Genesis 14:13-23

13 Then a fugitive came and told Abram the 1Hebrew. Now he was living by the 2oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner, and these were 3allies * with Abram.
14 When Abram heard that 4his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, 5born in his house, three hundred and eighteen *, and went in pursuit as far as 6Dan.
15 7He 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 8Damascus.
16 He 9brought back all the goods, and also brought back 10his 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, 11the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, 12the King's Valley ).
18 And 13Melchizedek king of Salem brought out 14bread and wine; now he was a 15priest of God Most High.
19 He blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, 16Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." 17He 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 18God Most High, 19possessor of heaven and earth,
23 that 20I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, 'I have made Abram rich.'

Genesis 14:13-23 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 20

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

Footnotes 19

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