Genesis 14:10
Genesis 14:10 in Multiple Translations
Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some men fell into the pits, but the survivors fled to the hill country.
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.
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.
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.
There were many tar pits in the Valley of Siddim, and as the defeated kings of Sodom and Gomorrah ran away, some of their men fell into them while the rest ran to the hills.
Now the vale of Siddim was full of slime pits, and the Kings of Sodom and Gomorah fled and fell there: and ye residue fled to the mountaine.
And the valley of Siddim [is] full of bitumen-pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah flee, and fall there, and those left have fled to the mountain.
Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and some fell there. Those who remained fled to the hills.
And the vale of Siddim was full of slime-pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there: and they that remained fled to the mountain.
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.
The Siddim Valley was full of tar pits. So when the armies of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah tried to run away, many of the men fell into the tar pits. The others escaped and ran away to the hills.
Kedorlayomer and his mob won that fight. They beat those 5 tribes, and their soldiers all ran away. In that flat country there were lots of holes in the ground that were full of sticky black stuff, called tar. So when the soldiers from the 5 tribes ran away, some of them fell into those holes. But the rest of them ran up into the hills.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 14:10
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 14:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/עֵ֣מֶק
הַ/שִׂדִּ֗ים
בֶּֽאֱרֹ֤ת
בֶּאֱרֹת֙
חֵמָ֔ר
וַ/יָּנֻ֛סוּ
מֶֽלֶךְ
סְדֹ֥ם
וַ/עֲמֹרָ֖ה
וַ/יִּפְּלוּ
שָׁ֑מָּ/ה
וְ/הַ/נִּשְׁאָרִ֖ים
הֶ֥רָ/ה
נָּֽסוּ
וְ/עֵ֣מֶק
ʻêmeq
H6010
valley
Conj | N-ms
הַ/שִׂדִּ֗ים
Siddîym
H7708
Valley
Art | N-proper
בֶּֽאֱרֹ֤ת
bᵉʼêr
H875
well
N-fp
בֶּאֱרֹת֙
bᵉʼêr
H875
well
N-fp
חֵמָ֔ר
chêmâr
H2564
bitumen
N-ms
וַ/יָּנֻ֛סוּ
nûwç
H5127
to flee
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
מֶֽלֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
סְדֹ֥ם
Çᵉdôm
H5467
Sodom
N-proper
וַ/עֲמֹרָ֖ה
ʻĂmôrâh
H6017
Gomorrah
Conj | N-proper
וַ/יִּפְּלוּ
nâphal
H5307
to fall
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
שָׁ֑מָּ/ה
shâm
H8033
there
Adv | Suff
וְ/הַ/נִּשְׁאָרִ֖ים
shâʼar
H7604
to remain
Conj | Art | V-Niphal
הֶ֥רָ/ה
har
H2022
mountain
N-ms | Suff
נָּֽסוּ
nûwç
H5127
to flee
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 14:10
וְ/עֵ֣מֶק
ʻêmeq
H6010
"valley"
Conj | N-ms
Describes a valley or lowland area, like the Valley of Elah where David fought Goliath.
Definition: valley, vale, lowland, open country
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: dale, vale, valley (often used as a part of proper names). See also H1025 (בֵּית הָעֵמֶק). See also: Genesis 14:3; 2 Samuel 18:18; Psalms 60:8.
הַ/שִׂדִּ֗ים
Siddîym
H7708
"Valley"
Art | N-proper
Siddim refers to a valley in Palestine, also known as a field or plain. This valley is where the Dead Sea is located, and it is mentioned in the Bible as a significant geographical location.
Definition: § Siddim = "field" or "plain" valley where the Dead Sea is located
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: Siddim. See also: Genesis 14:3; Genesis 14:8; Genesis 14:10.
בֶּֽאֱרֹ֤ת
bᵉʼêr
H875
"well"
N-fp
A well or pit, like a water source, is what this word refers to. It can also mean a spring, and is often translated as a well or pit in the Bible.
Definition: well, pit, spring
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: pit, well. See also: Genesis 14:10; Genesis 29:3; Psalms 55:24.
