Genesis 14:12-22

12 And they took also Lot the son of Abram's brother, and his baggage, and departed, for he dwelt in Sodom.

13 And one of them that had been rescued came and told Abram the Hebrew; and he dwelt by the oak of Mamre the Amorite the brother of Eschol, and the brother of Aunan, who were confederates with Abram.

14 And Abram having heard that Lot his nephew had been taken captive, numbered his own home-born three hundred and eighteen, and pursued after them to Dan.

15 And he came upon them by night, he and his servants, and he smote them and pursued them as far as Choba, which is on the left of Damascus.

16 And he recovered all the cavalry of Sodom, and he recovered Lot his nephew, and all his possessions, and the women and the people.

17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him, after he returned from the slaughter of Chodollogomor, and the kings with him, to the valley of Saby; this was the plain of the kings.

18 And Melchisedec king of Salem brought forth loaves and wine, and he was the priest of the most high God.

19 And he blessed Abram, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, who made heaven and earth,

20 and blessed be the most high God who delivered thine enemies into thy power. And Abram gave him the tithe of all.

21 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, Give me the men, and take the horses to thyself.

22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I will stretch out my hand to the Lord the most high God, who made the heaven and the 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Gr. passer. Heb. [Heb. here]
• [b]. Gr. under hand to thee.
• [c]. Or, cavalry. Heb.