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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Bera</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/b/bera.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/genesis/14-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/b/bera.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Bera</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/b/bequeathed.htm" title="Bequeathed">◄</a> Bera <a href="/topical/naves/b/bera--king_of_sodom.htm" title="Bera: King of Sodom">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#hit" title="Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary">Hitchcock's</a> • <a href="#smi" title="Smith's Bible Dictionary">Smith's</a> • <a href="#amt" title="American Tract Society Bible Dictionary">ATS</a> • <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#eas" title="Easton's Bible Dictionary">Easton's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>Bera was the king of Sodom during the time of Abraham, as recorded in the Book of Genesis. His reign is noted in the context of the war of the kings, a significant event that took place in the ancient Near East. Bera's account is primarily found in <a href="/bsb/genesis/14.htm">Genesis 14</a>, where he is mentioned as one of the five kings who joined forces to fight against a coalition of four eastern kings led by Chedorlaomer, king of Elam.<br><br><b>Biblical Account</b><br><br>In <a href="/genesis/14-2.htm">Genesis 14:2</a>, Bera is introduced as the king of Sodom: "that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar)." This coalition of five kings, including Bera, was formed to resist the domination of Chedorlaomer and his allies, who had subjugated the region for twelve years.<br><br>The conflict is described in <a href="/genesis/14-8.htm">Genesis 14:8-10</a>: "Then 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 against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. 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 rest fled to the hill country."<br><br>The battle resulted in the defeat of Bera and his allies, leading to the capture of Lot, Abraham's nephew, who was living in Sodom at the time. This event prompted Abraham to take action, as he gathered his trained men and pursued the victorious kings to rescue Lot and his possessions.<br><br><b>Historical and Theological Significance</b><br><br>Bera's role in the narrative highlights the moral and spiritual decline of Sodom, a city that would later be destroyed by divine judgment due to its wickedness. The defeat of Bera and the other kings serves as a backdrop to Abraham's demonstration of faith and courage, as he intervenes to rescue Lot, showcasing the providence and protection of God over His chosen people.<br><br>The account of Bera and the war of the kings also underscores the geopolitical dynamics of the ancient Near East, illustrating the constant struggle for power and dominance among city-states and regional powers. This historical context provides insight into the challenges faced by the patriarchs and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the lineage of Abraham.<br><br><b>Cultural Context</b><br><br>The mention of tar pits in <a href="/genesis/14-10.htm">Genesis 14:10</a> is significant, as it reflects the natural resources and geographical features of the region. The Valley of Siddim, where the battle took place, is believed to be located near the Dead Sea, an area known for its bitumen deposits. This detail adds authenticity to the biblical narrative, aligning with archaeological findings and historical records of the time.<br><br>Bera's account, though brief, is a testament to the broader themes of judgment, redemption, and divine intervention that permeate the biblical text. His reign and subsequent defeat serve as a prelude to the eventual destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, emphasizing the consequences of sin and the righteousness of God's justice.<a name="hit" id="hit"></a><div class="vheading2">Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Bera</span><p>a well; declaring<a name="smi" id="smi"></a><div class="vheading2">Smith's Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Bera</span><p>(<i>son of evil</i>) king of Sodom. (<a href="/genesis/14-2.htm">Genesis 14:2</a>) also (<a href="/genesis/14-17.htm">Genesis 14:17,21</a>)<a name="amt" id="amt"></a><div class="vheading2">ATS Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Bera</span><p>King of Sodom in the days of Abraham, <a href="/context/genesis/14-1.htm">Genesis 14:1-24</a>. </p><a name="eas" id="eas"></a><div class="vheading2">Easton's Bible Dictionary</div>Gift, or son of evil, king of Sodom at the time of the invasion of the four kings under Chedorlaomer (<a href="/genesis/14-2.htm">Genesis 14:2</a>, 8, 17, 21). <a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">BERA</span><p>be'-ra (bera`, "gift"(?); compare HPN, 74 note): King of Sodom (<a href="/genesis/14-2.htm">Genesis 14:2</a>) who in the battle of Siddim was subdued by Chedorlaomer.<p><a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/1298.htm"><span class="l">1298. <b>Bera</b> -- a king of Sodom</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1297, 1298. <b>Bera</b>. 1299 . a king of Sodom. Transliteration: <b>Bera</b> Phonetic<br> Spelling: (beh'-rah) Short Definition: <b>Bera</b>. Word Origin <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/1298.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 5k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/theophilus/theophilus_to_autolycus/chapter_xxxi_the_history_after_the.htm"><span class="l">The History after the Flood.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> And the names of their kings are these: <b>Bera</b>, king of Sodom; Birsha, king of Gomorrah;<br> Shinab, king of Admah; Shemeber, king of Zeboiim; Bela, king of Zoar <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxxi the history after the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/sozomen/the_ecclesiastical_history_of_sozomenus/chapter_xxix_discovery_of_the_remains.htm"><span class="l">Discovery of the Remains of the Prophets Habakkuk and Micah. Death <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> [1577]. Footnotes: [1574] First part independent. [1575] Or simply <b>Bera</b>. [1576]<br> Soc. v. 26; Ruf. HE ii. 34; Theodoret, HE v. 25; Philost. xi. 2; Zos. iv. 59. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chapter xxix discovery of the remains.htm</font><p><a href="/library/basil/basil_letters_and_select_works/letter_ccxxii_to_the_people.htm"><span class="l">Letter ccxxii. To the People of Chalcis.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> need be no surprise, he thinks, at the two preceding letters containing no mention<br> of this persecution, because Acacius, who was a native of <b>Bera</b>, would be <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxxii to the people.htm</font><p><a href="/library/leupold/exposition_of_genesis_volume_1/chapter_xiv.htm"><span class="l">Chapter xiv</span></a> <br><b>...