Devine Scripture

Genesis 14:10

What does Genesis 14:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 14:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 14:10 means

The Vale of Siddim was treacherous, filled with tar pits. During the battle, the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and some fell into these pits while others escaped to the safety of the mountains. This geographic detail explains the swift and disastrous defeat of the Jordan valley kings. The natural hazards of the battlefield contributed significantly to their rout, illustrating the chaotic and desperate nature of their flight from the victorious eastern forces.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now the valley of Siddim was full of holes of sticky earth; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah were put to flight and came to their end there, but the rest got away to the mountain.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the valley of Siddim <FI>is<Fi> full of bitumen-pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah flee, and fall there, and those left have fled to the mountain.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now the woodland vale had many pits of slime. And the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrha turned their backs, and were overthrown there: and they that remained, fled to the mountain.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse describes the immediate and disastrous outcome for the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, explaining their defeat and flight due to the treacherous tar pits in the Vale of Siddim. This follows the formation of the battle array and directly leads to the plundering of the defeated cities and the capture of Lot, which forms the basis for Abram's subsequent involvement.

v.9against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings against the five.

v.10This passage

v.11And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.

Cross references

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

  • Jeremiah 48:44

    He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon him, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith Jehovah.

  • Genesis 19:30

    And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.

  • Genesis 11:3

    And they said one to another, Come, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar.

  • Isaiah 24:18

    And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble.

  • Psalms 83:10

    Who perished at Endor, Who became as dung for the earth.

  • Joshua 8:24

    And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they pursued them, and they were all fallen by the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all Israel returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.

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