בֶּאֱרֹת֙
bᵉʼêr
H875
"well"
N-fp
A well or pit, like a water source, is what this word refers to. It can also mean a spring, and is often translated as a well or pit in the Bible.
Definition: well, pit, spring
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: pit, well. See also: Genesis 14:10; Genesis 29:3; Psalms 55:24.
חֵמָ֔ר
chêmâr
H2564
"bitumen"
N-ms
In the original Hebrew, this word means bitumen or slime, often referring to a type of asphalt. It is used in the Bible to describe the surface of the earth.
Definition: slime, pitch, asphalt, bitumen
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: slime(-pit). See also: Genesis 11:3; Genesis 14:10; Exodus 2:3.
וַ/יָּנֻ֛סוּ
nûwç
H5127
"to flee"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To flee means to quickly leave a place, like escaping from danger, as seen in the Bible when David fled from King Saul. It can also mean to disappear or vanish. In the book of Psalms, it describes God delivering his people from harm.
Definition: 1) to flee, escape 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to flee 1a2) to escape 1a3) to take flight, m depart, disappear 1a4) to fly (to the attack) on horseback 1b) (Polel) to drive at 1c) (Hithpolel) to take flight 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to put to flight 1d2) to drive hastily 1d3) to cause to disappear, hide Aramaic equivalent: nud (נוּד "to flee" H5111)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abate, away, be displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, [idiom] hide, lift up a standard. See also: Genesis 14:10; 2 Samuel 17:2; Psalms 60:6.
מֶֽלֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
סְדֹ֥ם
Çᵉdôm
H5467
"Sodom"
N-proper
Sodom was a city near the Dead Sea, known for its wickedness and corruption. According to the book of Genesis, God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah as a judgment for their sins. The city has become a symbol of evil and immorality.
Definition: Sodom = "burning" a Canaanite city, usually paired with Gomorrah, located in the area of the Dead Sea and the Jordan river; both cities destroyed by God in judgment Also named: Sodoma (Σόδομα "Sodom" G4670)
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: Sodom. See also: Genesis 10:19; Genesis 19:28; Isaiah 1:9.
וַ/עֲמֹרָ֖ה
ʻĂmôrâh
H6017
"Gomorrah"
Conj | N-proper
Gomorrah was a city in ancient Palestine, mentioned in Genesis 18:20, known for its wickedness and ultimately destroyed by God, as described in Genesis 19:24-25, serving as a cautionary tale about the consequences of sin.
Definition: Gomorrah = "submersion" the twin-city in evil with Sodom, both destroyed in judgment by God with fire from heaven Also named: Gomorra (Γόμορρα "Gomorrah" G1116)
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: Gomorrah. See also: Genesis 10:19; Deuteronomy 29:22; Isaiah 1:9.
וַ/יִּפְּלוּ
nâphal
H5307
"to fall"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.
שָׁ֑מָּ/ה
shâm
H8033
"there"
Adv | Suff
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
וְ/הַ/נִּשְׁאָרִ֖ים
shâʼar
H7604
"to remain"
Conj | Art | V-Niphal
To remain or be left over, as in Joshua 10:20. It can also mean to spare or reserve something, like God sparing Noah in Genesis 7:23. This word is used to describe the remnant of Israel.
Definition: 1) to remain, be left over, be left behind 1a) (Qal) to remain 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be left over, be left alive, survive 1b1a) remainder, remnant (participle) 1b2) to be left behind 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to leave over, spare 1c2) to leave or keep over 1c3) to have left 1c4) to leave (as a gift)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: leave, (be) left, let, remain, remnant, reserve, the rest. See also: Genesis 7:23; 1 Kings 22:47; Isaiah 4:3.
הֶ֥רָ/ה
har
H2022
"mountain"
N-ms | Suff
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
נָּֽסוּ
nûwç
H5127
"to flee"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To flee means to quickly leave a place, like escaping from danger, as seen in the Bible when David fled from King Saul. It can also mean to disappear or vanish. In the book of Psalms, it describes God delivering his people from harm.
