Bible Figure

Bera

Male • Old Testament
Biblical king of Sodom (Genesis 14)
A Visit With Jesus
Bera was king of Sodom during the regional war described in Genesis 14.
Bera

Biography

Bera joined the kings of Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela in rebellion against Chedorlaomer's eastern coalition. Their forces were defeated in the Valley of Siddim, and Sodom's goods and inhabitants, including Lot, were carried away. After Abram rescued the captives, the king of Sodom met him and offered Abram the recovered goods if he would return the people. Abram refused to take even a thread or sandal strap for himself, lest the king claim to have made Abram rich.

Biblical Significance

Bera's encounter with Abram highlights Abram's refusal to enrich himself through the king of Sodom and contrasts with the blessing Abram received from Melchizedek.