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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/14.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/14.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />All these latter kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Dead Sea Valley).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/14.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />This second group of kings joined forces in Siddim Valley (that is, the valley of the Dead Sea).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/14.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/14.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The latter five came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/14.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/14.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />All these joined together in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/14.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />All these <i>kings</i> came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/14.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />All these came as allies to the valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/14.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />All these came as allies to the valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/14.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />All these came as allies to the valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/14.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />All of these [kings] joined together [as allies] in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Sea of Salt).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/14.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />All of these came as allies to the Siddim Valley (that is, the Dead Sea ).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/14.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />All of these came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Dead Sea).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/14.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />All these joined together in the vale of Siddim (the same is the Salt Sea).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/14.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />All these joined together in the vale of Siddim (the same is the Salt Sea).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/14.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The five kings joined forces and met in the valley of Siddim (that is, the Dead Sea).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/14.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />These five kings had formed an alliance and joined forces in Siddim Valley, which is now the Dead Sea. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/14.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />All of this latter group of kings allied together in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea ). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/14.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The latter five came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/14.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />These last five kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/14.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />All these joined together in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/14.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/14.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />All these joined together in the valley of Siddim (also called the Salt Sea). <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/14.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />All these have been joined together to the Valley of Siddim, which [is] the Salt Sea;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/14.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> All these have been joined together unto the valley of Siddim, which is the Salt Sea;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/14.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />All these joined together in the valley of Siddim; this is the sea of salt.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/14.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />All these came together into the woodland vale, which now is the salt sea. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/14.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />All these came together in the wooded valley, which is now the Sea of Salt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/14.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />all the latter kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea ).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/14.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />All these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Dead Sea).<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/14.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />All of these joined together in the valley of Siddim, which is the Salt Sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/14.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />All of these were gathered to the valley Sedumia, that is the Sea of Salt.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/14.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />All these came as allies unto the vale of Siddim--the same is the Salt Sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/14.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />All these met with one consent at the salt valley; this is <i>now</i> the sea of salt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/14-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=2906" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/14.htm">The War of the Kings</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>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). <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: ’êl·leh (Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">The latter</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">five</a> <a href="/hebrew/2266.htm" title="2266: ḥā·ḇə·rū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To unite, be joined, to tie a magic knot or spell, to charm. A primitive root; to join; specifically to fascinate.">came as allies</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/6010.htm" title="6010: ‘ê·meq (N-msc) -- A vale. From amaq; a vale.">the Valley</a> <a href="/hebrew/7708.htm" title="7708: haś·śid·dîm (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- A valley near the Dead Sea. Plural from the same as sadeh; flats; Siddim, a valley in Palestine.">of Siddim</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">(that is,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4417.htm" title="4417: ham·me·laḥ (Art:: N-ms) -- Salt. From malach; properly, powder, i.e. salt">the Salt</a> <a href="/hebrew/3220.htm" title="3220: yām (N-msc) -- A sea or large body of water; specifically, the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river.">Sea).