Abraham and Chedorlaomer: Chronological, Historical and Archaeological Evidence

What is it about?

For historians, chronology is the backbone of history but, regarding ancient events, they are unable to build an accurate chronology. For example, historians consider the biblical account about Chedorlaomer's campaign against Sodom as a pious fiction (Gn 14:1-20). However, the Gospels refer to it as a real story, which is even described as essential to faith (Hb 6:20-7:2). According to the chronology drawn from the Masoretic text, Abraham's departure from Ur and his arrival in Canaan (1963 BCE) when Abraham was 75 years old (Gn 12:4- 5). The revolt of Transjordan kings against Chedorlaomer occurred in the 13th year of his dominion and the following year (1954 BCE) he was slaughtered by Abraham (Gn 14:4-17). A chronological reconstruction based on synchronisms shows that among the dynasties from Sumerian lists the 3rd and last Elamite king of the Awan I dynasty was Kudur-Lagamar (1990-1954). Ashurbanipal, after his conquest of Elam and Susa ransacking, exposed (in 646 BCE) the capture of the goddess Nanaya (in Uruk) by Kudur-Lagamar which occurred around 1300 years earlier (in 1968 BCE). The Spartoli tablets (c. 650 BCE) describe this famous attack of Babylonia by a coalition of evil kings named Kudur-KUKUmal, king of Elam, Tud-Gula, king of Gutium, and Eri-Aku [king of Larsa]. This coalition of kings (Sumer, Larsa, Gutium) united under Kutur-Lagamar is quite likely, because all these kings were vassals or allies of the king of Elam (and Akkad) at that time, moreover, they came from neighbouring regions. One can notice that Puzur-In-Susinak, a powerful king of Elam, founded a new dynasty which has been classified as belonging to the kings of Akkad, which explains the gap of about 30 years between the end of the Elamite dynasty of Awan II and the beginning of the dynasty of Simaski. After the destruction of Ur by Kindadu, which marked the end of Ur III, the dynasty of Awan I (postponed) just after the dynasty of Ur I instead of Ur III. Chedorlaomer's route 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 (1975-1946) because southern Canaan was a big source of supply. In order to protect Egypt, Amenemhat I built the "Walls of the Ruler". In addition, first Execration Texts against Canaan and western Syria appear at this time. One can notice that the area of Sodom is called Sutu[m] in execration texts (then Moab after 1800 BCE).

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