Interesting Facts

• Bera was the king of Sodom.
• He was one of the five kings who made war with Chedorlaomer and his allies in the vale of Siddim.
• His forces were smitten before the kings of Elam.
• He fled and fell into a slimepit (lime pit) during the battle.
• After Abram’s victory, Bera went out to meet him and offered him the goods of Sodom if Abram would return the people.

Genealogy

• The sources do not provide any information regarding Bera’s ancestry, birth, marital connections, or offspring.

Historical Context

Bera reigned over the city of Sodom during a period of significant political and military conflict in the region of the plain. Sodom was part of a coalition of five cities that had been subject to Chedorlaomer of Elam for twelve years before rebelling in the thirteenth year. This rebellion led to a major war in the vale of Siddim involving nine kings. The presence of slimepits (lime pits) in the vale of Siddim was a geographical feature that played a role in the battle. The cultural dynamics of Sodom are later depicted as exceedingly wicked and sinful before the Lord, but this context is introduced later in the narrative, after the events of the war.

Narrative

Bera’s narrative begins with his involvement as the king of Sodom in the alliance against Chedorlaomer, the king of Elam, and his three allied kings. He led his forces into the vale of Siddim to engage in battle with these powerful rulers. However, the five kings of the plain, including Bera, suffered a defeat at the hands of the Elamite coalition. In the ensuing rout, Bera fled along with the king of Gomorrah and fell into one of the many slimepits in the valley. Following Abram’s successful military campaign against Chedorlaomer and the recovery of the plundered goods and captives, including Lot, Bera emerged from the lime pits to meet Abram in the valley of Shaveh (the king’s dale). Bera offered Abram the goods of Sodom, requesting only the return of the people who had been taken captive. Abram, however, refused to take any of the goods for himself, stating his oath to the Lord Most High. Bera and the other kings of Sodom then took back their people and property as per Abram’s word. This interaction highlights Bera’s concern for his people and his willingness to negotiate for their return after suffering a military defeat.