</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>For twelve years they had been subject to Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/11-5.htm">Joshua 11:5</a></span><br />All these kings joined forces and encamped at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/3-8.htm">Deuteronomy 3:8-10</a></span><br />At that time we took from the two kings of the Amorites the land across the Jordan, from the Arnon Valley as far as Mount Hermon— / which the Sidonians call Sirion but the Amorites call Senir— / all the cities of the plateau, all of Gilead, and all of Bashan as far as the cities of Salecah and Edrei in the kingdom of Og.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-1.htm">2 Chronicles 20:1-2</a></span><br />After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. / Then some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the Sea; they are already in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, En-gedi).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/32-33.htm">Numbers 32:33-38</a></span><br />So Moses gave to the Gadites, to the Reubenites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan—the land including its cities and the territory surrounding them. / And the Gadites built up Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, / Atroth-shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/47-18.htm">Ezekiel 47:18</a></span><br />On the east side the border will run between Hauran and Damascus, along the Jordan between Gilead and the land of Israel, to the Eastern Sea and as far as Tamar. This will be the eastern boundary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/1-16.htm">Judges 1:16-17</a></span><br />Now the descendants of Moses’ father-in-law, the Kenite, went up with the men of Judah from the City of Palms to the Wilderness of Judah in the Negev near Arad. They went to live among the people. / Then the men of Judah went with their brothers the Simeonites, attacked the Canaanites living in Zephath, and devoted the city to destruction. So it was called Hormah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/4-21.htm">1 Kings 4:21</a></span><br />And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/24-7.htm">2 Kings 24:7</a></span><br />Now the king of Egypt did not march out of his land again, because the king of Babylon had taken all his territory, from the Brook of Egypt to the Euphrates River.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-22.htm">Nehemiah 9:22</a></span><br />You gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner of the land. So they took the land of Sihon king of Heshbon and of Og king of Bashan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/83-6.htm">Psalm 83:6-8</a></span><br />the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, / of Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, of Philistia with the people of Tyre. / Even Assyria has joined them, lending strength to the sons of Lot. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-4.htm">Acts 7:4</a></span><br />So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After his father died, God brought him out of that place and into this land where you are now living.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-1.htm">Hebrews 7:1-2</a></span><br />This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, / and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Romans 4:13</a></span><br />For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-16.htm">Galatians 3:16</a></span><br />The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-19.htm">Acts 13:19</a></span><br />And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.</p><p class="hdg">salt sea.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/19-24.htm">Genesis 19:24</a></b></br> Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/34-12.htm">Numbers 34:12</a></b></br> And the border shall go down to Jordan, and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea: this shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/3-17.htm">Deuteronomy 3:17</a></b></br> The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast <i>thereof</i>, from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, <i>even</i> the salt sea, under Ashdothpisgah eastward.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/nahum/3-9.htm">Allies</a> <a href="/revelation/9-16.htm">Forces</a> <a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Joined</a> <a href="/genesis/14-2.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/revelation/2-19.htm">Latter</a> <a href="/james/3-12.htm">Salt</a> <a href="/genesis/9-2.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/genesis/14-10.htm">Siddim</a> <a href="/genesis/13-6.htm">Together</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-13.htm">Vale</a> <a href="/genesis/13-12.htm">Valley</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/14-13.htm">Allies</a> <a href="/genesis/14-8.htm">Forces</a> <a href="/genesis/14-8.htm">Joined</a> <a href="/genesis/14-5.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/exodus/4-8.htm">Latter</a> <a href="/genesis/19-26.htm">Salt</a> <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/genesis/14-8.htm">Siddim</a> <a href="/genesis/14-16.htm">Together</a> <a href="/genesis/14-8.htm">Vale</a> <a href="/genesis/14-8.htm">Valley</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 14</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/14-1.htm">The battle of four kings against the king of Sodom and his allies.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/14-12.htm">Lot is taken prisoner.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/14-14.htm">Abram rescues him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/14-17.htm">Melchizedek blesses Abram, who gives him tithes.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/14-21.htm">Abram restores the rest of the spoil to the king of Sodom.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/14.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/14.