Genesis 14:16-24

16 Then he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his nephew Lot with his goods, and the women and the people.

17 After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).

18 And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High.

19 He blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth;

20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!" And Abram gave him one-tenth of everything.

21 Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself."

22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have sworn to the Lord, God Most High, maker of heaven and earth,

23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal-thong or anything that is yours, so that you might not say, "I have made Abram rich.'

24 I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their share."

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb [El Elyon]
• [b]. Heb [El Elyon]
• [c]. Heb [El Elyon]
• [d]. Heb [El Elyon]