Genesis 14:9
What does Genesis 14:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 14:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 14:9 means
This verse reiterates the two opposing forces: Chedorlaomer, Tidal, Amraphel, and Arioch (four kings) stood against the five kings of the Jordan plain. This clear numerical imbalance, noted explicitly, highlights the formidable challenge faced by the local kings. The repetition of the kings' names underscores the gravity of the conflict and sets the stage for the unfolding battle, emphasizing the significant power differential.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings against the five.
KJV
King James Version · 1611With 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings against the five.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Against Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, and Tidal, king of Goiim, and Amraphel, king of Shinar, and Arioch, king of Ellasar: four kings against the five.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862with Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goyim, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with the five.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752To wit, against Chodorlahomor king of the Elamites, and Thadal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Sennaar, and Arioch king of Pontus: four kings against five.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890with Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and Tidal the king of nations, and Amraphel the king of Shinar, and Arioch the king of Ellasar — four kings with the five.
Context
This verse serves to clearly delineate the two opposing sides in the battle, directly stating 'four kings against the five.' It immediately follows the kings of the plain going out to meet their adversaries, providing a concise summary of the forces arrayed against each other before the description of the battle itself.
v.8And 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 set the battle in array against them in the vale of Siddim;
v.9This passage
v.10Now 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.
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