His kingdom began in the region of Shinar with the cities of Babylon, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh.

As people migrated westward, they came across a plain in the region of Shinar and settled there.

At the time when Amraphel was king of Shinar, Arioch was king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer was king of Elam, and Tidal was king of the Goiim,

against King Chedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Shinar, and King Arioch of Ellasar four kings against five.