Genesis 14:9

9 against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, four kings against five.

Genesis 14:9 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 14:9

With Chedorlaomer king of Elam
Who is here mentioned first, being the principal in the war, and against whom the kings of Sodom had rebelled: and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and
Arioch king of Ellasar;
who were his allies, confederates, and auxiliaries: four kings with five;
those four last mentioned, with the other five before spoken of, that is, they fought with them; or rather four kings against five, as the Vulgate Latin and Tigurine versions, and some others.

Genesis 14:9 In-Context

7 On their way back they stopped at En Mishpat, that is, Kadesh, and conquered the whole region of the Amalekites as well as that of the Amorites who lived in Hazazon Tamar.
8 That's when the king of Sodom marched out with the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, that is, Zoar. They drew up in battle formation against their enemies in the Valley of Siddim -
9 against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, four kings against five.
10 The Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits. When the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, they fell into the tar pits, but the rest escaped into the mountains.
11 The four kings captured all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, all their food and equipment, and went on their way.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.