King James Version

What Does Genesis 14:5 Mean?

Genesis 14:5 in the King James Version says “And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karn...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Genesis 14:5 · KJV

Context

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

7

And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.

Read Genesis 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephai... 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. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וּבְאַרְבַּע֩1 of 20
H702

four

עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה2 of 20

“And in the fourteenth”

H6240

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

שָׁנָ֜ה3 of 20

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

בָּ֣א4 of 20

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

כְדָרְלָעֹ֗מֶר5 of 20

“Chedorlaomer”

H3540

kedorlaomer, an early persian king

וְהַמְּלָכִים֙6 of 20

“and the kings”

H4428

a king

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אִתּ֔וֹ8 of 20
H854

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

וַיַּכּ֤וּ9 of 20

“that were with him and smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת10 of 20
H853

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

רְפָאִים֙11 of 20

“the Rephaims”

H7497

a giant

בְּעַשְׁתְּרֹ֣ת12 of 20
H0
קַרְנַ֔יִם13 of 20

“in Ashteroth Karnaim”

H6255

ashteroth-karnaim, a place east of the jordan

וְאֶת14 of 20
H853

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

הַזּוּזִ֖ים15 of 20

“and the Zuzims”

H2104

zuzites, an indigenous tribe of palestine

בְּהָ֑ם16 of 20

“in Ham”

H1990

ham, a region of palestine

וְאֵת֙17 of 20
H853

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

הָֽאֵימִ֔ים18 of 20

“and the Emims”

H368

emim, an early canaanitish (or maobitish) tribe

בְּשָׁוֵ֖ה19 of 20
H0
קִרְיָתָֽיִם׃20 of 20

“in Shaveh Kiriathaim”

H7741

shaveh-kirjathajim, 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 14:5 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 14:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 2:10-11Deuteronomy 1:4Genesis 15:20Deuteronomy 3:11Deuteronomy 3:221 Chronicles 11:15

Places in This Verse

Ashteroth-karnaimSettlement · Modern: Tell Ashtara · 32.80°N, 36.02°E1 verse across 1 book
Ham 1Settlement · Modern: Tell Ham · 32.51°N, 35.81°E1 verse across 1 book
Shaveh-kiriathaimNatural Area · Modern: Al Qurayyat · 31.54°N, 35.69°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Genesis 14 →

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