# These latter five kings joined together

The information that their armies were with them can be made explicit. AT: "These latter five kings and their armies joined together" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

# Twelve years they had served

The events in verses 4-7 happened before verse 3. Your language may have a way of showing this.

# they had served Kedorlaomer

They probably had to pay him taxes and serve in his army. AT: "they had been under the control of Kedorlaomer" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

# they rebelled

"they refused to serve him" or "they stopped serving him"

# came and attacked

They did this because the other kings rebelled.

# the Rephaim ... the Zuzites ... the Emites ... the Horites

These are the names of people groups. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

# Ashteroth Karnaim ... Ham ... Shaveh Kiriathaim ... Seir ... El Paran

These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

# El Paran, which is near the desert

This phrase helps readers understand where El Paran was. It can be translated as a separate sentence if necessary. AT: "El Paran. El Paran is near the desert" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]])

# translationWords

* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/king]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/desert]]