Genesis 14:16-24

16 Then Abram brought back everything the enemy had stolen, the women and the other people, and Lot, and everything Lot owned.

17 After defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, Abram went home. As he was returning, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (now called King's Valley).

18 Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was a priest for God Most High

19 and blessed Abram, saying, "Abram, may you be blessed by God Most High, the God who made heaven and earth.

20 And we praise God Most High, who has helped you to defeat your enemies." Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything he had brought back from the battle.

21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, "You may keep all these things for yourself. Just give me my people who were captured."

22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I make a promise to the Lord, the God Most High, who made heaven and earth.

23 I promise that I will not keep anything that is yours. I will not keep even a thread or a sandal strap so that you cannot say, 'I made Abram rich.'

24 I will keep nothing but the food my young men have eaten. But give Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre their share of what we won, because they went with me into battle."

Genesis 14:16-24 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.