The Aliance of Three Kings

In Genesis 14 Verse 1, the stage is set for a battle. Two kings in alliance with Chedorloamer fight five Canaanite states who have rebelled against him.

Amraphel, king of Shinar Rabbinic tradition identifies Amraphel with Nimrod and Khammu-rabi. In Genesis Rabbah 42, Amraphel is called by three names. They are Cush after his father's name, Nimrod, because he established rebellion into the world, and Amraphel, which means "I will cast down." After defeating Arioch, he united Babylonia under one rule. Shinar is Hebrew for Sumer. Sumer is the earliest known civilization in the southern Mesopotamian region, south-central Iraq today. It came into existence between the sixth and fifth Millenium BC. Shinar also refers to Babylonia.

Arioch, king of Ellaser Arioch meaning "fierce lion," participated in the "Battle of the Vale of Siddim." Arioch is also called Eri-Aku king of Larsa found in a cuneiform inscription. Eri-Aku was conquered by Hammurabi. Ellasar is the Semitic Babylonian form of the city Larsa. It is also called Aste Azaga, which means "The holy seat or throne." Its Summerian name is Ararwa which is the shortened form of Arauruwa which means "light abode." The ruins of this ancient site are known as Sengara and it lies on the bank of the Euphrates.

Chedorlaomer, King of Elam Chedorlaomer or Kedorlaomer means servant of the god of Elam. Chedorlaomer is a king of Elam. Elam was an ancient civilization in southwestern present-day Iran. Elam was also known as Susiana. A name derived from its capital Susa. Elam is also one of the sons of Shem, the son of Noah. Chedorlaomer allied himself with three other kings to fight against five Canaanite states during Abraham's time. Chedorlaomer ruled for 12 years and in the 13th year, five Canaanite states rebelled against him. So, he called three allies to fight them. At the British Museum, there appears to be a written account and it mentions Chedorlaomer leading a rebellion with Tidal and Arioch's son, Durisirilani against the king of Shinar at Babel. This alliance sacks Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot is captured. Abraham and a small army attack the armies of Chedorlaomer's alliance, forcing them to flee to Damascus leaving their spoils of war.