For twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
Parallel translations
- WEB They served Chedorlaomer for twelve years, and in the thirteenth year, they rebelled.
- KJV Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
- BSB For twelve years they had been subject to Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
- NKJV Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
- NLT For twelve years they had been subject to King Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled against him.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The five kings had served Chedorlaomer twelve years before rebelling. Their revolt triggers the eastern kings' campaign.
Overview
After twelve years of vassalage, the cities of the plain rebel against Chedorlaomer, provoking military reprisal. This political backdrop explains the invasion that follows. The detail roots Abram's story in the real conflicts of his age, through which God's providence will work.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- Gen 9:25–26He said, “Canaan is cursed. He will be a servant of servants to his brothers.”
- Ezek 17:15But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and many people. Will he prosper? Will he who does such things escape? Will he break the covenant, and still escape?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 14:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.