</b> 2. They made war with <b>Bera</b>, king of Sodom, and Birsha, king of Gomorrah, Shinab,<br> king of Admah, and Shemeber, king of Zeboyim; and the king of Bela (that is <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm</font><p><a href="/library/edersheim/the_life_and_times_of_jesus_the_messiah/appendix_xii_the_baptism_of.htm"><span class="l">Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes</span></a> <br><b>...</b> [6460] The Tarnegol <b>Bera</b> - a mythical animal reaching fron earth to heaven<br> (Targ. on Ps. 1, 11) - also called Naggar Tura (Gitt. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xii the baptism of.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/b/bera.htm"><span class="l"><b>Bera</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b><b>BERA</b>. be'-ra (<b>bera</b>`, "gift"(?); compare HPN, 74 note): King of Sodom (Genesis<br> 14:2) who in the battle of Siddim was subdued by Chedorlaomer. <b>...</b><b>Bera</b> (1 Occurrence). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/bera.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/bera'cah.htm"><span class="l"><b>Bera</b>'cah (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>Bera</b>'cah. Ber'acah, <b>Bera</b>'cah. Berachah . Multi-Version Concordance<br><b>Bera</b>'cah (1 Occurrence). 2 Chronicles 20:26 And on <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/bera'cah.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/beracah.htm"><span class="l">Beracah (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/beracah.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/z/zeboim.htm"><span class="l">Zeboim (7 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Genesis 14:2 that they made war with <b>Bera</b> the king of Sodom, and with Birsha the<br> king of Gomorrah, Shinab the king of Admah, and Shemeber the king of Zeboim <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/z/zeboim.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/z/zeboiim.htm"><span class="l">Zeboiim (7 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Genesis 14:2 that they made war with <b>Bera</b>, king of Sodom, and with Birsha, king<br> of Gomorrah, Shinab, king of Admah, and Shemeber, king of Zeboiim, and the king <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/z/zeboiim.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/z/zo'ar.htm"><span class="l">Zo'ar (10 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Genesis 14:2 that they made war with <b>Bera</b>, king of Sodom, and with Birsha, king<br> of Gomorrah, Shinab, king of Admah, and Shemeber, king of Zeboiim, and the king <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/z/zo'ar.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/z/zeboi'im.htm"><span class="l">Zeboi'im (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Genesis 14:2 that they made war with <b>Bera</b> king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of<br> Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/z/zeboi'im.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/g/gomorrah.htm"><span class="l">Gomorrah (25 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Genesis 14:2 that they made war with <b>Bera</b>, king of Sodom, and with Birsha, king<br> of Gomorrah, Shinab, king of Admah, and Shemeber, king of Zeboiim, and the king <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/g/gomorrah.htm - 17k</font><p><a href="/topical/g/gomor'rah.htm"><span class="l">Gomor'rah (23 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Genesis 14:2 that they made war with <b>Bera</b> king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of<br> Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/g/gomor'rah.htm - 13k</font><p><a href="/topical/z/zoar.htm"><span class="l">Zoar (12 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Genesis 14:2 that they made war with <b>Bera</b>, king of Sodom, and with Birsha, king<br> of Gomorrah, Shinab, king of Admah, and Shemeber, king of Zeboiim, and the king <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/z/zoar.htm - 14k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Bera (1 Occurrence)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/genesis/14-2.htm">Genesis 14:2</a></span><br />that they made war with <span class="boldtext">Bera</span>, king of Sodom, and with Birsha, king of Gomorrah, Shinab, king of Admah, and Shemeber, king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar).<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/b/bera.htm">Bera</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/b/bera--king_of_sodom.htm">Bera: King of Sodom</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/b/beraa.htm">Beraa</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bera'cah.htm">Bera'cah (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/beracah.htm">Beracah (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/z/zeboim.htm">Zeboim (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/z/zeboiim.htm">Zeboiim (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/z/zo'ar.htm">Zo'ar (10 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/z/zeboi'im.htm">Zeboi'im (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/gomorrah.htm">Gomorrah (25 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/gomor'rah.htm">Gomor'rah (23 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/z/zoar.htm">Zoar (12 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bequeathed.htm">Bequeathed (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/berachah.htm">Berachah (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/ber'acah.htm">Ber'acah (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/beraiah.htm">Beraiah (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/birsha.htm">Birsha (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bela.htm">Bela (14 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/admah.htm">Admah (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/amraphel.htm">Amraphel (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sheme'ber.htm">Sheme'ber (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/shinab.htm">Shinab (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/shemeber.htm">Shemeber (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sodom.htm">Sodom (49 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/war.htm">War (529 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/k/kings.htm">Kings (350 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/b/bequeathed.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Bequeathed"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" 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