Chedorlaomer
malePatriarchalMeaning: “Handful of sheaves (Elamite)”
The king of Elam who led a coalition against the cities of the plain; his capture of Lot drew Abraham into battle to rescue his nephew.
Biography
Chedorlaomer was the powerful king of Elam who dominated the kings of the Jordan plain. When the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah rebelled after twelve years of servitude, Chedorlaomer led a coalition of four kings to crush them (Genesis 14:1–11).
The rescue of Lot
In the victory, Chedorlaomer's forces carried off the goods of Sodom — and with them Abraham's nephew Lot. When Abraham heard, he armed 318 trained servants, pursued the kings, defeated them by night, and recovered Lot, his people, and all the spoil (Genesis 14:14–16) — the episode that led to Abraham's meeting with Melchizedek.
Life Timeline
Leads four kings against the cities of the plain
Defeated by Abraham, who rescues Lot
On the Bible timeline
Chedorlaomer belongs to the The Patriarchs era (c. 2100 – 1800 BC).
- c. 2091 BCThe Call of Abraham
- c. 1898 BCJoseph Sold into Egypt
Themes & lessons from Chedorlaomer
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Chedorlaomer appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
5 verses in 1 bookGenesis5 verses
Genesis 14:1
And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;
Genesis 14:4
Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
Genesis 14:5
And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim, Shaveh: or, The plain of Kiriathaim
Genesis 14:9
With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.
Genesis 14:17
And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.
Frequently asked about Chedorlaomer
Who was Chedorlaomer in the Bible?
The king of Elam who led a coalition against the cities of the plain; his capture of Lot drew Abraham into battle to rescue his nephew.
What does the name Chedorlaomer mean?
The name Chedorlaomer means “Handful of sheaves (Elamite)”.
What did Chedorlaomer do in the Bible?
Chedorlaomer served as king of elam.
Where does Chedorlaomer appear in the Bible?
Chedorlaomer is mentioned 5 times across 1 book: Genesis.
What can we learn from Chedorlaomer?
The story of Chedorlaomer touches on themes of chedorlaomer, sodom, abraham, armies — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Chedorlaomer's life.
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