Amraphel
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Amraphel in the Bible?
Amraphel, identified by some scholars with Hammurabi, king of Babylon, is depicted in Genesis 14 as leading a coalition of Mesopotamian kings against the cities of the plain, including Sodom and Gomorrah.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing Amraphel as a historical Mesopotamian ruler helps ground the Genesis narrative in the geopolitical context of the early second millennium BCE, illustrating the complex political alliances and conflicts of the ancient Near East.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Amraphel reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Amraphel in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Amraphel clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Amraphel." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/amraphel/