# Now

This word introduces background information about the valley of Siddim. Your language may have another way of introducing background information. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

# was full of tar pits

"had many tar pits." These were holes in the ground that had tar in them.

# tar

a thick, sticky, black liquid that comes up from the ground. See how this is translated in [Genesis 11:3](../11/03.md).

# the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah

Here the kings represent themselves and their armies. Alternate translation: the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah and their armies" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

# they fell in there

Possible meanings are 1) some of their soldiers fell in the tar pits or 2) the kings themselves fell in the tar pits. Since [Genesis 14:17](./17.md) says that the king of Sodom went to meet Abram, the first meaning is more likely correct. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# Those who were left

"Those who did not die in battle and did not fall in the pits"