Bible Locations

The Valley of Siddim was the site of the battle between the four eastern kings and the five kings of the cities of the plain. Genesis 14:3 says, "All these latter kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Dead Sea Valley)." The kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and Bela (Zoar) rebelled against Kedorlaomer, king of Elam. "Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell into them" (14:10). The eastern kings took Lot captive, and Abraham rescued him. The Dead Sea is known for asphalt, or bitumen, which floats to the surface in lumps, and the ancient Egyptians used it for mummification. Many scholars think the valley was at the southern end of the Dead Sea, now partly under water or salt flats.