And they returned, and came to En-mishpat, which is Kadesh, & smote all the countrey of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezon-tamar. Genesis 14:7 (KJV)
Genesis 14 records a dramatic confrontation between a coalition of four kings and a larger alliance of five kings in the region of Canaan. The narrative begins with the four kings, including the rulers of Sodom and Gomorrah, being defeated by the five‑king coalition. After the battle, the victorious forces return and continue their campaign, as described in verse 7.
The verse mentions two geographic points: En‑mishpat, identified with Kadesh, and Hazezon‑tamar. En‑mishpat (Kadesh) is thought to have been situated in the southern part of Canaan, near the border of Edom, though its precise location remains uncertain. Hazezon‑tamar is the place where the Amorites dwelt; its identification is debated. Some scholars have linked Hazezon‑tamar with the later site known as Engedi, while others argue that the correct identification is El‑paran. The uncertainty is noted in the literature, and the identification is not universally accepted.
In this passage the returning army “smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites” who lived in Hazezon‑tamar. The Amalekites were a nomadic tribe inhabiting the desert fringe, and the Amorites were another settled people group in the area. The verse therefore records a decisive military action that subdued both groups, likely as a continuation of the larger conflict between the four and five kings.
The historical significance of Genesis 14:7 lies in its illustration of the turbulent political landscape of ancient Canaan. It provides insight into the shifting alliances, the role of warfare in establishing dominance, and the presence of multiple ethnic groups within a relatively compact region. By noting the specific peoples and locations, the text helps modern readers appreciate the complexity of the era’s geopolitics and the way biblical narratives preserve memories of these early conflicts.
