Genesis 14:12-22

12 They also took Lot, 1Abram's nephew *, and his possessions and departed, 2for he was living in Sodom.
13 Then a fugitive came and told Abram the 3Hebrew. Now he was living by the 4oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner, and these were 5allies * with Abram.
14 When Abram heard that 6his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, 7born in his house, three hundred and eighteen *, and went in pursuit as far as 8Dan.
15 9He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of 10Damascus.
16 He 11brought back all the goods, and also brought back 12his relative Lot with his possessions, and also the women, and the people.

God's Promise to Abram

17 Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, 13the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, 14the King's Valley ).
18 And 15Melchizedek king of Salem brought out 16bread and wine; now he was a 17priest of God Most High.
19 He blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, 18Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." 19He gave him a tenth of all.
21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself."
22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have sworn * to the LORD 20God Most High, 21possessor of heaven and earth,

Genesis 14:12-22 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.

Cross References 21

  • 1. Genesis 11:27
  • 2. Genesis 13:12
  • 3. Genesis 40:15; Exodus 3:18
  • 4. Genesis 13:18; Genesis 14:24
  • 5. Genesis 21:27, 32
  • 6. Genesis 14:12
  • 7. Genesis 12:5; Genesis 15:3; Genesis 17:27; Ecclesiastes 2:7
  • 8. Deuteronomy 34:1; Judges 18:29; 1 Kings 15:20
  • 9. Judges 7:16
  • 10. Genesis 15:2
  • 11. 1 Sam 30:8, 18, 19
  • 12. Genesis 14:12, 14
  • 13. Genesis 14:10
  • 14. 2 Samuel 18:18
  • 15. Hebrews 7:1-10
  • 16. Psalms 104:15
  • 17. Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 5:6, 10
  • 18. Genesis 14:22
  • 19. Hebrews 7:4
  • 20. Genesis 14:19
  • 21. Psalms 24:1

Footnotes 19

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