Amraphel (אַמְרָפֶל, amraphel). The king of Shinar in the alliance with Chedorlaomer against Sodom and the cities of the plain (Gen 14:1, 4, 9). Shinar was a region of plains in southern Mesopotamia, also known as Chaldea. In the 19th century, scholars identified Amraphel as Hammurabi of Babylon, but few scholars hold to this view today.

Amraphel was part of an alliance that included three other kings:

1. Arioch of Ellasar

2. Tidal king of Goiim

3. Chedorlaomer of Elam

The confederacy made its incursion into Syria-Palestine a year after five kings of the plain had rebelled against Chedorlaomer, their overlord for 12 years. Chedorlaomer and his forces defeated the Rephaim in Ashtaroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, and the Horites in the hill country of Seir. Then they returned to Kadesh and defeated the Amalekites and the Amorites at Hazazon-tamar (Gen 14:5–7). When the rebelling alliance of kings (Bera of Sodom, Birsha of Gomorrah, Shinab of Admah, Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela/Zoar) went out to fight the alliance of Chedorlaomer in the Valley of Siddim, they were defeated. Abraham’s nephew, Lot, was taken captive by the victorious Chedorlaomer.