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Before the war: Introduction of the Five Kings

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Before the war: Introduction of the Five Kings

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Genesis 14 begins by introducing the five kings: Amraphel (king of Shinar , Rashi: Nimrod), Arioch (king of Ellasar), Chedorlaomer (king of Elam), Tidal (king of Goyim), and an unnamed king. The name 'Goyim' for Tidal's kingdom suggests it was a melting pot of many nations.

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Before the war: Introduction of the Four Kings

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Before the war: Introduction of the Four Kings

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The four kings opposing the five kings were: Bera (king of Sodom), Birsha (king of Gomorrah), Shineab (king of Admah), and Shemeber (king of Zeboiim). Rashi explains the meanings behind these kings' names, highlighting their wickedness.

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The battle took place in the Valley of Siddim, which is identified as the Dead Sea area. Rashi explains that it was called Siddim because there were many fields in the area. This location was significant as it was near the cities of the four kings, Sodom and Gomorrah.

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Years 1-12: Subjugation under Chedorlaomer

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Years 1-12: Subjugation under Chedorlaomer

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For twelve years, the cities of the four kings (Sodom, Gomorrah, etc) served Chedorlaomer, one of the five kings . They payed him taxes but then refused.

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In the thirteenth year, the four kings and their cities rebelled against Chedorlaomer's rule. This act of defiance led to the war that would soon follow.

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Year 14: The Five Kings' Campaign Begins

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Year 14: The Five Kings' Campaign Begins

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In the fourteenth year, Chedorlaomer and his allies (the other four kings) launched their military campaign. They began by defeating several other nations and peoples in the region, demonstrating their military might.

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The five kings' army defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, and the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim. These victories showed the strength and reach of the five kings' coalition.

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Defeat of the Horites and reach to El-paran

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Defeat of the Horites and reach to El-paran

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The campaign continued with the defeat of the Horites in their mountain of Seir, as far as El-paran, which is on the edge of the wilderness. This extended the five kings' control over a vast territory.

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Return to En-mishpat and defeat of the Amalekites

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Return to En-mishpat and defeat of the Amalekites

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The five kings then turned back and came to En-mishpat (also known as Kadesh). There, they defeated the Amalekites and the Amorites who dwelt in Hazezon-tamar, further expanding their conquest.

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Facing the approaching army of the five kings, the four kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim prepared for battle. They gathered their forces in the Valley of Siddim to make their stand against the invaders.

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A great battle ensued in the Valley of Siddim between the five kings and the four kings. The valley, full of bitumen pits, played a crucial role in the outcome of the battle.

Bitumen pits, also known as tar pits, are natural deposits of thick, sticky, asphalt-like substances formed from petroleum that has seeped to the surface. Over time, volatile components evaporate, leaving behind a dense, viscous material known as bitumen or tar. These pits can trap animals or objects that come into contact with them.

In the context of the story from Genesis, the valley of Siddim, where the battle between the kings took place, was full of these bitumen pits. The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled the battle, and some of them fell into these pits. Bitumen was commonly used in ancient construction, including for building materials and waterproofing.

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The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled and fell into the bitumen pits, while the rest fled to the mountains. This marked the defeat of the four kings and their allies.

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Following their victory, the five kings took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food supplies. They also captured Lot, Abraham's nephew, who was living in Sodom at the time.

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14:13 "And the fugitive came and he told Abram the Hebrew ...." Rashi: And the fugitive came According to its simple meaning, this was Og, who escaped from the battle, and that is what is referred to (in Deut. 3:11): “Only Og survived from the rest of the Rephaim.”

14:14 "And Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, and he armed his trained men, those born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and he pursued [them] until Dan" Rashi: his trained men Heb. חֲנִיכָיו. It is written חֲנִיכוֹ [in the singular], his trained man this is Eliezer, whom he had trained to [perform the] commandments ...

When Abraham learned of Lot's capture, he quickly assembled 318 trained men, including Eliezer or only Eliezer, and pursued the invaders. Abram divided his forces, attacked at night, and chased the enemies as far as Hobah, near Damascus. He recovered all the stolen goods, as well as Lot and the other captives.

After the victory, the king of Sodom met Abram in the Valley of Shaveh, and Malchizedek, king of Salem (identified as Shem, son of Noah), blessed Abram and brought him bread and wine. Abram gave Malchizedek maaser of everything. The king of Sodom offered Abram the recovered goods, asking only for the people. However, Abram refused to take anything, not wanting the king of Sodom to claim he made Abram wealthy. Abram allowed his allies Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre to take their share of the spoils.