Bereshis 14:4

4 Twelve shanah they served Kedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

Bereshis 14:4 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 14:4

Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer
King of Elam, who was of the race of Shem, and so the prophecy of Noah began to be fulfilled, that Canaan should be servant to Shem, ( Genesis 9:26 ) ; for the kings of Sodom and their subjects, were of the race of Ham in the line of Canaan, who had by violence seized on that part of the earth which was allotted to the sons of Shem, and therefore Chedorlaomer being a descendant of his claimed his right, and made them tributary to him, which they were for the space of twelve years: and in the thirteenth year they rebelled;
refused homage to Chedorlaomer and to pay tribute to him.

Bereshis 14:4 In-Context

2 That these made milchamah with Bera Melech Sodom, and with Birsha Melech Amora (Gomorrah), Shinav Melech Admah, and Shemever Melech Tzevoyim, and the Melech Bela, which is Tzoar.

3 All these were joined together in the Valley of Siddim which is the Yam HaMelach (i.e., Dead Sea).

4 Twelve shanah they served Kedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

5 And in the fourteenth year came Kedorlaomer, and the melachim that were with him, and they defeated the Rephaim in Ashterot Karnayim, and the Zuzim in Ham, and the Emim in Shaveh-Kiryatayim,

6 And the Chori in their Mt Seir, as far as Eil-Paran, which is near the midbar.