Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 14:8
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Admah was a city near the Dead Sea, known for its red earth. It is mentioned in the book of Genesis as part of the Siddim valley.
Definition: § Admah = "red earth" city in the Siddim valley
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Admah. See also: Genesis 10:19; Genesis 14:8; Hosea 11:8.
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.
Zeboiim was a city in Palestine, one of the five cities in the plain that included Sodom and Gomorrah, and its name means 'gazelles'. It's mentioned in the Bible as a place of significance. The KJV translates it as 'Zeboiim' or 'Zeboim'.
Definition: § Zeboim or Zeboiim = "gazelles" one of the 5 cities in the plain which included Sodom and Gomorrah
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Zeboiim, Zeboim. See also: Genesis 10:19; Genesis 14:8; Hosea 11:8.
Zeboiim was a city in Palestine, one of the five cities in the plain that included Sodom and Gomorrah, and its name means 'gazelles'. It's mentioned in the Bible as a place of significance. The KJV translates it as 'Zeboiim' or 'Zeboim'.
Definition: § Zeboim or Zeboiim = "gazelles" one of the 5 cities in the plain which included Sodom and Gomorrah
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Zeboiim, Zeboim. See also: Genesis 10:19; Genesis 14:8; Hosea 11:8.
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.
Bela is a name in the Bible, given to a place and to people, including an Edomite and Israelites. It means destruction and is also the name of a city that was spared when Lot intervened, and was later called Zoar.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Reuben living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.5.8; son of: Azaz (H5811) § Bela = "destruction" one of the five cities of the plain which was spared at the intercession of Lot, and received the name of Zoar
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: Bela. See also: Genesis 14:2; 1 Chronicles 1:43; 1 Chronicles 8:3.
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
Zoar is a city near the Dead Sea, spared from destruction when Lot asked God to save it. It was one of the cities near Sodom and Gomorrah.
Definition: § Zoar = "insignificance" a city at the southeast end of the Dead Sea grouped with Sodom and Gomorrah as being one of the 5 cities slated for destruction by God; spared at Lot's plea as his place of refuge
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: Zoar. See also: Genesis 13:10; Genesis 19:23; Isaiah 15:5.
This Hebrew word means to value or arrange things in order. It is used in various contexts, like setting up an army for battle or estimating the value of something, as seen in 1 Kings 10.
Definition: 1) to arrange, set or put or lay in order, set in array, prepare, order, ordain, handle, furnish, esteem, equal, direct, compare 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to arrange or set or lay in order, arrange, state in order, set forth (a legal case), set in place 1a2) to compare, be comparable
Usage: Occurs in 72 OT verses. KJV: put (set) (the battle, self) in array, compare, direct, equal, esteem, estimate, expert (in war), furnish, handle, join (battle), ordain, (lay, put, reckon up, set) (in) order, prepare, tax, value. See also: Genesis 14:8; 1 Chronicles 12:39; Psalms 5:4.
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.
This word means battle or war, describing a fight or conflict. It is used in the Bible to talk about wars and battles, like the ones in the book of Joshua. The KJV translates it as battle or fight.
Definition: battle, war
Usage: Occurs in 308 OT verses. KJV: battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior). See also: Genesis 14:2; 1 Samuel 30:24; 2 Chronicles 13:14.
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.
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.
Context — The War of the Kings
6and the Horites in the area of Mount Seir, as far as El-paran, which is near the desert.
7Then they turned back to invade En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who lived in Hazazon-tamar.
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.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) |
| 1 |
Genesis 19:22 |
Hurry! Run there quickly, for I cannot do anything until you reach it.” That is why the town was called Zoar. |
| 2 |
Genesis 13:10 |
And Lot looked out and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan, all the way to Zoar, was well watered like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) |
| 3 |
Genesis 19:20 |
Look, there is a town nearby where I can flee, and it is a small place. Please let me flee there—is it not a small place? Then my life will be saved.” |
| 4 |
Genesis 14:2–3 |
went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). The latter five came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea ). |
| 5 |
Genesis 14:10 |
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. |
Genesis 14:8 Summary
This verse tells us that the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela joined forces to go to battle against the invading kings from the east. They arrayed themselves for battle in the Valley of Siddim, which was full of tar pits. This reminds us that God is sovereign and in control, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28. We can trust in His goodness and providence, just as the Psalmist did in Psalm 23:4, and navigate the challenges of life with faith and confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela join forces to go to battle?
The kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela joined forces to go to battle against the invading kings from the east, as mentioned in Genesis 14:9, in an attempt to protect their territories and peoples.
What is the significance of the Valley of Siddim in this context?
The Valley of Siddim, where the kings arrayed themselves for battle, was full of tar pits, as mentioned in Genesis 14:10, which would later play a role in the outcome of the battle.
Who were the kings that the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah were fighting against?
