Genesis 14:1

About this time war broke out in the region. King Amraphel of Babylonia, King Arioch of Ellasar, King Kedorlaomer of Elam, and King Tidal of Goiim

Genesis 14:2

fought against King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar).

Genesis 14:3

This second group of kings joined forces in Siddim Valley (that is, the valley of the Dead Sea).

Genesis 14:4

For twelve years they had been subject to King Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled against him.

Genesis 14:5

One year later Kedorlaomer and his allies arrived and defeated the Rephaites at Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzites at Ham, the Emites at Shaveh-kiriathaim,

Genesis 14:6

and the Horites at Mount Seir, as far as El-paran at the edge of the wilderness.

Genesis 14:7

Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (now called Kadesh) and conquered all the territory of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites living in Hazazon-tamar.

Genesis 14:8

Then the rebel kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (also called Zoar) prepared for battle in the valley of the Dead Sea.

Genesis 14:9

They fought against King Kedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Babylonia, and King Arioch of Ellasar-- four kings against five.

Genesis 14:10

As it happened, the valley of the Dead Sea was filled with tar pits. And as the army of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into the tar pits, while the rest escaped into the mountains.

Genesis 14:11

The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home, taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies.

Genesis 14:12

They also captured Lot-- Abram's nephew who lived in Sodom-- and carried off everything he owned.

Genesis 14:13

But one of Lot's men escaped and reported everything to Abram the Hebrew, who was living near the oak grove belonging to Mamre the Amorite. Mamre and his relatives, Eshcol and Aner, were Abram's allies.

Genesis 14:14

When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer's army until he caught up with them at Dan.

Genesis 14:15

There he divided his men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer's army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.

Genesis 14:16

Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives.

Genesis 14:17

After Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and all his allies, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).

Genesis 14:18

And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine.

Genesis 14:19

Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.

Genesis 14:20

And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you." Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.

Genesis 14:21

The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered."

Genesis 14:22

Abram replied to the king of Sodom, "I solemnly swear to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,

Genesis 14:23

that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, 'I am the one who made Abram rich.'

Genesis 14:24

I will accept only what my young warriors have already eaten, and I request that you give a fair share of the goods to my allies-- Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre."