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) went out, and they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim
English Standard Version (ESV)
These five kings, despite being rulers, are acting as a united front against the invading force, showcasing a collective defense born out of necessity and shared threat. It's a moment where independent powers set aside their own claims to stand together when faced with a greater danger.
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) went out, and they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim
English Standard Version (ESV)
After being conquered by four invading kings, the kings of Sodom and its neighboring cities, along with their armies, marched out to confront their oppressors in the Valley of Siddim. This confrontation was a desperate attempt by these five kings to reclaim their cities and freedom from the powerful coalition that had just defeated them.
When trouble comes, who stands with you? This verse names five kings, banding together against a common threat.
In Genesis 14, we see a coalition of five kings from the cities of the plain: Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (Zoar). They stand together in the Valley of Siddim to face an invasion by four powerful kings from the east.
This alliance, though ultimately defeated, highlights a crucial human dynamic: the tendency to band together when facing external pressures. Even in cities known for their wickedness, there's a recognition of shared vulnerability and the need for collective defense. It’s a stark reminder that even in places far from God, people instinctively seek strength in unity when threatened.
The battlefield can be more than just dirt and rocks. The Valley of Siddim becomes a place of crucial decision and dire consequence.
The 'Valley of Siddim' is not just a geographical location; it's a pivotal place where fate is decided. The Hebrew word for 'valley' can also mean 'plain,' suggesting a wide, open area. However, this particular valley held a hidden danger: it was 'full of slime pits' (Genesis 14:10).
These bitumen pits turned the battle into a trap, especially for the fleeing kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. What began as a stand against invaders quickly devolved into a desperate flight, leading them into a natural hazard that sealed their doom. This valley becomes a symbol of how unpreparedness and poor choices can lead to disaster, even when attempting to defend oneself.
Understand the original words
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melek · Hebrew Noun
A position of authority representing a city-state or territory; in Genesis, it denotes local rulers who held political and military power over specific populations.
milchamah · Hebrew Noun
A violent encounter between opposing armies; throughout Scripture, it often results in the judgment of nations or the defense of God's people.
c. 2000 BC
Rise of Mesopotamian Powers
Powerful city-states and empires, like Elam and Shinar (Babylonia), began to exert influence and military control over surrounding regions, including Canaan.
c. 2000 BC
Chedorlaomer's Hegemony
Chedorlaomer of Elam, allied with other regional kings, established a twelve-year period of tribute from the cities of the Jordan Valley, including Sodom and Gomorrah.
c. 2000 BC
Rebellion of the Pentapolis
After twelve years, the five kings of the Pentapolis (Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela/Zoar) rebelled against Chedorlaomer's rule.
c. 2000 BC
Military Campaign into Canaan
Chedorlaomer and his allies marched into Canaan to quell the rebellion, defeating various peoples along the way.
c. 2000 BC— this verse
Battle in the Valley of Siddim
The rebellious kings of the Pentapolis met Chedorlaomer's forces in the Valley of Siddim for a decisive battle.
This verse describes the fate of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, who fell into the slime pits of the Valley of Siddim, highlighting the destructive nature of the battle mentioned in Genesis 14:8.
Genesis 14:11-12These verses detail the spoils taken by the victorious kings, including the capture of Lot, Abraham's nephew, which directly sets up Abraham's later intervention and pursuit in Genesis 14:14-16.
Genesis 14:17This verse describes the king of Sodom meeting Abraham after his victory, showing the king's gratitude and recognition of Abraham's role in the aftermath of the battle.
Psalm 110:4This Psalm is interpreted in the New Testament (Hebrews 7) as a prophecy about Jesus Christ's eternal priesthood, drawing a parallel to Melchizedek, who appears in Genesis 14 immediately after the battle involving the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah.
gillGenesis 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 the king of Sodom,.... With his armed men to meet the four kings, and give them battle, being so near him, and in so much danger from them, that if they could not stand their ground, they might flee to the mountains, and not perish in the city: and the ki…
calvinGenesis 14:1-24: "And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;"
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;
Et egressus est rex Sedom, et rex Hamorah, et rex Admah, et rex Seboim, et rex Belah, ipsa est Sohar, et ordinaverunt cum eis…
These five kings, despite being rulers, are acting as a united front against the invading force, showcasing a collective defense born out of necessity and shared threat. It's a moment where independent powers set aside their own claims to stand together when faced with a greater danger.
After being conquered by four invading kings, the kings of Sodom and its neighboring cities, along with their armies, marched out to confront their oppressors in the Valley of Siddim. This confrontation was a desperate attempt by these five kings to reclaim their cities and freedom from the powerful coalition that had just defeated them.
After being conquered by four invading kings, the kings of Sodom and its neighboring cities, along with their armies, marched out to confront their oppressors in the Valley of Siddim. This confrontation was a desperate attempt by these five kings to reclaim their cities and freedom from the powerful coalition that had just defeated them.
"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) went out, and they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim" — These five kings, despite being rulers, are acting as a united front against the invading force, showcasing a collective defense born out of necessity and shared threat. It's a moment where independe…
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Last reviewed October 2026