Genesis 14:17-24

Melchizedek's Blessing

17 After Abram returned from defeating Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).

18 Then Melchizedek, king of Salem,^[a] brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High.

19 He blessed him and said: Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator^[b] of heaven and earth,

20 and give praise to^[c] God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you. And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.^[d]

21 Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people, but take the possessions for yourself."

22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand in an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,

23 that I will not take a thread or sandal strap or anything that belongs to you, so you can never say, 'I made Abram rich.'

24 I will take nothing^[e] except what the servants have eaten. But as for the share of the men who came with me-Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre-they can take their share."

Genesis 14:17-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 14

This chapter gives an account of a war that was waged, and a battle fought between four kings on one side, and five on the other, and of the occasion and issue of it, who were the first kings, and this the first battle the Scriptures speak of, Ge 14:1-11; Lot and his goods being taken and carried off, with those of Sodom, by the conquerors, Abram hearing of it armed his men, and pursued after them, and overtook and overcame them, and rescued Lot and his goods, with others, and returned, Ge 14:12-16; when he was met by the kings of Sodom and Salem, who congratulated him on his victory, Ge 14:17-19; and what passed between him, and those great personages, is related, Ge 14:20-24.

Footnotes

• [a]. Ps 110:4
• [b]. Or Possessor
• [c]. Or and blessed be
• [d]. Heb 7:1-10
• [e]. Lit Nothing to me