Genesis 14:1

1. Amraphel king of Shinar Successor of Nimrod, and perhaps mentioned first because of his location in this most ancient seat of empire . Comp . Genesis 10:10. The derivation of the name is uncertain, though some have sought to trace it in the Sanscrit Amarapala, “guardian of the immortals . ” No other record of this king is known besides what is contained in this chapter . The same is the case with Arioch king of Ellasar. The modern town Senkerah, between Ur and Ereck, is supposed by many to be the site of the ancient Ellasar here mentioned . It was known to the Greeks as Larissa, and appears from the inscriptions to have been one of the primitive capitals of this region . Chedorlaomer, though mentioned third in order here, appears from Genesis 14:4-5; Genesis 14:17 to have been the chief king, and the leader of the expedition . Elam, the province which he ruled, is doubtless the same as the vast district known as Elymais, east of the lower Tigris, and first settled by the children of Shem. Genesis 10:22. The name Kadur Mapula has been found on Chaldean bricks, and he is called “Ravager of the West.”

Tidal Sept., Thargal. This name, according to Rawlinson, is found in the early Hamitic dialect of the lower Tigris and Euphrates country, and means “the Great Chief.” The title king of nations may denote that Tidal was chief of a number of nomadic tribes, without settled dominion. Some render גוים , nations, as a proper name, Goyim . But we have no knowledge of any nation or district of that name.