1 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;
2 [That these] 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, which is Zoar.
3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
5 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that [were] with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
6 And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which [is] by the wilderness.
7 And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which [is] Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.
8 And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same [is] Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;
9 With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.
10 And the vale of Siddim [was full of] slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.
12 And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these [were] confederate with Abram.
14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained [servants], born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued [them] unto Dan.
15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which [is] on the left hand of Damascus.
16 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.
17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that [were] with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which [is] the king’s dale.
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he [was] the priest of the most high God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed [be] Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
23 That I will not [take] from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that [is] thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
Overview of Genesis Chapter 14
Genesis 14 presents a significant narrative that involves a conflict between regional kings, the rescue of Lot, and the introduction of Melchizedek, the king of Salem. This chapter highlights themes of loyalty, faith, and divine providence.
Key Characters
- Abraham: The patriarch who demonstrates bravery and faith in rescuing his nephew Lot.
- Lot: Abraham’s nephew, who is captured during the conflict between kings.
- Melchizedek: The king of Salem and priest of God Most High, who blesses Abraham.
- Kings of the East: Including Chedorlaomer, who leads a coalition against the kings of the cities of the plain.
- Kings of the Cities of the Plain: Including Bera, Birsha, Shinab, Shemeber, and the king of Bela.
Summary of Events
- Conflict among Kings (Verses 1-12)
- A coalition of kings from the east, led by Chedorlaomer, wages war against the kings of the cities of the plain.
- The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are defeated, and Lot is taken captive along with his possessions.
- Abraham’s Rescue Mission (Verses 13-16)
- Abraham learns of Lot’s capture from an escaped survivor.
- He gathers 318 trained men and pursues the captors, demonstrating leadership and courage.
- Abraham successfully rescues Lot and retrieves the goods taken from Sodom.
- Meeting with Melchizedek (Verses 17-24)
- Upon returning, Abraham encounters Melchizedek, who blesses him and offers bread and wine.
- Abraham gives Melchizedek a tithe of the spoils, recognizing his priestly authority.
- Abraham refuses to take any spoils from the king of Sodom, asserting his independence and faith in God.
Thematic Analysis
- Faith and Divine Providence
Abraham’s actions reflect his deep faith in God. His decision to rescue Lot demonstrates his commitment to family and righteousness. The successful rescue can be seen as a testament to divine support in times of peril.
- Leadership and Courage
Abraham’s ability to mobilize a small force against a coalition of kings highlights his leadership skills and courage. This act of bravery sets a precedent for future leaders in the biblical narrative.
- The Role of Melchizedek
Melchizedek’s appearance introduces the concept of a priest-king, foreshadowing the later biblical themes of Christ’s priesthood. His blessing of Abraham signifies the importance of spiritual authority and the acknowledgment of God in Abraham’s victories.
- Ethics of War and Possessions
Abraham’s refusal to take spoils from Sodom emphasizes ethical considerations in warfare. His choice to rely on God rather than material wealth reflects a deeper spiritual conviction.
Conclusion
Genesis Chapter 14 is a pivotal moment in the Abraham narrative, showcasing themes of faith, loyalty, and divine intervention. The chapter not only advances the plot involving Lot but also introduces Melchizedek, enriching the theological landscape of the biblical text.
