3540. Kedorlaomer
Lexical Summary
Kedorlaomer: Kedorlaomer

Original Word: כְּדָרְלָעֹמֶר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Kdorla`omer
Pronunciation: keh-dor-lah-oh-mer
Phonetic Spelling: (ked-or-law-o'-mer)
KJV: Chedorlaomer
NASB: Chedorlaomer
Word Origin: [of foreign origin]

1. Kedorlaomer, an early Persian king

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Chedorlaomer

Of foreign origin; Kedorlaomer, an early Persian king -- Chedorlaomer.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
a king of Elam
NASB Translation
Chedorlaomer (5).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
כְּדָרְלָעֹמֶר proper name, masculine king of Elam (= Babylon. Kudar-Laga[mar] (Lagamaru = proper name, of divinity), see PinchesVict. Inst. Jan. 20, 1896 SayPSBA, June 1896, 176 ScheilRev. Bibl. 1896, 600 f., compare SchrCOT) — Genesis 14:1,4,5,9,17.

Topical Lexicon
Name and Identity

Kedorlaomer is introduced in Genesis 14:1 as “king of Elam,” an ancient kingdom east of Mesopotamia. His name combines an Elamite royal element with a West Semitic theophoric ending, reflecting the international character of the coalition he led.

Historical Background

The narrative of Genesis 14 records one of the earliest biblical descriptions of multinational warfare. Kedorlaomer’s coalition—comprising Amraphel of Shinar, Arioch of Ellasar, and Tidal of Goiim—illustrates how distant powers exerted political and economic control over the Jordan Valley in the patriarchal era. Extra-biblical Elamite records confirm Elam’s prominence in the late third and early second millennia BC, providing a plausible historical backdrop for Kedorlaomer’s suzerainty over Canaanite city-states.

Role in the Patriarchal Narrative

Genesis 14 portrays Kedorlaomer as the dominant figure among four eastern kings who exacted tribute from five Canaanite kings, including those of Sodom and Gomorrah. After twelve years of submission, the Canaanite coalition rebelled:

“ For twelve years they had served Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.” (Genesis 14:4)

Kedorlaomer’s punitive campaign swept southward, defeating the Rephaim, the Zuzites, the Emim, and the Horites (Genesis 14:5-6). His victories display the might of the coalition and the vulnerability of Canaan’s peoples before a distant imperial power.

Conflict with Abram and Divine Deliverance

The turning point comes when Lot, Abram’s nephew, is taken captive after the fall of Sodom. Abram’s response highlights covenantal faith and divine empowerment:

“ When Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he led out his 318 trained men, born in his household, and pursued them as far as Dan.” (Genesis 14:14)

Despite the overwhelming superiority of Kedorlaomer’s forces, Abram’s night attack routed the coalition, rescued Lot, and reclaimed the spoils. Scripture attributes this improbable victory to the LORD’s providence, underscoring God’s protective promise in Genesis 12:3 that He would bless those who blessed Abram and curse those who cursed him.

Aftermath and Meeting with Melchizedek

Following the triumph, Abram encountered Melchizedek, king-priest of Salem, who blessed him and received a tenth of the spoils (Genesis 14:18-20). Kedorlaomer’s defeat thus serves as the narrative bridge to Melchizedek’s appearance—a typological foreshadowing of Christ’s eternal priesthood (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7). The episode affirms that political events, even remote imperial wars, unfold under divine sovereignty to advance redemptive revelation.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Sovereignty over Nations

Kedorlaomer’s rise and fall illustrate that earthly empires operate within boundaries established by God (Job 12:23; Acts 17:26). Though he commanded vast resources, the king of Elam could not withstand the purpose of God working through one covenant bearer.

2. Blessing and Curse Motif

By seizing Lot, Kedorlaomer placed himself in opposition to Abram, thereby incurring the “curse” aspect of the Abrahamic promise. His defeat verifies the inviolability of God’s covenant word.

3. Faith-Driven Action

Abram’s courageous pursuit models faith that acts decisively while trusting the LORD for victory. Ministry application includes confident obedience in seemingly impossible tasks, knowing success rests on divine, not human, strength.

4. Prefiguration of Christ’s Redemption

Just as Abram liberated Lot from a foreign oppressor, so Christ delivers believers from the dominion of darkness (Colossians 1:13). The transfer of spoils to Melchizedek anticipates worshipful acknowledgment of God’s ultimate deliverer.

Lessons for Ministry

• Intercession and Rescue

Abram risked everything for Lot; likewise, believers are called to sacrificial intervention for those ensnared by the world’s powers (James 5:19-20).

• Stewardship of Victory

Abram refused the king of Sodom’s reward (Genesis 14:22-24), demonstrating integrity and dependence on God alone for provision. Ministry workers must guard against compromising alliances that detract from God’s glory.

• Tithing as Worship

The tithe to Melchizedek precedes Mosaic law, indicating that grateful giving is a timeless response to divine deliverance, not a mere legal obligation.

Summary

Kedorlaomer, though mentioned only five times (Genesis 14:1, 4, 5, 9, 17), plays a pivotal role in revealing God’s supremacy over nations, the power of covenant promises, and the pattern of redemptive deliverance culminating in Jesus Christ. His brief cameo in Scripture reminds readers that even the greatest earthly kings are instruments in the hands of the sovereign LORD, and that faith, not force, secures true and lasting victory.

Forms and Transliterations
כְּדָרְלָעֹ֑מֶר כְּדָרְלָעֹ֙מֶר֙ כְּדָרְלָעֹ֜מֶר כְדָרְלָעֹ֗מֶר כדרלעמר לָעֹ֔מֶר לעמר chedarelaOmer kə·ḏā·rə·lā·‘ō·mer ḵə·ḏā·rə·lā·‘ō·mer kəḏārəlā‘ōmer ḵəḏārəlā‘ōmer kedarelaOmer lā‘ōmer lā·‘ō·mer laOmer
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Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 14:1
HEB: מֶ֣לֶךְ אֶלָּסָ֑ר כְּדָרְלָעֹ֙מֶר֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ עֵילָ֔ם
NAS: of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king
KJV: of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king
INT: king of Ellasar Chedorlaomer king of Elam

Genesis 14:4
HEB: עָבְד֖וּ אֶת־ כְּדָרְלָעֹ֑מֶר וּשְׁלֹשׁ־ עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה
NAS: they had served Chedorlaomer, but the thirteenth
KJV: they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth
INT: years had served Chedorlaomer three ten

Genesis 14:5
HEB: שָׁנָ֜ה בָּ֣א כְדָרְלָעֹ֗מֶר וְהַמְּלָכִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר
NAS: year Chedorlaomer and the kings
KJV: came Chedorlaomer, and the kings
INT: year came Chedorlaomer and the kings after

Genesis 14:9
HEB: אֵ֣ת כְּדָרְלָעֹ֜מֶר מֶ֣לֶךְ עֵילָ֗ם
NAS: against Chedorlaomer king of Elam
KJV: With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam,
INT: against Chedorlaomer king of Elam

Genesis 14:17
HEB: אֶת־ כְּדָר־ לָעֹ֔מֶר וְאֶת־ הַמְּלָכִ֖ים
NAS: from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings
KJV: from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings
INT: his return the defeat of Chedorlaomer the king who

5 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 3540
5 Occurrences


ḵə·ḏā·rə·lā·‘ō·mer — 1 Occ.
kə·ḏā·rə·lā·‘ō·mer — 3 Occ.
lā·‘ō·mer — 1 Occ.

3539
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