King James Version

What Does Genesis 14:1 Mean?

Genesis 14:1 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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;”

Genesis 14:1 · KJV

Context

1

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;

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.

3

All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.

Read Genesis 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer kin... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How should this truth about Divine Deliverance shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַיְהִ֗י1 of 14
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בִּימֵי֙2 of 14

“And it came to pass in the days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אַמְרָפֶ֣ל3 of 14

“of Amraphel”

H569

amraphel, a king of shinar

מֶ֥לֶךְ4 of 14

“king”

H4428

a king

שִׁנְעָ֔ר5 of 14

“of Shinar”

H8152

shinar, a plain in babylonia

אַרְי֖וֹךְ6 of 14

“Arioch”

H746

arjok, the name of two babylonians

מֶ֥לֶךְ7 of 14

“king”

H4428

a king

אֶלָּסָ֑ר8 of 14

“of Ellasar”

H495

ellasar, an early country of asia

כְּדָרְלָעֹ֙מֶר֙9 of 14

“Chedorlaomer”

H3540

kedorlaomer, an early persian king

מֶ֥לֶךְ10 of 14

“king”

H4428

a king

עֵילָ֔ם11 of 14

“of Elam”

H5867

elam, a son of shem and his descendants, with their country; also of six israelites

וְתִדְעָ֖ל12 of 14

“and Tidal”

H8413

tidal, a canaanite

מֶ֥לֶךְ13 of 14

“king”

H4428

a king

גּוֹיִֽם׃14 of 14

“of nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 14:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 14:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 10:10Genesis 10:22Genesis 11:2Isaiah 37:12Isaiah 11:11Jeremiah 25:25

Places in This Verse

ElamRegion · Modern: Shush · 32.19°N, 48.26°E16 verses across 6 books
EllasarSettlement · Modern: Assur · 35.46°N, 43.26°E2 verses across 1 book
Goiim 1Special Place · Modern: Damascus · 33.51°N, 36.31°E2 verses across 1 book
ShinarRegion · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E8 verses across 5 books
View all places in Genesis 14 →

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