Genesis Chapter 14 — Abram Rescues Lot
Abram rescues his nephew Lot from captive kings and receives a blessing from Melchizedek, the priest of God Most High.
1In the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar; Arioch, king of Ellasar; Chedorlaomer, king of Elam; and Tidal, king of Goiim,
2they made war with Bera, king of Sodom; Birsha, king of Gomorrah; Shinab, king of Admah; Shemeber, king of Zeboiim; and the king of Bela (also called Zoar).
3All these joined together in the valley of Siddim (also called the Salt Sea).
4They served Chedorlaomer for twelve years, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
5In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and struck the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
6and the Horites in their Mount Seir, to El Paran, which is by the wilderness.
7They returned, and came to En Mishpat (also called Kadesh), and struck all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that lived in Hazazon Tamar.
8The king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar) went out; and they set the battle in array 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 the five.
10Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and some fell there. Those who remained fled to the hills.
11They took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their food, and went their way.
12They took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who lived in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
13One who had escaped came and told Abram, the Hebrew. At that time, he lived by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner. They were allies of Abram.
14When Abram heard that his relative was taken captive, he led out his three hundred eighteen trained men, born in his house, and pursued as far as Dan.
15He divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and struck them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
16He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot and his goods, and the women also, and the other people.
17The king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).
18Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High.
19He blessed him, and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth.
20Blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”
21The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, and take the goods for yourself.”
22Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted up my hand to the LORD, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth,
23that I will not take a thread nor a sandal strap nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’
24I will accept nothing from you except that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their portion.”
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Genesis 14:18
“Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High.”
This verse introduces a unique and significant biblical figure who serves as both a king and a priest.
Genesis 14:22-23
“Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted up my hand to the LORD, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take a thread nor a sandal strap nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’”
This demonstrates Abram's commitment to relying on God's provision rather than earthly riches from war.
Chapter Summary
Genesis 14 describes a regional war involving four kings against five, leading to the capture of Abram’s nephew, Lot, in Sodom. Upon hearing the news, Abram mobilizes 318 trained men from his own household to pursue the captors. He successfully defeats them near Damascus, recovering Lot and all the looted goods. Following his victory, Abram is met by Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, who offers him bread and wine and a blessing. In response, Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth of everything. Abram also interacts with the king of Sodom, refusing to keep any of the recovered goods for himself to ensure that his wealth is attributed solely to God’s provision rather than the spoils of war. He allows his allies to take their portion but maintains his personal oath to the Lord.
Frequently Asked Questions
Abram went to war to rescue his nephew, Lot, who had been taken captive during a conflict between nine regional kings. He led a force of 318 trained men from his household to successfully recover Lot and his possessions.
Melchizedek is described as the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High. He meets Abram after his victory, offers bread and wine, and blesses him, prompting Abram to give him a tenth of all the spoils.
The Valley of Siddim was the site of a battle between two groups of kings where the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah were defeated. The area was notable for being full of tar pits, which hindered the retreat of the local forces.
Abram refused the goods because he had sworn an oath to God Most High that he would not take anything belonging to the king of Sodom. He wanted to ensure that no one could claim they had made him rich through earthly spoils.
Study Note
This chapter contains the first mention of the word 'Hebrew' in the Bible, used to describe Abram after he is notified of Lot's capture.
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