Birsha בִּרְשַׁע
King of Gomorrah during Abraham's time
Who is Birsha in the Bible?
Birsha was the king of Gomorrah during the time of Abraham, as recorded in Genesis 14:2. He was one of five regional kings who rebelled against Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, after twelve years of servitude. When Chedorlaomer and his allies invaded the Valley of Siddim to suppress this rebellion, Birsha and the other kings were defeated, and their cities were plundered, with numerous captives taken including Abraham's nephew Lot. Though Birsha himself is not mentioned after this defeat, his role in the narrative provides important political context for the events that prompted Abraham's military intervention to rescue Lot and recover the stolen goods (Genesis 14:13-16). Birsha's brief appearance illustrates the complex geopolitical landscape of ancient Canaan during the patriarchal period.
Biography
Birsha was the king of Gomorrah during the time of Abraham (Gen. 14:2). He was one of the five kings of the cities of the plain who rebelled against Chedorlaomer, the king of Elam, after serving him for twelve years. In response, Chedorlaomer and his allies invaded the region, defeating the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (Zoar) in the Valley of Siddim. The invaders seized the goods and food of Sodom and Gomorrah, and took captives, including Abraham's nephew Lot. This event prompted Abraham to mount a rescue mission, where he successfully defeated Chedorlaomer and his allies, freeing Lot and recovering the stolen goods (Gen. 14:13-16). The mention of Birsha as the king of Gomorrah provides historical context to the biblical narrative and highlights the political dynamics of the region during Abraham's time.
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 | בִּרְשַׁע |