Genesis 14:2 - Kings clash in Divine judgment.

Join Our Newsletter To Be Informed When New Videos Are Posted

Join the thousands of fellow Studends who rely on our videos to learn how to read the bible in Hebrew for free!

Hebrew Text

עָשׂוּ מִלְחָמָה אֶת־בֶּרַע מֶלֶךְ סְדֹם וְאֶת־בִּרְשַׁע מֶלֶךְ עֲמֹרָה שִׁנְאָב מֶלֶךְ אַדְמָה וְשֶׁמְאֵבֶר מֶלֶךְ צביים [צְבוֹיִים] וּמֶלֶךְ בֶּלַע הִיא־צֹעַר׃

English Translation

that these made war with Bera king of Sedom, and with Birsha king of ῾Amora, Shin᾽av, king of Adma, and Shem᾽ever, king of Żevoyim, and the king of Bela which is Żo῾ar.

Transliteration

Asu milkhama et-Bera melech Sedom ve'et-Birsha melech Amora Shin'av melech Adma ve-Sheme'ever melech Tzvo'im u-melech Bela hi-Tzo'ar.

Hebrew Leining Text

עָשׂ֣וּ מִלְחָמָ֗ה אֶת־בֶּ֙רַע֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ סְדֹ֔ם וְאֶת־בִּרְשַׁ֖ע מֶ֣לֶךְ עֲמֹרָ֑ה שִׁנְאָ֣ב ׀ מֶ֣לֶךְ אַדְמָ֗ה וְשֶׁמְאֵ֙בֶר֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ (צביים) [צְבוֹיִ֔ם] וּמֶ֥לֶךְ בֶּ֖לַע הִיא־צֹֽעַר׃

Parasha Commentary

The War of the Four Kings Against the Five

The verse describes the war between the four kings (led by Chedorlaomer) and the five kings of the cities of the plain (Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela/Zoar). This conflict is significant in the narrative of Avraham Avinu, as it sets the stage for his rescue of Lot and the subsequent covenant with Hashem.

Names of the Kings and Their Symbolism

Rashi (Bereshit 14:2) notes that the names of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah reflect their wickedness:

Bera (בֶּרַע) king of Sodom: His name means "in evil," indicating he ruled with wickedness.
Birsha (בִּרְשַׁע) king of Gomorrah: His name means "with wickedness," showing his corrupt leadership.

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 42:5) elaborates that these names were not their given names but epithets describing their evil deeds.

The Cities of the Plain

The five cities—Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (Zoar)—were known for their extreme corruption. Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 5:2) cites their destruction as a warning against following societal corruption, emphasizing that their sins were so grievous that they warranted annihilation.

Historical and Moral Context

The war highlights the moral decay of these cities, which later led to their destruction. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 109a) discusses the specific sins of Sodom, including cruelty and lack of hospitality, which were emblematic of their societal collapse.

Connection to Avraham

This battle is a precursor to Avraham's involvement, demonstrating his righteousness in contrast to the wickedness of these kings. The Sforno (Bereshit 14:1) explains that this war was part of Divine providence, setting the stage for Avraham to demonstrate his faith and courage in rescuing Lot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of the kings mentioned in Genesis 14:2?
A: The verse lists five kings who fought in the 'War of the Four Kings vs. the Five Kings' (later described in Genesis 14). These kings ruled cities in the region of Sodom and Gomorrah, which were known for their wickedness. Rashi explains that their names hint at their evil deeds—for example, 'Bera' (ברע) suggests 'in evil,' and 'Birsha' (ברשע) means 'in wickedness,' reflecting their corrupt leadership.

Q: Why does the Torah mention the king of Bela and call it Zoar?
A: The Torah identifies Bela as Zoar to clarify that this is the same city later spared from destruction (Genesis 19:20–23) when Lot fled there. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 42:5) notes that Zoar means 'small,' as it was the least sinful of the five cities and thus merited temporary survival.

Q: What lesson can we learn from the war between these kings?
A: The war illustrates the consequences of sin and strife. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 109a) teaches that the cities of Sodom and its allies were destroyed not just for sexual immorality but for cruelty, greed, and injustice. This reminds us of the importance of ethical behavior and avoiding conflict driven by selfishness.

Q: How does this verse connect to Avraham's story?
A: This war sets the stage for Avraham's rescue of Lot (Genesis 14:14–16), demonstrating his courage and loyalty to family. Ramban (Nachmanides) highlights that Avraham's involvement shows his commitment to justice, even for wicked cities, as he sought to save his nephew and others unjustly captured.