Overview
The Bible addresses confederacies across 12 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Joshua and Genesis. Closely related themes include Armies, Adoni-Zedek, Amorites, the and Gibeonites. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Joshua, Adonizedek, Chedorlaomer and Amraphel.
Key Bible verses about confederacies
Old Testament
Genesis
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;
That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.
Joshua
Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;
That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty. royal: Heb. cities of the kingdom
Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,
Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.
Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.
And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,
And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west,
And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.
And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.
And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. met: Heb. assembled by appointment
People in the Bible and confederacies
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying confederacies for yourself
- Begin with Genesis 14:1, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Joshua and Genesis each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Joshua, Adonizedek and Chedorlaomer and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Armies, Adoni-Zedek, Amorites, the and Gibeonites.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about confederacies?
The Bible addresses confederacies across 12 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Joshua and Genesis. Closely related themes include Armies, Adoni-Zedek, Amorites, the and Gibeonites. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Joshua, Adonizedek, Chedorlaomer and Amraphel.
How many Bible verses are about confederacies?
The Bible references confederacies in 12 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention confederacies?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is 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;”
Which people in the Bible are associated with confederacies?
Joshua, Adonizedek, Chedorlaomer, Amraphel and Arioch.
Preach & teach
Outline a sermon or build a study series on confederacies.
Preach a series on Confederacies →