Genesis 14:2
What does Genesis 14:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 14:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 14:2 means
Here, five kings from the region of the Jordan plain are named, who will become the adversaries of the eastern coalition. Bera of Sodom, Birsha of Gomorrah, Shinab of Admah, Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar) are presented as a united front. These cities, particularly Sodom and Gomorrah, are known for their wickedness, a detail that will add moral weight to the subsequent events. Their alliance against the eastern kings highlights the regional tension and impending clash.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that 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).
KJV
King James Version · 1611That these 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, which is Zoar.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that 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).
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949They 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 (which is Zoar).
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862they have made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboim, and the king of Bela, which <FI>is<Fi> Zoar.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Made war against Bara, king of Sodom, and against Bersa, king of Gomorrha, and against Sennaab, king of Adama, and against Semeber, king of Seboim, and against the king of Bala, which is Segor.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890[that] they made war with Bera the king of Sodom, and with Birsha the king of Gomorrah, Shinab the king of Admah, and Shemeber the king of Zeboim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.
Context
Following the introduction of the four eastern kings in verse 1, this verse introduces their opponents: five kings from the cities of the Jordan plain. This establishes the two opposing forces in the upcoming war. This contrast between the powerful eastern aggressors and the local kings sets up the rebellion described in verse 4 and the subsequent military campaign.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 15:5
My heart crieth out for Moab; her nobles flee unto Zoar, to Eglath-shelishi-yah: for by the ascent of Luhith with weeping they go up; for in the way of Horonaim they raise up a cry of destruction.
- Genesis 13:10
And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the Plain of the Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before Jehovah destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of Jehovah, like the land of Egypt, as thou goest unto Zoar.
- Deuteronomy 29:23
and that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and a burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which Jehovah overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:
- Isaiah 1:9
Except Jehovah of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
- 1 Samuel 13:18
and another company turned the way to Beth-horon; and another company turned the way of the border that looketh down upon the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
- Nehemiah 11:34
Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
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