King James Version

What Does Genesis 14:4 Mean?

Genesis 14:4 in the King James Version says “Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 14:4 · KJV

Context

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.

5

And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim, Shaveh: or, The plain of Kiriathaim

6

And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness. Elparan: or, The plain of Paran

Read Genesis 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.... 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 this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
שְׁתֵּ֤ים1 of 10
H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה2 of 10

“Twelve”

H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

שָׁנָ֖ה3 of 10

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

עָֽבְד֖וּ4 of 10

“they served”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֶת5 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כְּדָרְלָעֹ֑מֶר6 of 10

“Chedorlaomer”

H3540

kedorlaomer, an early persian king

וּשְׁלֹשׁ7 of 10

“and in the thirteenth”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה8 of 10

“Twelve”

H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

שָׁנָ֖ה9 of 10

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

מָרָֽדוּ׃10 of 10

“they rebelled”

H4775

to rebel

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 14:4 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 14:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 9:25-26Ezekiel 17:15

Test Your Knowledge

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