shemeber, “high-soaring?” צביים;  tsebôyı̂ym, Tseboim, “gazelles.” בלע  be