Interesting Facts

• Chedorlaomer was a king of Elam.
• He was initially one of the princes in the host of King Nimrod.
• After the dispersion of people from the Tower of Babel, Chedorlaomer went to the land of Elam and reigned there, rebelling against Nimrod.
• He formed a covenant with Arioch king of Elasar and Tidal king of Goyim, and they were obedient to his commands.
• Chedorlaomer and his allied kings enforced a yearly tax on five cities of the plain for twelve years before these cities rebelled.

Genealogy

• The sources do not provide information about Chedorlaomer’s ancestry, birth, marital connections, or offspring.

Historical Context

The time of Chedorlaomer is depicted as a period of war and shifting power dynamics among various groups. The descendants of Ham were dwelling in cities they had built, and warfare occurred between their families. Nimrod, king of Shinar, initially held power, and Chedorlaomer was one of his princes. However, the dispersion following the events at the Tower of Babel led to the establishment of new kingdoms, including Chedorlaomer’s reign in Elam, which constituted a rebellion against Nimrod. The cities of the plain, including Sodom and Gomorrah, were subject to Chedorlaomer’s rule for twelve years, indicating a period of Elamite dominance in that region. The rebellion of these cities triggered a retaliatory war led by Chedorlaomer and his allies against not only the rebellious cities but also other groups in the surrounding areas. This era appears to be characterized by the rise and fall of regional powers and the formation of alliances to exert control over lands and resources.

Narrative

Chedorlaomer emerges in the narrative as a powerful king of Elam who initially served under Nimrod of Shinar. Following the scattering of peoples, he established his own kingdom and exerted control over the five cities of the plain, imposing a yearly tax upon them for twelve years. His authority was challenged when these cities rebelled in the thirteenth year, prompting Chedorlaomer to form an alliance with other kings, including Nimrod (who had seemingly come back under his power), Tidal of Goyim, and Arioch of Elasar, to wage war against the rebellious cities. Their campaign involved subduing various groups and eventually targeting the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the ensuing battle in the vale of Siddim, the forces of Sodom and Gomorrah were defeated, their goods were plundered, and Lot, Abram’s nephew who resided in Sodom, was taken captive. This act of capturing Lot drew the intervention of Abram, who, upon learning of his nephew’s plight, gathered his men and pursued Chedorlaomer and his allies, eventually defeating them and recovering the plundered goods and captives, including Lot. This encounter highlights Chedorlaomer as a significant regional power whose military actions directly impacted the lives of others, leading to conflict and ultimately a setback at the hands of Abram. The narrative portrays him as a king who demanded tribute and swiftly responded to rebellion with force, indicating a determined and assertive ruler.