Bera בֶּ֫רַע
King of Sodom during Abraham's time
Who is Bera in the Bible?
Bera was the king of Sodom during the time of Abraham (Genesis 14:2). He led a coalition of five kings, including the rulers of Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar, in a rebellion against Chedorlaomer, the king of Elam, whom they had served for twelve years. During the ensuing Battle of the Valley of Siddim, Bera and the king of Gomorrah were defeated and fell into tar pits while their forces were scattered (Genesis 14:10). Chedorlaomer's army captured the inhabitants and goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, including Abraham's nephew Lot, which led Abraham to pursue the enemy forces and achieve a decisive victory (Genesis 14:14-16). Bera's defeat illustrates the vulnerability of the cities of the plain and sets the stage for Abraham's role as a military deliverer in the patriarchal narrative.
Biography
Bera was the king of Sodom during the time of Abraham. He formed an alliance with four other kings—Birsha of Gomorrah, Shinab of Admah, Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (Zoar)—to rebel against Chedorlaomer, the king of Elam, whom they had served for twelve years (Gen. 14:1-2). In the ensuing battle, known as the Battle of the Valley of Siddim, the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled and fell into the tar pits, while the rest fled to the mountains (Gen. 14:10). Chedorlaomer's forces captured the goods and people of Sodom and Gomorrah, including Abraham's nephew Lot. This prompted Abraham to mount a rescue mission, ultimately defeating Chedorlaomer and his allies and freeing the captives (Gen. 14:14-16).
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentGenesis 1 verse
- Genesis 14:2
"went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar)."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בֶּ֫רַע |