Chedorlaomer

Chedorlaomer (Hebrew: kĕḏor-lā’ōmer) "a handful of sheaves"^[1], was a king of Elam according to the Hebrew Bible book of Genesis Chapter 14. He ruled fourteen years, from the East in southwestern Persia, ^[2] occupying the regions east of the Jordan river, in the days of Abram. In the last year of his reign, he campaigned against at least twelve tribal city kingdoms in response to an uprising.

Chedorlaomer's reign

After twelve years of being under Elamite rule, in the thirteenth year, the Cities of the Plain rebelled against Chedorlaomer. This spurred a domino effect that prompted the Elamite king to regain control. To ensure his success, he called upon three other allies from Shinar, Ellasar, and Tidal "nations" regions.^[3][4]

Chedorlaomer's allies

The following allies fought in every campaign under Chedorlaomer's direction, while in the fourteenth and final year of his rule. (Genesis 14:1-4)

1. King Amraphel of Shinar to the South
2. King Arioch of Ellasar to the North
3. King Tidal of "nations" - the Hittites to the West? ^[5]

Chedorlaomer's campaigns

The purpose of Chedorlaomer's campaigns was to show Elam's might to all territories under Elamite authority. His armies and allies plundered tribes and cities, for their provisions, who were en route to the revolting cities of the Jordan plain.

• The Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim
• The Zuzims in Ham
• The Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim
• The Horites in Mount Seir
• The Elparan who dwell near the wilderness
• The Amalekites in Kadesh at En-mishpat
• The Amorites in Hazezontamar
• The Canaanites of the cities of the Jordan plain ^{[Gen.14:8-10]}

Chedorlaomer's demise

Main article: Battle of Siddim

After warring against the cities of the Plain at the Battle of Siddim, King Chedorlaomer went to Sodom and Gomorrah to collect booty. At Sodom, amongst the spoils of war, he took Lot and his entire household captive. When Lot's uncle, Abram received news of what happened, he assembled a battle unit of three hundred and eighteen men who pursued the Elamite forces north of Damascus to Hobah. Abram and one of his divisions defeated Chedorlaomer. (Genesis 14:11–17) According to the King James Version, verse 17 is translated that Chedorlaomer was actually slaughtered.^[KJV] Young's Literal Translation uses the term smiting.^[YNG]

Linguistic origins

There are a number of languages which have been proposed as the origin of the name Chedorlaomer. The Persian, Assyrian and Akkadian provide the simplest linguistic agreement, but there are other possibilities.

• Persian: Kĕdorla`omer Pronunciation ked·or·lä·o'·mer.^[6]
• Assyrian: Kudurlagamar. Kudur-Mabuk was a ruler in Larsa from 1770 BC to 1754 BCE.^[6] His sons Warad-Sin and Rim-Sin I were also kings of Larsa.

See also Battle of Siddim#Identifying the kings.

See also

• Lot and Chedorlaomer
• Abram and Chedorlaomer

References

• Main source: Freedman, Meyers & Beck. Eerdmans dictionary of the Bible (ISBN 0802824005, ISBN 9780802824004), 2000, p. 232
• "Book of Jasher J.H.Perry and co. Salt Lake city 1887"

1. ^ Strongs H 3540
2. ^ Knanishu, Joseph. About Persia and its people, 1899, p. 228
3. ^ Genesis 14:9 With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel"he who's words are dark" king of Shinar better known as "Nimrod", and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.
4. ^ Eerdmans, Chedorlaomer, par.2
5. ^ Eerdmans, Chedorlaomer, par.2
6. ^ ^{a b} 'Chedorlaomer' at JewishEncyclopedia.com