“They waged war with Bera king of Sodom, with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Adma, and Shemever king of Tzevoyim, and the king of Bela, which is Tzoar” (Genesis 14:2). “They waged war with Bera…” – Rabbi Meir used to expound names.43He would interpret the meaning of people’s names to uncover something about their inner nature. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korḥa would [also] expound names. “Bera” – as he was a wicked son [ben ra]; “Birsha” – as he was an evil son [ben rasha]; “Shinav” – as he aspired [shoev] to wealth; “Shemever” – as he would fly off44Sam ever – he would spread his wings to fly, i.e., he would travel far and wide in search of money. to bring wealth; “and the king of Bela, which is Tzoar” – as its residents were swallowed up [nitbale’u].
“All these joined forces at the valley of Sidim, which is the Dead Sea” (Genesis 14:3). “All these joined forces at the valley of Sidim” – it was called three names: The valley of Sidim, the valley of Shaveh,45Genesis 14:17. and the valley of Sukkot.46Psalms 60:8. The valley of Sidim – because it grew [wood used for] chopping blocks [sedanim]. Alternatively, it is because it was divided into many fields [sadim] with plowed furrows.
Alternatively, it is because it nourished its offspring47Those who resided in that land. like breasts [shadayim]. Valley of Shaveh – Rabbi Berekhya and Rabbi Ḥelbo in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman: Because there all the idolaters came to a consensus [hushvu], chopped down cedars, constructed a large platform, seated him [Abraham] atop it, and lauded him, saying: “Hear us, my lord: you are a Godly ruler in our midst” (Genesis 23:6).
They said to him: ‘You are king over us, you are ruler over us, you are a god over us.’ He said to them: ‘Let the world not lack its [true] King, and let the world not lack its [true] God.’48You should realize that God, not I, is the true king and God. Valley of Sukkot – because it was covered with trees.49Sukkot means something that provides shade. Rabbi Tanḥuma said: Grapevines, fig trees, pomegranate trees, walnut trees, almond trees, apple trees, and peach trees.
“Which is the Dead Sea” – Rabbi Aivu said: There were [originally] only channels of rivers, that broke open and became a sea. That is what is written: “He breaks channels through the rocks” (Job 28:10).