Definition: 1) to flee, escape 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to flee 1a2) to escape 1a3) to take flight, m depart, disappear 1a4) to fly (to the attack) on horseback 1b) (Polel) to drive at 1c) (Hithpolel) to take flight 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to put to flight 1d2) to drive hastily 1d3) to cause to disappear, hide Aramaic equivalent: nud (נוּד "to flee" H5111)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abate, away, be displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, [idiom] hide, lift up a standard. See also: Genesis 14:10; 2 Samuel 17:2; Psalms 60:6.
Study Notes — Genesis 14:10
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 14:10 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 14:10
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 14:10
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 14:10
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 14:10
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 14:10
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 14:10
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 14:10
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 14:10
- Sermons on Genesis 14:10
Context — Abram Rescues Lot
8Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) marched out and arrayed themselves for battle in the Valley of Siddim
9against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.
10Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some men fell into the pits, but the survivors fled to the hill country.
11The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food, and they went on their way. 12They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since Lot was living in Sodom.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 19:17 | As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, “Run for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere on the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!” |
| 2 | Genesis 19:30 | Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains—for he was afraid to stay in Zoar—where they lived in a cave. |
| 3 | Isaiah 24:18 | Whoever flees the sound of panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For the windows of heaven are open, and the foundations of the earth are shaken. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 48:44 | “Whoever flees the panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For I will bring upon Moab the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD. |
| 5 | Genesis 11:3 | And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” So they used brick instead of stone, and tar instead of mortar. |
| 6 | Psalms 83:10 | who perished at Endor and became like dung on the ground. |
| 7 | Joshua 8:24 | When Israel had finished killing all the men of Ai who had pursued them into the field and wilderness, and when every last one of them had fallen by the sword, all the Israelites returned to Ai and put it to the sword as well. |
Genesis 14:10 Summary
Genesis 14:10 tells us that the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, which made it a tricky place to fight a battle. When the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some men fell into the pits, but the survivors got away to the hill country. This verse reminds us that God is in control, even in the midst of chaos and confusion (as seen in Psalm 46:1-3), and that He can provide a way of escape for those who trust in Him (1 Corinthians 10:13). By trusting in God's power and provision, we can find refuge and safety, just like the survivors in the hill country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the tar pits in the Valley of Siddim?
The tar pits in Genesis 14:10 were likely natural asphalt deposits that were common in the region, which made the valley a difficult place to fight a battle, as seen in the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fleeing and some men falling into the pits.
Why did the survivors flee to the hill country?
The survivors fled to the hill country, as mentioned in Genesis 14:10, likely because it provided a safer and more secure location, away from the tar pits and the invading armies, similar to how God often leads His people to a place of safety and refuge, as seen in Psalm 23:4.
What can we learn from the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah's defeat?
The defeat of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 14:10 serves as a reminder of God's judgment on wickedness, as seen in Genesis 18:20-21, and the importance of trusting in God's power and provision, rather than relying on human strength and alliances, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Bible?
Genesis 14:10 is part of a larger narrative that highlights God's sovereignty and faithfulness, as seen in the rescue of Lot by Abram in Genesis 14:11-16, and ultimately points to God's plan of redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ, as revealed in the New Testament, such as in Romans 5:8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some 'tar pits' in my life that I need to be aware of and avoid, and how can I trust God to guide me through difficult situations?
- How can I, like the survivors, find refuge and safety in the 'hill country' of God's presence and provision, as described in Psalm 91:1-2?
- What are some ways that I can apply the lesson of trusting in God's power and provision, rather than relying on human strength and alliances, in my own life and relationships, as encouraged in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10?
