That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.
These kings 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 (which is also called Zoar).
This verse lists the five local kings who were attacked by the coalition of powerful eastern kings mentioned in the previous verse.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of Abraham, the ancient Near East was characterized by frequent wars and alliances among city-states, as different kings vied for control over trade routes and territories. This verse is part of a narrative describing a rebellion by the kings of the Jordan Valley, including Sodom and Gomorrah, against a coalition of eastern rulers who had previously dominated them for twelve years. The conflict escalated into a full-scale battle, setting the stage for Abraham's involvement when his nephew Lot was captured during the invasion.
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