King James Version

What Does Genesis 14:9 Mean?

Genesis 14:9 in the King James Version says “With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ella...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 14:9 · KJV

Context

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.

11

And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.

Read Genesis 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and... 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. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
אֵ֣ת1 of 17
H854

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

כְּדָרְלָעֹ֜מֶר2 of 17

“With Chedorlaomer”

H3540

kedorlaomer, an early persian king

מְלָכִ֖ים3 of 17

“king”

H4428

a king

עֵילָ֗ם4 of 17

“of Elam”

H5867

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

וְתִדְעָל֙5 of 17

“and with Tidal”

H8413

tidal, a canaanite

מְלָכִ֖ים6 of 17

“king”

H4428

a king

גּוֹיִ֔ם7 of 17

“of nations”

H1471

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

וְאַמְרָפֶל֙8 of 17

“and Amraphel”

H569

amraphel, a king of shinar

מְלָכִ֖ים9 of 17

“king”

H4428

a king

שִׁנְעָ֔ר10 of 17

“of Shinar”

H8152

shinar, a plain in babylonia

וְאַרְי֖וֹךְ11 of 17

“and Arioch”

H746

arjok, the name of two babylonians

מְלָכִ֖ים12 of 17

“king”

H4428

a king

אֶלָּסָ֑ר13 of 17

“of Ellasar”

H495

ellasar, an early country of asia

אַרְבָּעָ֥ה14 of 17

“four”

H702

four

מְלָכִ֖ים15 of 17

“king”

H4428

a king

אֶת16 of 17
H854

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

הַֽחֲמִשָּֽׁה׃17 of 17

“with five”

H2568

five

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 14:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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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