complete verse (Genesis 14:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 14:3:

  • Newari: “For twelve years the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and Bela had been oppressed by King Kedorlaomer. Rebelling in the 13th year, five [of them] gathered on the banks of the Siddim River (nowdays this place is the Dead Sea).” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “These five kings gathered with their soldiers there at the Valley/Plain of Sidim which is now called the Dead Sea.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Those five kings and their armies gathered together in Siddim Valley, which is also called the Dead Sea Valley, to fight against the four kings and their armies. King Chedorlaomer and his army conquered the armies of those five kings, and demanded that those kings pay him tribute money each year.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 14:3

All these refers to the five kings, or as New International Version says, “All these latter kings….” Some interpreters believe All these refers to the four kings of verse 1, since the five kings join battle in Gen 14.8. However, this view is not supported by any modern translation. Joined forces translates a word meaning to become an ally or partner of someone and therefore, in this context, to join armies together to fight side by side.

In the valley of Siddim: valley translates here a different Hebrew word than used in 13.10, 11, 12; but the term means practically the same thing and refers, as there, to a low-lying plain or flat country. Siddim is found only here and in verses 8 and 10.

(That is, the Salt Sea) is an explanation of the valley of Siddim. The Hebrew text says literally “it [is] the Salt Sea.” Concerning the Valley of Siddim Speiser says “apparently the authentic name of the area at the southern end of the Dead Sea, which was later submerged.” Good News Translation and others say “which is now the Dead Sea.”

In translation of Salt Sea or “Dead Sea,” translators may wish to follow the term used by a major language. If that is not suitable, it is possible to give it a name such as the Salt Sea or the Dead Sea; however, the words “salt” and “dead” in reference to a large body of water may require special adjustments. Sea here means a large lake. If the translator wishes to adapt the name from Hebrew, it is yam hammelah, “Salt Sea,” and in Arabic albahar almayyit, “Dead Sea.” Some may find that expressions such as “salty water lake,” or “sea of no life,” or “lake where nothing live” are suitable models.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .