Genesis 14:3

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

The latter five came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea ).

American Standard Version (1901)

All these joined together in the vale of Siddim (the same is the Salt Sea).

Bible in Basic English

All these came together in the valley of Siddim (which is the Salt Sea).

Douay-Rheims 1899

All these came together into the woodland vale, which now is the salt sea.

Free Bible Version

All these in the second group joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (the Dead Sea valley).

Geneva Bible 1599

All these ioyned together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt Sea.

King James (Authorized) Version

All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.

One Unity Resource Bible

All these joined together in the valley of Siddim (also called the Salt Sea).

Translation for Translators

Those five kings and their armies gathered together in Siddim Valley, which is also called the Dead Sea Valley, to fight against the four kings and their armies. King Chedorlaomer and his army conquered the armies of those five kings, and demanded that those kings pay him tribute money each year.

Unlocked Literal Bible

These latter five kings joined together in the Valley of Siddim (also called the Salt Sea).

Noah Webster Bible

All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.

World English Bible

All these joined together in the valley of Siddim (also called the Salt Sea).

Young's Literal Translation

All these have been joined together unto the valley of Siddim, which [is] the Salt Sea;

Context

The War of the Kings

²went 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). ³The latter five came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea ).⁴For twelve years they had been subject to Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

Summary

In Genesis 14:3, we see a historical account of a coalition of kings who came together in the Valley of Siddim, which is now the Dead Sea region. This alliance included King Chedorlaomer, who had subjugated other kings for twelve years. The mention of these events sets the stage for the subsequent events involving Abram and his rescue of his nephew Lot, showcasing the power dynamics and conflicts among ancient kingdoms in the region.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim,.... Or "of fields", or "ploughed lands" (b), a fruitful vale abounding with corn; or of gardens or paradises, as the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem, being full of gardens and orchards, and was as the garden of the Lord, even as Eden, see Gen 13:10; though Aben Ezra thinks it had its name from the slime or bitumen, of which there was great plenty in it, see Gen 14:10. Now the above five kings, as they all dwelt in the plain, they entered into a confederacy, met together, and joined their forces in this vale, to oppose the four kings that were come to make war with them, as being an advantageous place, as they judged, perhaps on more accounts than one; and here they stayed to receive the enemy, and give him battle, see Gen 14:8, which is the salt sea; afterwards so called, not at this time, for then it would not have been fit for armies to be drawn up in battle array in it; but it was so called in the times of Moses, and after this fine vale was turned into a bituminous lake, and had its name from the saltness of the waters of the lake, or from the city Melach, or city of salt, which was near it, Jos 15:62. (b) "valle amaenissimorum agrorum", Munster; "in planitie agrorum", Fagius; so Jarchi; "in valle occationum", Hiller. Onomastic. Sacr. p. 937. "dicta ab agris occatis", Schmidt.