Chedorlaomer

Biblical Account

Chedorlaomer is a king of Elam who appears only in Genesis 14. Elam is understood to have been a kingdom east of Mesopotamia, in what is today southwestern Iran.

Genesis 14:1 introduces him alongside Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, and Tidal king of nations (Goiim). Five kings from the region south of the Dead Sea had served Chedorlaomer for twelve years: Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar. When these kings rebelled in the thirteenth year, Chedorlaomer set out on a campaign with his allied kings in the fourteenth year (Genesis 14:4–5). The coalition struck the Rephaims, the Zuzims, the Emims, and the Horites, and went on to strike the country of the Amalekites and the Amorites as well. They then defeated the five kings in the vale of Siddim, carrying off the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah along with Lot, who was living in Sodom.

When Abram heard the news, he led 318 trained servants, born in his own house, and pursued the invaders as far as Dan. Dividing his forces and attacking by night, he pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus, and recovered Lot and the plundered goods (Genesis 14:14–16). The text records that Abram returned "from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him" (Genesis 14:17).

Significance Within Scripture

The Chedorlaomer narrative is unusual among the episodes involving Abraham in that it is set against the backdrop of an international war. At the close of this war, Melchizedek king of Salem blesses Abram, and Abram gives him a tenth (Genesis 14:18–20). This chapter is also the first place in Scripture where Abram is called "the Hebrew" (Genesis 14:13).

The New Testament does not mention Chedorlaomer by name. However, Hebrews 7:1 refers to this event, describing Abraham as "returning from the slaughter of the kings" when he met Melchizedek. On the basis of this encounter, Hebrews expounds on Melchizedek and the high priesthood of Christ.

Interpretation and Debated Issues

• Historical identity: A widely known view holds that the name corresponds to the Elamite Kudur-Lagamar ("servant of the god Lagamar"). However, the figure has not been securely identified in extrabiblical records. In the nineteenth century some argued that Amraphel was the same person as Hammurabi, but few scholars accept this identification today.
• Nature of the text: Conservative scholars read Genesis 14 as actual history. Some critical scholars hold that the chapter derives from a separate tradition, since it differs in style and content from the surrounding chapters.
• What the text does not say: Sermons often emphasize that Abram defeated a great army with only 318 men. The text, however, records that Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre were confederate with Abram and went with him (Genesis 14:13, 24). Similarly, the verse stating that the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah "fell there" into the slime pits (Genesis 14:10) is sometimes taken to mean that they died. Yet the king of Sodom later goes out to meet Abram (Genesis 14:17).

In the Korean Church

In Korean Protestant churches, Chedorlaomer is seldom treated as a sermon topic in his own right; instead, he appears as a background figure when Genesis 14 is preached. The focus of such sermons generally falls on Abram's resolve in rescuing Lot, Melchizedek's blessing, and the biblical basis for the tithe. In Korea, this passage is frequently cited in the tithing debate as an example of tithing before the Law. In Korean church school lesson materials, he is introduced as the king who took Lot captive, in lessons with titles such as "Abram Rescues Lot."