Chedorlaomer

Chedorlaomer killed the Nephilim

Chedorlaomer is a figure mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Anakim

A year later King Chedorlaomer and his allies attacked and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth-Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, and the Emites in Shaveh-Kiriathaim. They also defeated the Horites in the hill country of Edom, as far as El-Paran, near the desert.

The prior information sheds interesting light on Genesis 14:5-7, where Chedorlaomer “defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, and the Horites in their hill country of Seir,” in addition to defeating Amalekites and Amorites.

It seems Chedorlaomer fought three groups of giants—the Rephaim (the Septuagint actually translates Rephaim in Genesis 14:5 as γίγαντας, “giants”), the Zuzim (which is probably the Zamzummim of Deuteronomy 2:20), and the Emim (Deuteronomy 2:10-11).

What is all the more fascinating is that Abraham then went and defeated Chedorlaomer—the giant killer—in order to rescue his nephew Lot (Genesis 14:14-17).

Races

Zuzites

According to Genesis 14:5, the Zuzim were conquered by a coalition of kings led by Chedorlaomer, the King of Elam.

Races

Rephaites

A year later King Chedorlaomer and his allies attacked and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth-Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, and the Emites in Shaveh-Kiriathaim.