אֶלָּסָר
Ellasar, an early country of Asia
Definition
Ellasar is the name of a kingdom in ancient Mesopotamia, mentioned in the Old Testament as part of a coalition of four kings who waged war against five Canaanite city-states (Genesis 14:1, 9). It is identified as one of the early nations of Asia, likely located in the region of northern Mesopotamia or southern Anatolia. The king of Ellasar, Arioch, joined forces with kings from Shinar, Elam, and Goiim in a campaign that culminated in the Battle of the Valley of Siddim, where Abram's nephew Lot was captured, leading to Abram's rescue mission (Genesis 14:12-16).
Biblical Usage
The word 'Ellasar' is used exclusively in Genesis 14, appearing only twice in the Old Testament (Genesis 14:1, 14:9). It functions solely as a proper noun identifying a specific geopolitical entity—a kingdom—within the narrative of the war of the kings. Its usage is purely historical and geographical, providing context for the coalition that opposed Sodom, Gomorrah, and their allies.
Etymology
The etymology of 'Ellasar' (אֶלָּסָר) is uncertain and is noted in lexicons as 'probably of foreign derivation.' It is not derived from a known Hebrew root, indicating it is a loanword, likely from Akkadian or another ancient Near Eastern language. The name may be related to the city of Larsa in southern Mesopotamia, though its precise linguistic origin and meaning remain unclear.
Semantic Range
Ellasar itself is not a theologically loaded term, but its inclusion in Genesis 14 is significant for establishing the historical and geopolitical backdrop of Abram's (Abraham's) story. The narrative demonstrates God's faithfulness in protecting His covenant promise through Abram's military victory, even against powerful foreign coalitions. Understanding Ellasar as a real place anchors the biblical account in history, contrasting the pagan kingdoms with the chosen lineage of Abram.
In its original context, Ellasar would have been recognized by ancient Israelites as one of the powerful eastern kingdoms from the Mesopotamian region, a symbol of distant foreign power and potential threat. The coalition in Genesis 14 reflects the common practice of city-states and small kingdoms forming temporary military alliances. The mention of Ellasar alongside Elam and Shinar (Babylonia) places the story firmly within the world of early second-millennium BCE Near Eastern politics.
אֲרָם (ʼĂrâm, H758) — Refers to the region of Aram (Syria), another neighboring territory in the northern Near East, distinct from Ellasar. שִׁנְעָר (Shinʻâr, H8152) — The biblical name for Babylonia/Shinar, another Mesopotamian region and member of the same coalition in Genesis 14.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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