Lexical Summary Shaveh: Shaveh Original Word: שָׁוֵה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shaveh From shavah; plain; Shaveh, a place in Palestine -- Shaveh. see HEBREW shavah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shavah Definition a valley near Salem NASB Translation Shaveh (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. שָׁוֵה in proper name, of a location ׳עֵמֶק שׁ Genesis 14:17 (see ׳ע); Σαυη. Topical Lexicon Etymology and Sense שָׁוֵה (Shaveh) denotes a “level place” or “plain.” In both occurrences it functions as a place-name that underscores the topography—a flat, open area conducive to large gatherings, travel, or military action. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Genesis 14:5 – “They defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim.” Geographical Setting • Shaveh Kiriathaim lay east of the Jordan in Moabite territory, paired with Kiriathaim (“double city”). Its level terrain formed a natural corridor for the coalition led by Chedorlaomer. Historical Context Genesis 14 records the earliest detailed military campaign in Scripture. Four eastern kings swept through Transjordan and Canaan, subduing peoples noted for size and strength (Rephaim, Zuzim, Emim). The mention of Shaveh Kiriathaim shows the campaign’s breadth—extending deep into Moabite lands. After Abram’s victorious rescue of Lot, royal emissaries converge in the Valley of Shaveh. This neutral, open plain allows the king of Sodom to approach Abram while Melchizedek, king-priest of Salem, simultaneously comes forth with bread, wine, and blessing. The scene anticipates the later role of Jerusalem as Israel’s royal-priestly center. Theological Significance 1. Meeting Place of Kings and Covenant Bearer Shaveh becomes the backdrop for a threefold encounter: the pagan king of Sodom, the righteous king-priest Melchizedek, and Abram, the covenant bearer. The plain underscores the public, historical verifiability of God’s dealings with Abram. 2. Foreshadowing of Christ’s Priesthood Melchizedek’s appearance “in the Valley of Shaveh” prefigures the Messiah’s dual offices. Hebrews 7 draws a straight line from this event to Jesus Christ, “a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” Thus Shaveh marks the first biblical stage upon which the eternal priest-king steps. 3. Warfare and Divine Deliverance In Shaveh Kiriathaim the formidable Emim fall beneath human armies, highlighting mortality even among “giants.” Conversely, in the Valley of Shaveh Abram’s 318 men plus divine favor rout a confederacy of kings. Both sites teach that the Lord determines the outcome of battles, whether against giants or coalitions. Ministry Implications • Fellowship Around Bread and Wine: Melchizedek’s offering anticipates the ordinance of Communion. Ministry that elevates Christ’s body and blood rightly positions believers to receive blessing. Prophetic and Eschatological Threads Zechariah foresees the Mount of Olives splitting and a valley forming “to Azal” (Zechariah 14:4-5), possibly extending the King’s Valley. The place where the shadow-figure of Christ blessed Abram may also frame the Messiah’s climactic return, knitting Genesis to Revelation in geographic continuity. Related Passages for Further Study 2 Samuel 18:18; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:1-28; John 6:53-58; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Forms and Transliterations בְּשָׁוֵ֖ה בשוה שָׁוֵ֔ה שוה bə·šā·wêh bəšāwêh beshaVeh šā·wêh šāwêh shaVehLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 14:5 HEB: וְאֵת֙ הָֽאֵימִ֔ים בְּשָׁוֵ֖ה קִרְיָתָֽיִם׃ INT: Ham and the Emim Shaveh Kiriathaim Genesis 14:17 2 Occurrences |