Lexical Summary Siddim: Siddim Original Word: שִׂדִּים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Siddim Plural from the same as sadeh; flats; Siddim, a valley in Palestine -- Siddim. see HEBREW sadeh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sadad Definition a valley near the Dead Sea NASB Translation Siddim (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs שִׂדִּים noun [masculine] plural in proper name, of a location ׳עֵ֫מֶק הַשּׂ vale of Siddim Genesis 14:3 (identification with Dead Sea), Genesis 14:8; Genesis 14:10 (= vale of furrows ? or (Di after Onk Samaritan of fields (= הַשָּׂדִים); ᵐ5 ἡ κοιλὰς [φαραγξ] ἡ ἁλυκή; RenanHist. Israel i. 116; Eng. Tr. i. 98 WeIsrael u. Jüd. Geschichte. (3) 101 proposes הַשֵּׁדִים ׳ע demon-valley). שׂדה (√ of following, meaning unknown; following plausibly connected with Assyrian šadû, mountain, used by people whose land was mountainous (compare Judges 5:18; Deuteronomy 32:13 +), by J P PetersJBL xii (1893), 54 f. and (simultaneously) BaES (1893), 65 f. compare WklAltor. Forsch. ii (1894), 192; JägerBAS ii. 282 compare Assyrian šedtum, pasture-land; Tel Amarna (Canaanite gloss) šatê WklTel Am. 180, 56; Phoenician שד = Biblical Hebrew, Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew, so Ecclus 40:22). Topical Lexicon Occurrences Genesis 14:3; Genesis 14:8; Genesis 14:10 Biblical Narrative Context The Valley of Siddim provides the battlefield on which the coalition headed by Chedorlaomer confronted the five city–states of the southern Dead Sea plain. The engagement sets the stage for Abram’s rescue of Lot, the tithe to Melchizedek, and the divine promise of blessing on Abram (Genesis 14:17-24). Scripture therefore places Siddim at a turning point where God’s covenant promises begin to manifest through Abram’s actions. Geographical and Geological Considerations A parenthetical note in Genesis 14:3 identifies the Valley of Siddim with “the Salt Sea,” placing it in the region now occupied by the Dead Sea. Genesis 14:10 further notes, “Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits,” a detail corroborated by the bitumen deposits historically mined in the area. The description presupposes a topography marked by sinkholes, asphalt seeps, and shifting ground—conditions that explain the rout of the fleeing armies and foreshadow the later judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. Historical Significance 1. First Recorded International War. Genesis 14 preserves the earliest biblical account of a multi-national conflict. Siddim thus illustrates the spread of post-Babel power blocs and the oppressive reach of Mesopotamian empires into Canaan. Theological Themes • Divine Sovereignty over Nations: The Lord permits imperial aggression, yet He overrules to elevate Abram and bless the world through him (compare Psalm 47:8). Ministry Applications • Discipleship and Courage: Abram’s swift pursuit of the captors (Genesis 14:14-16) models decisive faith that risks comfort to rescue others—a pattern echoed in Galatians 6:1-2. Related Scriptures and Cross References Genesis 13:10-13; Genesis 19:24-29; Deuteronomy 29:23; Psalm 83:3-4; Isaiah 34:8-10; Ezekiel 16:49-50; 2 Peter 2:6-9; Jude 1:7 Forms and Transliterations הַשִּׂדִּ֑ים הַשִּׂדִּֽים׃ הַשִׂדִּ֗ים השדים השדים׃ ha·śid·dîm haś·śid·dîm hasidDim haśiddîm hassidDim haśśiddîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 14:3 HEB: אֶל־ עֵ֖מֶק הַשִּׂדִּ֑ים ה֖וּא יָ֥ם NAS: to the valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt KJV: in the vale of Siddim, which INT: to the valley of Siddim which sea Genesis 14:8 Genesis 14:10 3 Occurrences |
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