King James Version

What Does Genesis 14:2 Mean?

Genesis 14:2 in the King James Version says “That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king o...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 14:2 · 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.

4

Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

Read Genesis 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah,... 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. How does understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. How should this truth about Divine Deliverance shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
עָשׂ֣וּ1 of 20

“That these made”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

מִלְחָמָ֗ה2 of 20

“war”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

וְאֶת3 of 20

“with”

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

בֶּ֙רַע֙4 of 20

“Bera”

H1298

bera, a sodomitish king

וּמֶ֥לֶךְ5 of 20

“and the king”

H4428

a king

סְדֹ֔ם6 of 20

“of Sodom”

H5467

sedom, a place near the dead sea

וְאֶת7 of 20

“with”

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

בִּרְשַׁ֖ע8 of 20

“and with Birsha”

H1306

birsha, a king of gomorrah

וּמֶ֥לֶךְ9 of 20

“and the king”

H4428

a king

עֲמֹרָ֑ה10 of 20

“of Gomorrah”

H6017

amorah, a place in palestine

שִׁנְאָ֣ב׀11 of 20

“Shinab”

H8134

shinab, a canaanite

וּמֶ֥לֶךְ12 of 20

“and the king”

H4428

a king

אַדְמָ֗ה13 of 20

“of Admah”

H126

admah, a place near the dead sea

וְשֶׁמְאֵ֙בֶר֙14 of 20

“and Shemeber”

H8038

shemeber, a king of zeboim

וּמֶ֥לֶךְ15 of 20

“and the king”

H4428

a king

צְבֹיִ֔ים16 of 20

“of Zeboiim”

H6636

tseboim or tsebijim, a place in palestine

וּמֶ֥לֶךְ17 of 20

“and the king”

H4428

a king

בֶּ֖לַע18 of 20

“of Bela”

H1106

bela, the name of a place

הִיא19 of 20

“which is”

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

צֹֽעַר׃20 of 20

“Zoar”

H6820

tsoar, a place east of the jordan

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 14:2 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 14:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 13:10Deuteronomy 29:23Genesis 10:19Isaiah 1:9-10Hosea 11:8Deuteronomy 34:3

Places in This Verse

AdmahSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E5 verses across 3 books
GomorrahSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E24 verses across 11 books
SodomSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E50 verses across 15 books
ZeboiimSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E5 verses across 3 books
ZoarSettlement · Modern: Al Safi · 31.04°N, 35.49°E9 verses across 4 books
View all places in Genesis 14 →

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