The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah were fighting against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, as mentioned in Genesis 14:9, who had invaded their territories.
What can we learn from the actions of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah in this verse?
We can learn that even in the face of overwhelming odds, God is sovereign and in control, as seen in the eventual outcome of the battle, and that our trust should be in Him, as encouraged in Psalm 20:7 and Proverbs 3:5-6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can prepare myself for spiritual battles, just as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah prepared for physical battle?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty, even when faced with overwhelming challenges, as seen in this verse and in Psalm 23:4?
- What are some 'tar pits' in my life that I need to be aware of, and how can I avoid them, as warned in Psalm 119:101 and Proverbs 22:3?
- How can I join forces with other believers to support and encourage one another, just as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah joined forces to go to battle?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 14:8
And there went out the king of Sodom,.... With his armed men to meet the four kings, and give them battle, being so near him, and in so much danger from them, that if they could not stand their
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 14:8
And 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 joined battle with them in the vale
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 14:8
Genesis 14:8 And 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 joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;Ver. 8. And there went out the king of Sodom, &c.] These five neighbouring kings were combined against the four kings that invaded them. It was not then a civil dissension, that worst of wars, such as was that of France (and is now, alas, of England), wherein the sons fought against their fathers, and brothers against brothers; and even women took arms on both sides for defence of their religion. That was not more monstrous, that the Suevian women threw their young children at the Romans, their enemies, instead of darts, than that other was piteous between the Romans themselves, those that were for Vitellius, and the other for Vespasian; that, when the women brought the Vitellians food by night, into the camp, they not only refreshed themselves, but their adversaries also, with food and drink. Each man called to his adversary by name, and said, Accipe, mi commilito, ede: Non enim tibi gladium proebeo, sed panem. Accipe rursum et bibe: Non enim tibi scutum, sed poculum trado: ut, sive tu me interficias, sive ego te, moriamur facilius: atque ut ne me, enervata atque imbecilla manu occidas, aut ego te. Hae nostrae sunt exequiae, nobis adhuc viventibus. Thus they greeted over night, and the next day despatched one another; they gave wounds, and took wounds; they slew, and were slain, as the same author hath it. Which as oft as I think on, I cannot but highly commend that speech of Otho the Emperor to his soldiers, a little before he took his end: I hate civil wars, though I were sure to overcome. I know not why any Englishman should love it, that shall call to mind, that in the civil dissensions between the houses of York and Lancaster, there were slain (ere the quarrel ended) fourscore princes of the blood royal, and twice as many natives of England as were lost in the two conquests of France.
War is easily taken up, saith the wise historian, but not so easily laid down again; neither is the beginning and the end of a war in any one man’ s power. If the Scots should come in on the one side, and the French or Irish on the other, what an Aceldama should we soon become! what an Ireland, a seat of wrath, because a seat of war! It is never to be forgotten by us, that the dissension between England and Scotland consumed more Christian blood, wrought more spoil and destruction, and continued longer than ever quarrel we read of did between any two people of the world.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 14:8
(8) They joined battle with them.—Heb., they set themselves in array against them. As the five kings left their cities to do battle with the invaders “in the vale of Siddim,” it is plain, as was said in Genesis 14:3, that the vale embraces a far wider extent of country than merely the site of the five cities.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 14:8
Verse 8. Bela, the same is Zoar] That is, it was called Zoar after the destruction of Sodom, c., mentioned in Genesis 19:24 Genesis 19:25.
Sermons on Genesis 14:8
| Sermon | Description |
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(Genesis) Genesis 18:22-23
by J. Vernon McGee
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In this sermon, Abraham is having a conversation with God about the destruction of the city of Sodom. Abraham starts by asking if God would spare the city if there were fifty right |
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(Through the Bible) Genesis 15-18
by Chuck Smith
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In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Abraham and his encounter with three men, who are believed to be angels. Abraham shows great hospitality to them, offering them |
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Mid South Conference 1981-06 the People of Israel
by Aldy Fam Fanous
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In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of Christians being like Daniel, standing firm in their faith regardless of the circumstances. He references 1 Corinthians 3: |
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(Genesis) Genesis 13:5-13
by J. Vernon McGee
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In this sermon, the preacher talks about the importance of love and unity among believers. He shares a personal story about his uncle who never came to the Lord because of the figh |
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(Genesis) Genesis 19:28
by J. Vernon McGee
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In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the sinfulness of engaging in homosexuality and labels it as a sin. He refers to the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 as an importan |
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Three Stages of Spiritual Growth
by Zac Poonen
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In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of receiving and internalizing God's word. He compares this process to a baby effortlessly swallowing mashed food, highlightin |
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Intoxicated With Babylon-Chapter Three
by Steve Gallagher
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In this sermon, the speaker discusses the influence of worldly culture on the church and how it can deceive and weaken the faith of believers. He uses the story of Lot and his fami |