Genesis14
New American Standard
1And it came about in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim,
2that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).
3All these kings came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).
4For twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
5And in the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, and the Zuzim in Ham, and the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim,
6and the Horites on their Mount Seir, as far as El-paran, which is by the wilderness.
7Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and conquered all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, who lived in Hazazon-tamar.
8And the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) came out; and they lined up for battle against them in the Valley of Siddim,
9against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.
10Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell into them. But those who survived fled to the hill country.
11Then they took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food supply, and departed.
12They also took Lot, Abram’s nephew, and his possessions and departed, for he was living in Sodom.
13Then a survivor came and told Abram the Hebrew. Now he was residing by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner, and they were allies with Abram.
14When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, numbering 318, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
15Then he 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 Damascus.
16He brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his relative Lot with his possessions, and also the women, and the other people.
17Then 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).
18And Melchizedek the king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High.
19And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;
20And blessed be God Most High, Who has handed over your enemies to you.” And he gave him a tenth of everything.
21Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give the people to me and take the possessions for yourself.”
22But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth,
23that I will not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, so that you do not say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’
24I will take nothing except 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.”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Genesis 14.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The battle of the kings, Lot is taken prisoner. (1–12). Abram rescues Lot. (13–16). Melchizedek blesses Abram. (17–20). Abram restores the spoil. (21–24).
vv1-12
The wars of nations make great figure in history, but we should not have had the record of this war if Abram and Lot had not been concerned. Out of covetousness, Lot had settled in fruitful, but wicked Sodom. Its inhabitants were the most ripe for vengeance of all the descendants of Canaan. The invaders were from Chaldea and Persia, then only small kingdoms. They took Lot among the rest, and his goods. Though he was righteous, and Abram's brother's son, yet he was with the rest in this trouble. Neither our own piety, nor our relation to the favourites of Heaven, will be our security when God's judgments are abroad. Many an honest man fares the worse for his wicked neighbours: it is our wisdom to separate, or at least to distinguish ourselves from them, 2Co 6:17. So near a relation of Abram should have been a companion and a disciple of Abram. If he chose to dwell in Sodom, he must thank himself if he share in Sodom's losses. When we go out of the way of our duty, we put ourselves from under God's protection, and cannot expect that the choice made by our lusts, should end to our comfort. They took Lot's goods; it is just with God to deprive us of enjoyments, by which we suffer ourselves to be deprived of the enjoyment of him.
vv13-16
Abram takes this opportunity to give a real proof of his being truly friendly to Lot. We ought to be ready to succour those in distress, especially relations and friends. And though others may have been wanting in their duty to us, yet we must not neglect our duty to them. Abram rescued the captives. As we have opportunity, we must do good to all.
vv17-20
Melchizedek is spoken of as a king of Salem, supposed to be the place afterwards called Jerusalem, and it is generally thought that he was only a man. The words of the apostle, Heb 7:3, state only, that the sacred history has said nothing of his ancestors. The silence of the Scriptures on this, is to raise our thoughts to Him, whose generation cannot be declared. Bread and wine were suitable refreshment for the weary followers of Abram; and it is remarkable that Christ appointed the same as the memorials of his body and blood, which are meat and drink indeed to the soul. Melchizedek blessed Abram from God. He blessed God from Abram. We ought to give thanks for other's mercies as for our own. Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, is the Mediator both of our prayers and praises, and not only offers up ours, but his own for us. Abram gave him the tenth of the spoils, Heb 7:4. When we have received some great mercy from God, it is very fit we should express our thankfulness by some special act of pious charity. Jesus Christ, our great Melchisedek, is to have homage done him, and to be humbly acknowledged as our King and Priest; not only the tithe of all, but all we have, must be given up to him.
Key Words
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
אַמְרָפֶל: Amraphel, a king of Shinar
מֶלֶךְ: a king
שִׁנְעָר: Shinar, a plain in Babylonia
אֲרְיוֹךְ: Arjok, the name of two Babylonians
אֶלָּסָר: Ellasar, an early country of Asia
כְּדׇרְלָעֹמֶר: Kedorlaomer, an early Persian king
עֵילָם: Elam, a son of Shem and his descendants, with their country; also of six Israelites
תִּדְעָל: Tidal, a Canaanite
גּוֹי: a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
Cross References
Genesis 14New Testament identification of Melchizedek as king of Salem and priest of the Most High God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Explicates Melchizedek's name (King of Righteousness) and title (King of Peace/Salem), and Abram's tithes.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The foundational Messianic prophecy declaring the coming King-Priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Theological exposition on the greatness of Melchizedek evidenced by Abram giving him a tenth.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Abram's physical action of lifting his hand to swear is a classic posture of a solemn oath.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Abram repeats Melchizedek's exact formula of praise, 'the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth'.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Paul refuses financial support to avoid giving critics a ground for boasting, paralleling Abram's refusal.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Connects Melchizedek's priesthood directly to Jesus Christ's eternal priesthood.
Supported by JFB
Elisha refuses Naaman's gifts to ensure all glory goes to God, reflecting Abram's noble refusal.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Daniel refuses Belshazzar's gifts, preferring to remain independent of pagan royal wealth.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Identifies the allies Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre who joined Abram and are entitled to their share.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Identifies the Rephaims, a fierce giant-like people listed among the inhabitants of Canaan.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms the Horites' ancient habitation in Mount Seir before Esau's descendants dispossessed them.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Explains Lot's capture, as he had previously chosen to pitch his tent toward Sodom.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
God Himself uses the gesture of lifting up the hand to swear a solemn oath.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The Jews in Esther's day slew their enemies but laid no hands on the spoil, mimicking Abram.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The blessing of the Lord makes rich; Abram wants wealth from God alone, not Sodom.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Establishes Abram's dwelling place at the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron.
Supported by John Calvin
Prophetic description of the 'righteous man from the east' whom God gave victory over kings.
Abram protects his allies' right to receive their due portion, respecting justice over personal asceticism.
Supported by John Calvin
The eventual catastrophic destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, whose kings fought here.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Genealogical connection confirming Lot's relationship to Abram as his brother's son.
Equates Salem, Melchizedek's realm, with Zion/Jerusalem, God's dwelling place.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Verifies Abram's household size by referencing servants born in his own house.
Thematic principle of honoring the Lord with one's substance, echoing Abram's tithes.
Supported by JFB