Chedorlaomer is a figure mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis. He is identified as a king of Elam, an ancient civilization located in what is now southwestern Iran.
Names
- Chedorlamomer
- Kedorlaomer
- Khodollogomor
- כְּדָרְלָעֹמֶר
- King of Elam
- Thalan?? (Atlantis)
According to the biblical account in Genesis 14, Chedorlaomer is mentioned as the leader of a coalition of four kings from the region of Mesopotamia. This coalition included:
- Amraphel, king of Shinar;
- Arioch, king of Ellasar
- Tidal, king of Goiim.
Chedorlaomer and his allies went to war against a group of five kings in the region of the Dead Sea, including the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah.
The group of five kings inluded:
- Bera, king of Sodom
- Birsha, king of Gomorrah
- Shinab, king of Admah
- Shemeber, king of Zeboiim
- The king of Bela, also known as Zoar
This conflict, often referred to as the Battle of Siddim or the War of the Kings, occurred because the five kings of the Dead Sea region rebelled against Chedorlaomer’s rule after 12 years of subjugation. In the 13th year, they rebelled, and in the 14th year, Chedorlaomer and his allies attacked and defeated them.
In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim
Genesis 14:5
In Genesis 14:5, the nations defeated by Chedorlaomer and his allies in the 14th year, just before their battle against the five kings of the Dead Sea region, are mentioned. The verse lists several groups:
- Rephaim: A people believed to be giants, living in Ashteroth-Karnaim.
- Zuzim: A tribe residing in Ham.
- Emim: Another group of giants, dwelling in Shaveh Kiriathaim.
- Horites: Inhabitants of Mount Seir, later displaced by the descendants of Esau.
These nations are distinct from the five kings of the Dead Sea region who rebelled against Chedorlaomer. The narrative in Genesis 14 describes a campaign where Chedorlaomer and his allies first defeat these nations and then, in the same year, engage in battle against the rebellious kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (Zoar). The earlier victories over the Rephaim, Zuzim, Emim, and Horites demonstrate the might and reach of Chedorlaomer’s coalition before they confront the kings of the Dead Sea area.
Abraham and Lot
After the defeat of the Dead Sea kings, the victors took captives and plunder, including Abraham’s nephew, Lot, who was living in Sodom at the time. Upon hearing of Lot’s capture, Abraham gathered his own forces, pursued the victorious kings, and defeated them, rescuing Lot and the other captives.
