Original Word: בֶּרַע
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Bera`
Pronunciation: beh-rah'
Phonetic Spelling: (beh'-rah)
KJV: Bera
NASB: Bera
Word Origin: [of uncertain derivation]

1. Bera, a Sodomitish king

Bera

Of uncertain derivation; Bera, a Sodomitish king -- Bera.

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a king of Sodom
NASB Translation
Bera (1).

בֶּ֫רַע proper name, masculine king of Sodom Genesis 14:2 (√ unknown; ᵐ5 Βαλλα).

Identity and Setting

Bera is the only named monarch of Sodom in Scripture, introduced in the record of the coalition wars (Genesis 14). His life and reign unfold in the fertile but morally decadent region south of the Dead Sea, an area later judged by fire (Genesis 19). Though his name appears just once, the context in which it stands places him at the epicenter of one of the earliest international conflicts recorded in the Bible.

Historical Background

The narrative of Genesis 14 recounts a clash between two coalitions: four eastern kings led by Chedorlaomer of Elam and five Canaanite kings led by Bera of Sodom. For twelve years the Canaanite cities had served Chedorlaomer, but “in the thirteenth year they rebelled” (Genesis 14:4). The ensuing invasion saw the eastern forces sweep through the Transjordan and Negev, defeating every opponent in their path before meeting the five kings in the Valley of Siddim. Bera’s alliance was overwhelmed, and the tar pits of Siddim became both literal and figurative pitfalls for the defenders (Genesis 14:10).

Narrative Function

Bera’s defeat allows several key threads of redemptive history to converge:
• Abram’s courage and faith are showcased as he pursues the invaders, rescues Lot, and recovers the captives and plunder (Genesis 14:14–16).
• Melchizedek’s priestly blessing on Abram reveals a royal-priest typology fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7).
• Bera’s attempted bargain with Abram—“Give me the people, but take the goods for yourself” (Genesis 14:21)—highlights the patriarch’s refusal to enrich himself through questionable alliances (Genesis 14:22–24).

Moral and Spiritual Themes

1. The bondage of sin: Bera’s kingship over Sodom, a city already “wicked, sinning greatly against the LORD” (Genesis 13:13), underscores how corporate rebellion is often led by corrupt leadership.
2. The impotence of worldly power: Despite royal status and military alliance, Bera is unable to protect his people or possessions; only Abram, the man of covenant promise, secures deliverance.
3. Separateness of the righteous: Abram’s refusal to accept spoils from Bera models the believer’s call to avoid entanglement with unrighteous partnerships (2 Corinthians 6:14).

Typological Significance

Bera’s role anticipates Sodom’s final judgment. His fleeting appearance foreshadows the city’s complete demise, reminding readers that God’s patience with systemic evil has definite limits. The Melchizedek episode that follows contrasts two ways: the king of righteousness and peace blessing Abram versus the king of Sodom seeking transactional gain. This juxtaposition prefigures the antithesis between the kingdom of God and the world.

Geographical and Archaeological Insights

The Valley of Siddim is widely associated with the southern basin of the Dead Sea. Bitumen pits mentioned in Genesis 14:10 corroborate the region’s geological makeup, reinforcing the historical plausibility of the account. Ancient Near Eastern texts describing Elamite campaigns into Canaan align broadly with the chronology implied by Genesis 14.

Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship

• Leadership Influence: Just as Bera’s city followed him into rebellion and defeat, spiritual leaders today shape corporate destinies—for good or ill.
• Covenantal Confidence: Abram’s victory encourages believers to trust divine promises rather than military might or political coalitions.
• Stewardship of Witness: Abram’s refusal of Bera’s offer illustrates integrity in material matters, safeguarding the testimony that “the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth” (Genesis 14:22) is the true source of blessing.

Later Biblical Echoes

Although Bera himself disappears from the narrative, the memory of Sodom persists as a symbol of judgment (Deuteronomy 29:23; Luke 17:29). Bera’s fleeting kingship thus becomes a touchstone for later biblical writers calling audiences to repentance and holiness.

Summary

Bera stands as a cautionary figure—a king of a prosperous yet perverse city who falls before a foreign army and is upstaged by a servant of God. His account magnifies the sovereignty of the LORD over nations, the futility of unrighteous power, and the necessity of righteous separation, themes that continue to instruct believers in every age.

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