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The latter five came as allies</b><br>This phrase refers to the five kings mentioned earlier in <a href="/genesis/14-2.htm">Genesis 14:2</a>: the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (Zoar). These kings formed an alliance to resist the domination of the four eastern kings led by Chedorlaomer. This reflects the common ancient Near Eastern practice of forming coalitions for mutual defense and military strength. The alliance highlights the political dynamics of the time, where city-states often banded together against larger empires.<p><b>to the Valley of Siddim</b><br>The Valley of Siddim is identified as the battleground for the conflict between the coalition of the five kings and the four eastern kings. This valley is believed to be located near the southern end of the Dead Sea. The name "Siddim" may suggest a place of fields or plains, indicating a flat area suitable for battle. Archaeological evidence suggests that this region was once fertile and populated, supporting the biblical narrative of cities like Sodom and Gomorrah.<p><b>(that is, the Salt Sea)</b><br>The Salt Sea is another name for the Dead Sea, known for its high salinity and mineral content. The Dead Sea is one of the earth's saltiest bodies of water and lies at the lowest point on the earth's surface. The reference to the Salt Sea provides geographical context, indicating the location of the Valley of Siddim. The Dead Sea region is significant in biblical history, often associated with judgment and destruction, as seen in the later account of Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction. This area serves as a backdrop for the unfolding events in <a href="/genesis/14.htm">Genesis 14</a>, emphasizing the historical and geographical setting of the narrative.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/k/kings_of_the_valley_of_siddim.htm">Kings of the Valley of Siddim</a></b><br>This refers to the coalition of kings who joined forces in the Valley of Siddim. These kings were part of a larger account involving a battle between different regional powers.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/v/valley_of_siddim.htm">Valley of Siddim</a></b><br>This is the location where the kings gathered. It is identified with the Salt Sea, known today as the Dead Sea. The valley was significant for its strategic and economic importance.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_salt_sea.htm">The Salt Sea (Dead Sea)</a></b><br>A body of water known for its high salinity, located in the Jordan Rift Valley. It serves as a geographical marker in the biblical account.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/coalition_of_kings.htm">Coalition of Kings</a></b><br>The alliance of kings mentioned in this verse is part of a larger conflict involving the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, among others, against Chedorlaomer and his allies.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/chedorlaomer.htm">Chedorlaomer</a></b><br>Although not mentioned directly in this verse, he is a central figure in the surrounding account, leading the opposing coalition against the kings of the Valley of Siddim.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_alliances.htm">The Importance of Alliances</a></b><br>Alliances can be powerful, but they must be grounded in righteousness. The coalition in <a href="/bsb/genesis/14.htm">Genesis 14</a> was ultimately unsuccessful because it was not aligned with God's purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/geographical_significance_in_scripture.htm">Geographical Significance in Scripture</a></b><br>Understanding the geographical context, such as the Valley of Siddim, can enhance our comprehension of biblical events and their implications.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_human_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs</a></b><br>Despite human alliances and conflicts, God's sovereign plan prevails. This encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate control over world events.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The involvement of Sodom and Gomorrah in this coalition foreshadows their later destruction, reminding us of the consequences of living in opposition to God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>Just as physical battles occurred in the Valley of Siddim, believers are engaged in spiritual battles. <a href="/bsb/ephesians/6.htm">Ephesians 6</a> reminds us to put on the full armor of God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_14.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 14</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_dead_sea's_biblical_role.htm">What is the Dead Sea's biblical significance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where_is_the_valley_of_siddim_located.htm">Where is the Valley of Siddim located?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_you_cut_rahab_into_pieces.htm">Where is the Valley of Siddim located?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_rufus_mentioned_in_the_bible.htm">What is the Dead Sea's biblical significance?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/14.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">All these were joined together.</span>--Were united in a confederacy, and so formed a pentapolis, or group of five allied towns, like the Philistine league with its five lords (<a href="/context/1_samuel/6-16.htm" title="And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.">1Samuel 6:16-18</a>).<p><span class= "bld">The vale of Siddim.</span>--Mr. Conder (<span class= "ital">Tent-work, </span>ii. 16) says that the name <span class= "ital">Sidd </span>is still given by the Arabs to the cliffs or banks of marl which run along the southern edge of the plain of Jericho; and with this agrees Aben-Ezra's explanation, who derives the word from the Hebrew <span class= "ital">sid, </span>chalk. Mr. Conder searched throughout the Ciccar for traces of the ruined cities, but in vain; and "the gradual rise of the level of the plain, caused by the constant washing down of the soft marl from the western hills, would effectually," he thinks, "cover over any such ruins." He found, however, copious springs of water upon the north-western side of the lake, and considers that the five cities were in their neighbourhood.<p><span class= "bld">Which is the salt sea.