Devine Scripture

Genesis 14:1

What does Genesis 14:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 14:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 14:1 means

This verse introduces four powerful kings from the East: Amraphel of Shinar, Arioch of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer of Elam, and Tidal of Goiim. These rulers represent a significant geopolitical force in the ancient Near East, establishing the conflict that will drive the chapter's events. Their involvement underscores the widespread nature of the impending war and the broad scope of their dominion, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation that will unexpectedly draw Abram into its orbit.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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 Goiim,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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 Goiim,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now in the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar, Arioch, king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, and Tidal, king of Goiim,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And it cometh to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goyim,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And it came to pass at that time, that Amraphel, king of Sennaar, and Arioch, king of Pontus, and Chodorlahomor, king of the Elamites, and Thadal, king of nations,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel the king of Shinar, Arioch the king of El-lasar, Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and Tidal the king of nations,

Context

This verse begins the historical account of the first war recorded in the Bible. It immediately introduces the primary aggressors, four eastern kings, establishing their identities and origins. This introduction sets the scene for the conflict with the kings of the Jordan plain, providing essential background before detailing the rebellion and subsequent military campaign in the following verses.

v.1This passage

v.2that they 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 (the same is Zoar).

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 37:12

    Have the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have destroyed, Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden that were in Telassar?

  • Ezekiel 32:24

    There is Elam and all her multitude round about her grave; all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, who caused their terror in the land of the living, and have borne their shame with them that go down to the pit.

  • Isaiah 22:6

    And Elam bare the quiver, with chariots of men and horsemen; and Kir uncovered the shield.

  • Isaiah 11:11

    And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord will set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, that shall remain, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

  • Genesis 10:10

    And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

  • Daniel 1:2

    And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God; and he carried them into the land of Shinar to the house of his god: and he brought the vessels into the treasure-house of his god.

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