Bera (Bible)

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Bera (Heb.: ברע) is the king of Sodom (סדם) in Genesis 14. There is no mention of this monarch outside this biblical passage, and no trace of the city of Sodom has ever been found. In the story, Bera joins other Canaanite city kings in rebelling against Chedorlaomer, an Elamite king who rules a vast empire. The huge imperial forces plunder Sodom, taking many people captive and also much plunder. The people and possessions are rescued by Abram. Bera comes---he had escaped the battle by hiding in a hole---and tells Abram he can keep all the material wealth if only he'll give him back his people. Abram generously replies that he will not take as much as a shoelace from Sodom.