Abraham and Chedorlaomer: Chronological, Historical and Archaeological Evidence

Book excerpt: Historians consider the biblical account about Chedorlaomer's campaign against Sodom (1954 BCE) as a pious fiction. However, the Gospels refer to it as a real story (Heb 7:1) and a chronological reconstruction based on synchronisms shows that, among dynasties from Sumerian lists, the 3rd and last Elamite king of the Awan I dynasty was Kudur-Lagamar (1990-1954). The Spartoli tablets (c. 650 BCE) describe this famous attack of Babylonia by a coalition of evil kings named Kudur-KUKUmal, king of Elam, Tudḫula, king of Gutium, and Eri-Aku [king of Larsa]. The route of Chedorlaomer and the description of his actions show that this king came to this region near Egypt in order to maintain control over this new land trade route. This ambitious project had to have worried Amenemhat I because southern Canaan was a big source of supply. In order to protect Egypt, Amenemhat I built the "Walls of the Ruler". One can notice that the area of Sodom was called Sutu[m] in execration texts (then Moab after 1800 BCE).