</span>--From these words commentators have rashly concluded that the vale of Sodom was swallowed up by the Dead Sea; but not only is no such convulsion of nature mentioned in Genesis 19, but Abram is described as seeing the Ciccar-land not submerged, but smoking like a furnace (<a href="/genesis/19-28.htm" title="And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, see, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.">Genesis 19:28</a>). Probably "the vale of Siddim" was the name of the whole district in which these sidds, or bluffs, are situated, and which extend round all the northern shores of the lake. Mr. Conder, after tracing the lines of former beaches, which show that the Dead Sea has long been shrinking in extent, tells us (<span class= "ital">Tent-work, </span>ii. 43) that geologists hold that it had reached its present condition long before the days of Abram. It still, indeed, covered a much larger space, for the rains at that time were far more copious in Palestine than at present; but it no longer extended over the whole Arabah, as, by the evidence of these beaches, was once the case.<p>(3) <span class= "bld">The Horites.</span>--<span class= "ital">Cave-men, </span>the aboriginal inhabitants of Mount Seir, subsequently conquered by the Edomites (<a href="/deuteronomy/2-12.htm" title="The Horims also dwelled in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelled in their stead; as Israel did to the land of his possession, which the LORD gave to them.">Deuteronomy 2:12</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/2-22.htm" title="As he did to the children of Esau, which dwelled in Seir, when he destroyed the Horims from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelled in their stead even to this day:">Deuteronomy 2:22</a>). The miserable condition of these earth-men is described in <a href="/context/job/30-3.htm" title="For want and famine they were solitary; fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste.">Job 30:3-8</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/14.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">All these</span> - the last-named princes - <span class="cmt_word">were joined together</span> - <span class="accented">i.e.</span> as confederates (so. and came with their forces) - in (literally, <span class="accented">to</span>) <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>the vale of Siddim</span>. The salt valley (LXX.); a wooded vale (Vulgate); a plain filled with rocky hollows (Gesenius), with which Ver. 10 agrees; the valley of plains or fields (Onkelos, Raschi, Keil, Murphy). <span class="cmt_word">Which is the salt sea.</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> where the salt sea afterwards arose, on the destruction of the cities of the plain - <a href="/genesis/19-24.htm">Genesis 19:24, 25</a> (Keil, Havernick; cf. Josephus, ' Bell. Jud.,' 4:08, 4); but the text scarcely implies that the cities were submerged-only the valley (cf. Quarry, p. 207). The extreme depression of the Dead Sea, being 1300 feet below the level of the Mediterranean ("the most depressed sheet of water in the world:" Stanley's 'Sinai and Palestine,' <a href="/genesis/7.htm">Genesis 7</a>.), conjoined with its excessive saltness (containing 26.25 per cent of saline particles), renders it one of the most remarkable of inland lakes. Its shores are clothed with loom and desolation. Within a mile from northern embouchure the verdure of the rich Jordan valley dies away. Strewn along its desolate margin lie broken canes and willow branches, with trunks of palms, poplars, and other trees, half embedded in slimy mud, and all covered with incrustations of salt. At its south-western corner stands the mountain of rock salt, with its columnar fragments, which Josephus says, in his day was regarded as the pillar of Lot s wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/14-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The latter</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֙לֶּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(’êl·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> </span><span class="str2">These, those</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[five]</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came as allies</span><br /><span class="heb">חָֽבְר֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·ḇə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2266.htm">Strong's 2266: </a> </span><span class="str2">To unite, be joined, to tie a magic knot or spell, to charm</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Valley</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֖מֶק</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·meq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6010.htm">Strong's 6010: </a> </span><span class="str2">A vale</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Siddim</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשִּׂדִּ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(haś·śid·dîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7708.htm">Strong's 7708: </a> </span><span class="str2">Siddim -- a valley near the Dead Sea</span><br /><br /><span class="word">(that is,</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֖וּא</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Salt</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּֽלַח׃</span> <span class="translit">(ham·me·laḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4417.htm">Strong's 4417: </a> </span><span class="str2">Powder, salt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Sea).</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(yām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3220.htm">Strong's 3220: </a> </span><span class="str2">A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/14-3.htm">Genesis 14:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/14-3.htm">Genesis 14:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/14-3.htm">Genesis 14:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/14-3.htm">Genesis 14:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/14-3.htm">Genesis 14:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/14-3.htm">Genesis 14:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/14-3.htm">Genesis 14:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/14-3.htm">Genesis 14:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/14-3.htm">Genesis 14:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/14-3.htm">Genesis 14:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/14-3.htm">OT Law: Genesis 14:3 All these joined together in the valley (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/14-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 14:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 14:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/14-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 14:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 14:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>