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Book of Genesis - Chapter 14 - Verse 9

14:9
With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.

Meaning

The verse you are referring to is Genesis 14:9, which describes a historical event involving four kings who went to war against five kings. Chedorlaomer, the king of Elam, was the leader of this coalition. Elam was a region located in what is now southwestern Iran. Tidal, king of nations, is believed to be a title rather than a specific ruler. Amraphel, the king of Shinar, was the ruler of a city-state in Mesopotamia. Shinar is often associated with the southern region of Mesopotamia where Babylon was located. Lastly, Arioch, king of Ellasar, is thought to have ruled a city in either northern Mesopotamia or Asia Minor. This verse highlights the political landscape of the ancient Near East during the time of Abraham. It illustrates the power dynamics and conflicts between various city-states and kingdoms in the region. The mention of these kings serves as a historical reference point for readers to better understand the context of the narrative.

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