- How can I use this verse as a reminder to pray for those who are facing difficult circumstances and to trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness, as seen in Psalm 37:3-7?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 14:10
And the vale of Siddim [was full of] slimepits,.... Or "wells" or "fountains of slime" or bitumen (s); a liquid of a pitchy nature, cast out of fountains, and which was used for a cement in
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 14:10
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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 14:10
The vale of Siddim was chosen by those five kings for the place of battle, that their adversaries being ignorant of the place might unawares fall into those pits, which they by their knowledge of it thought to escape. Kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, i.e. their armies; a figurative speech, frequent in Scripture and other authors; for their persons escaped: see . They either, 1. Fell into the pits which they designed for others; or rather, 2. Were slain, as this word is oft used, as ,25 Jude 8:10 12:6; and here too; for those that fell are here opposed to those that remained.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 14:10
Genesis 14:10 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.Ver. 10. And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits.] Chosen therefore on purpose by the five kings, who fled and fell there; or (as some understand the text) made haste to fall down there; skulking and scouting, till their enemies should pursue them, and so perish in those pits. But their cunning failed them; for as they had travailed with iniquity and conceived mischief, so they brought forth a lie. They "made a pit and digged it, but fell into the ditch that themselves had made". The way of this world, saith one, is like the vale of Siddim, slimy and slippery, full of slime pits and pitfalls, springs and stumbling-blocks, laid by Satan to maim or mischieve us, to procure our ruin or ruth. To defeat him therefore (as these four kings did the five), let us tread gingerly, step warily, lift not up one foot till we find sure footing for the other: let us look ere we leap. Alioqui saliens antequam videat, casurus est antequam debeat , as St Bernard hath it. Celeriter se deiecerunt . - Piscat. Eo consilio ut hostes ignari locorum ,& c. - Idem. Bern.
De Bon. Deser.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 14:10
(10) The vale of Siddim was full of slimepits.—That is, of holes whence bitumen had been excavated. Layers of this natural asphalte, well known both to the Greeks and Romans as pia Judaica, Judean pitch, still exist on the western side of the Dead Sea; and the places whence it had been dug out, and which are often very deep, formed dangerous impediments in the way of the defeated side.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 14:10
Verse 10. Slime-pits] Places where asphaltus or bitumen sprang out of the ground; this substance abounded in that country. Fell there] It either signifies they were defeated on this spot, and many of them slain, or that multitudes of them had perished in the bitumen-pits which abounded there; that the place was full of pits we learn from the Hebrew, which reads here בארת בארת beeroth beeroth, pits, pits, i.e., multitudes of pits. A bad place to maintain a fight on, or to be obliged to run through in order to escape.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 14:10
10. full of slime pits] i.e. bitumen pits. Bitumen, or asphalt, is found in the neighbourhood of the Dead Sea. Josephus speaks of the bitumen floating upon the surface of its waters. Here we are to suppose that the bitumen came out of large holes or pits in the earth, into which the confederates fell in their flight. “Full of slime pits.” The Hebrew idiom gives be’erôth be’erôth ḥ ?êmar, “pits, pits of bitumen” = “all bitumen pits.” Cf. 2 Kings 3:16, “trenches, trenches” = “nothing but trenches.” The narrative is so fragmentary, or condensed, that only the rout is recorded. they fell] Referring to the fugitive troops generally. The king of Sodom appears again in Genesis 14:17. It is implied that those who fell into the pits were lost. to the mountain] i.e. to the mountains of Moab, the chain of hills on the east side of the Dead Sea.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 14:10
10. Full of slimepits — Sept., φρεαταασφαλτου, pits of asphaltum; Vulg., puteos multos bituminis, many pits of bitumen.
Sermons on Genesis 14:10
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (Alternate) by Jonathan Edwards | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the incomprehensible power of God's anger and the eternal misery that awaits those who have not been born again. The preacher warns that eve |
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Enter Into His Rest by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher begins by leading the congregation in praise and worship, emphasizing the importance of praising and magnifying the name of Jesus. He encourages the be |
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Don't Look Back by Arlen L. Chitwood | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not dwelling in the plain, using the story of Lot's wife as an example. He contrasts Lot, who didn't make it far in his jo |
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The Lord's Knowledge, Our Safeguard by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of relying on faith rather than relying on what we can see with our physical eyes. He shares personal experiences of feeling |
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Lest Thou Be Consumed by Arlen L. Chitwood | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the book of Genesis, specifically chapters 1 through 4. They emphasize that the work of Christ at Calvary can be seen in each of these chapte |
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Run for Your Life by Arlen L. Chitwood | In this sermon, the speaker begins by praying for God's blessings and guidance as they open the Word of God. They mention that they will be delivering five messages based on five p |
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Escape to the Mountain by Arlen L. Chitwood | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that believers have been saved for a purpose and that purpose extends to all of mankind. He speaks about the present kingdom of God and the |