Genesis 14:3-13

3 All these came as allies to 1the valley of Siddim (that is, 2the Salt Sea ).
4 Twelve * years they had served Chedorlaomer, but the thirteenth * year they rebelled.
5 In the fourteenth * year Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, came and defeated the 3Rephaim in 4Ashteroth-karnaim and the Zuzim in Ham and the Emim in 5Shaveh-kiriathaim,
6 and the 6Horites in their Mount Seir, as far as 7El-paran, which is by the wilderness.
7 Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, 8Kadesh ), and conquered all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, who lived in 9Hazazon-tamar.
8 And the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah and the king of Admah and the king of Zeboiim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar ) came out; and they arrayed for battle against them in 10the valley of Siddim,
9 against Chedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim and Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar -four kings against five.
10 Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and 11the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell into them. But those who survived fled to the 12hill country.
11 Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food supply, and departed.
12 They also took Lot, 13Abram's nephew *, and his possessions and departed, 14for he was living in Sodom.
13 Then a fugitive came and told Abram the 15Hebrew. Now he was living by the 16oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner, and these were 17allies * with Abram.

Genesis 14:3-13 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 17

  • 1. Genesis 14:8, 10
  • 2. Numbers 34:12; Deuteronomy 3:17; Joshua 3:16
  • 3. Deuteronomy 3:11, 13
  • 4. Deuteronomy 1:4; Joshua 9:10
  • 5. Numbers 32:37
  • 6. Genesis 36:20; Deuteronomy 2:12, 22
  • 7. Genesis 21:21; Numbers 10:12
  • 8. Numbers 13:26
  • 9. 2 Chronicles 20:2
  • 10. Genesis 14:3
  • 11. Gen 14:17, 21, 22
  • 12. Genesis 19:17
  • 13. Genesis 11:27
  • 14. Genesis 13:12
  • 15. Genesis 40:15; Exodus 3:18
  • 16. Genesis 13:18; Genesis 14:24
  • 17. Genesis 21:27, 32

Footnotes 10

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