King James Version

What Does Genesis 14:8 Mean?

Genesis 14:8 in the King James Version says “And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;”

Genesis 14:8 · KJV

Context

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.

8

And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;

9

With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.

10

And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits ; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king ... 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 can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיֵּצֵ֨א1 of 18

“And there went out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וּמֶ֥לֶךְ2 of 18

“and the king”

H4428

a king

סְדֹ֜ם3 of 18

“of Sodom”

H5467

sedom, a place near the dead sea

וּמֶ֥לֶךְ4 of 18

“and the king”

H4428

a king

עֲמֹרָ֗ה5 of 18

“of Gomorrah”

H6017

amorah, a place in palestine

וּמֶ֥לֶךְ6 of 18

“and the king”

H4428

a king

אַדְמָה֙7 of 18

“of Admah”

H126

admah, a place near the dead sea

וּמֶ֥לֶךְ8 of 18

“and the king”

H4428

a king

צְבֹיִ֔ים9 of 18

“of Zeboiim”

H6636

tseboim or tsebijim, a place in palestine

וּמֶ֥לֶךְ10 of 18

“and the king”

H4428

a king

בֶּ֖לַע11 of 18

“of Bela”

H1106

bela, the name of a place

הִוא12 of 18

“the same”

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

צֹ֑עַר13 of 18

“is Zoar”

H6820

tsoar, a place east of the jordan

וַיַּֽעַרְכ֤וּ14 of 18

“and they joined”

H6186

to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)

אִתָּם֙15 of 18
H854

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

מִלְחָמָ֔ה16 of 18

“battle”

H4421

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

בְּעֵ֖מֶק17 of 18

“with them in the vale”

H6010

a vale (i.e., broad depression)

הַשִּׂדִּֽים׃18 of 18

“of Siddim”

H7708

siddim, a valley in palestine

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 14:8 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 14:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 19:20Genesis 13:10Genesis 19:22Genesis 14:10Genesis 14:2-3

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
Valley of SiddimValley · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E3 verses across 1 book
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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