Genesis 14:6
and the Horites in their hill country of Seir as far as El-paran on the border of the wilderness.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse highlights the vastness of the ancient world and the reach of these early conflicts, showing that "mount Seir" and "El-paran" weren't just random names but defined the furthest extent of this king's devastating campaign. It wasn't just a regional skirmish; it pushed into territories connected to the wilderness, a significant geographical marker for the Israelites' later journey.
This verse appears in the midst of a narrative describing a military campaign by four kings against five kings in the region of the Dead Sea. After defeating the local kings, the victorious army plundered cities, including Sodom, and captured many inhabitants, notably Lot, Abraham's nephew. This verse details the vast geographical reach of the initial conquests, tracing the path of the invading army through the territory of the Horites in Seir before they turned towards the valley of Siddim.
Who were these 'Horites' mentioned in Genesis 14? Their name hints at their way of life, and their land tells a story of ancient migrations and conflicts.
The verse introduces us to the 'Horites,' a people inhabiting the mountainous region of Seir. Their name likely comes from an ancient word meaning 'cave dwellers' or 'troglodytes,' suggesting they lived in natural caves or rock-hewn dwellings.
Ancient Inhabitants
What does 'El-paran' signify? This place marks a distant point in the ancient world, located on the edge of vast, untamed regions.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Genesis 14:6 is available in the Sola app.
El-paran is mentioned as the northernmost extent of the Horites' territory that was impacted by the kings' campaign. Its location provides a geographical marker in this ancient narrative.
Geographical Significance
Understand the original words
Chori · Hebrew Proper Noun
A pre-Edomite people group inhabiting the mountainous region of Seir, known for living in caves or hill country before being displaced by the descendants of Esau.
Se'iyr · Hebrew Proper Noun
A geographic region associated with the mountainous area south of the Dead Sea, later becoming the dwelling place of Esau (Edom).
midbar · Hebrew Noun
A vast, uncultivated, desolate area, often representing a place of testing, refuge, or divine encounter in biblical history.
This verse places the Horites and their territory in Seir within the context of a major military campaign led by Chedorlaomer, King of Elam, illustrating the geopolitical landscape and the extent of this ancient conflict that involved Abram.
c. 2000 BC - 1800 BC— this verse
Horites inhabit Seir
The Horites, often described as 'cave dwellers,' were an ancient people who inhabited the mountainous region of Seir, located between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqabah.
c. 1800 BC
Rise of Chedorlaomer
Chedorlaomer, King of Elam, establishes a regional hegemony, forming an alliance with other kings to control trade routes stretching towards the west.
c. 1800 BC
Campaign of Chedorlaomer
Chedorlaomer and his allies launch a military campaign, subjugating various peoples and cities in the Transjordan and the Dead Sea region, including the Horites.
c. 1800 BC
The Valley of Siddim Battle
The kings of the five cities of the plain, including Sodom and Gomorrah, rebel against Chedorlaomer, leading to a battle in the Vale of Siddim where they are defeated.
c. 1800 BC
Lot is Captured
During the conflict, Lot, who had settled in Sodom, is taken captive along with his possessions by Chedorlaomer's forces.
c. 1800 BC
Abram Pursues the Kings
Upon hearing of Lot's capture, Abram assembles his trained men and allies, pursuing Chedorlaomer's army northwards as far as Damascus to rescue Lot.
c. 1800 BC
Melchizedek Blesses Abram
After his victory, Abram is met by Melchizedek, King of Salem and priest of the Most High God, who blesses him and receives a tithe from Abram.
This passage identifies the Horites as the original inhabitants of the land of Seir, who were later displaced by Esau's descendants, providing context for the people group mentioned in Genesis 14:6.
Deuteronomy 2:12This verse directly references the Horites of Seir, noting that they were previously inhabitants before being dispossessed by the descendants of Esau, reinforcing the historical context of their dwelling place.
Genesis 21:21This verse mentions the Wilderness of Paran in relation to Hagar and Ishmael, connecting it geographically to the same wilderness area adjacent to Seir and El-paran, as described in Genesis 14:6.
Joshua 13:22This passage lists Balaam the son of Beor among those killed by the Israelites, identifying him as a diviner and linking him to the region of Seir, which was associated with the Horites.
gillGenesis 14:6: "And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness."
And the Horites in their Mount Seir,.... Or the Horim who dwelt in Mount Seir, so called from Seir the Horite, who continued here till they were drove out by the sons of Esau or Edom, from whom their country was afterwards called Edom or Idumea, see Genesis 36:20 Deuteronomy 2:12 , unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness; so far these Horites inhabited, and the four kings smote all they met with unto…
clarkeGenesis 14:6: "And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness."
The Horites - A people that dwelt in Mount Seir, till Esau and his sons drove them thence; Deuteronomy 2:22 . El-paran - The plain or oak of Paran, which was a city in the wilderness of Paran; Genesis 21:21.
This verse highlights the vastness of the ancient world and the reach of these early conflicts, showing that "mount Seir" and "El-paran" weren't just random names but defined the furthest extent of this king's devastating campaign. It wasn't just a regional skirmish; it pushed into territories connected to the wilderness, a significant geographical marker for the Israelites' later journey.
This verse appears in the midst of a narrative describing a military campaign by four kings against five kings in the region of the Dead Sea. After defeating the local kings, the victorious army plundered cities, including Sodom, and captured many inhabitants, notably Lot, Abraham's nephew. This verse details the vast geographical reach of the initial conquests, tracing the path of the invading army through the territory of the Horites in Seir before they turned towards the valley of Siddim.
This verse appears in the midst of a narrative describing a military campaign by four kings against five kings in the region of the Dead Sea. After defeating the local kings, the victorious army plundered cities, including Sodom, and captured many inhabitants, notably Lot, Abraham's nephew. This verse details the vast geographical reach of the initial conquests, tracing the path of the invading army through the territory of the Horites in Seir before they turned towards the valley of Siddim.
"and the Horites in their hill country of Seir as far as El-paran on the border of the wilderness." — This verse highlights the vastness of the ancient world and the reach of these early conflicts, showing that "mount Seir" and "El-paran" weren't just random names but defined the furthest extent of t…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
