Genesis 14 is a chapter in the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. The chapter tells the story of Abraham, who was a patriarch in the ancient Near East, and his involvement in a war between four Mesopotamian kings and five kings of the cities of the Jordan plain.
The chapter begins with a description of the four Mesopotamian kings who waged war against the five kings of the cities of the Jordan plain. The Mesopotamian kings were Chedorlaomer, king of Elam; Tidal, king of Goiim; Amraphel, king of Shinar; and Arioch, king of Ellasar. The five kings of the Jordan plain were Bera, king of Sodom; Birsha, king of Gomorrah; Shinab, king of Admah; Shemeber, king of Zeboiim; and the king of Bela, also known as Zoar.
The war between the two groups of kings was sparked by the rebellion of the cities of the Jordan plain against the rule of Chedorlaomer. The Mesopotamian kings defeated the five kings of the Jordan plain, and took many prisoners, including Lot, Abraham's nephew. When Abraham learned of this, he gathered his servants and pursued the Mesopotamian kings, defeating them and rescuing Lot and the other prisoners.
After rescuing Lot and the other prisoners, Abraham was met by Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High. Melchizedek blessed Abraham and gave him bread and wine, and Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything he had rescued.
The chapter concludes with the return of Abraham and his entourage to the city of Hebron, where they were met by the king of Sodom, who offered to give Abraham all the goods that had been recovered in exchange for the people who had been taken captive. Abraham refused the offer, stating that he would not take anything belonging to the king of Sodom.
Genesis 14 is an important chapter in the Book of Genesis, as it highlights the character of Abraham and his faith in God. It also illustrates the concept of covenant, as Abraham's actions in rescuing his nephew and the other prisoners can be seen as a fulfillment of the covenant God made with him. Finally, the chapter also introduces the figure of Melchizedek, who is later mentioned in the New Testament as a type of Christ.
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Genesis Chapter 14
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, that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela that is, Zoar. Melchizedek showed that a priest must connect with both God and man and has a ministry to both God and man. Lot relied on himself and became a slave. Now Abram was living near the Oaks of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were bound by treaty to Abram. God is in control of history. A citizen of Zion, if he has sworn, whether it be to God or man, though it prove to his own hurt, yet he changeth not, First, There may be good reason sometimes why we should debar ourselves of that which is our undoubted right, as St.
In a book filled with genealogical records he appears on the scene without a genealogy and then disappears from the narrative. We were those off in sin and shame, rescued by one who left his safety and happiness. What seems to be a tragic situation in which Lot is caught between two competing political systems is really the purpose of God being worked out for the benefit of two men primarily , Lot and Abram. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life John 3:16. These two letters are easily confused in all phases of ancient Hebrew script development. All of us, the Bible says, have sinned. Note, Pride, covetousness, and ambition, are the lusts from which wars and fightings come.
Abram liberta a Lot 14 Aconteció en los días de Amrafel rey de Sinar, Arioc rey de Elasar, Quedorlaomer rey de Elam, y Tidal rey de Goim, 2 que estos hicieron guerra contra Bera rey de Sodoma, contra Birsa rey de Gomorra, contra Sinab rey de Adma, contra Semeber rey de Zeboim, y contra el rey de Bela, la cual es Zoar. And though others may have been wanting in their duty to us, yet we must not neglect our duty to them. What a commentary on the decision of Lot in chapter 13. But Melchizedek remains an enigma. One thing that makes Melchizedek unique was he was both a king and a priest. Lot had chosen Sodom for its promise of material blessings.
Genesis 14:3 The latter five came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).
There were many among them interested in conquest and domination. . He retrieved all the goods, as well as his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the rest of the people. He brought out bread and wine. He defeated them, pursuing them all the way to Hobah, which is north of Damascus.
And Abram heard that the son of his brother was captured and he armed his three hundred and eighteen young men born in his house and he pursued after them unto Dan. Lot had seemingly gotten the best of Abram, and now God was giving it back to Abram to whom it should have belonged in the first place. Melchizedek blessed Abram out of his resources, and Abram blessed Melchizedek out of his resources. All these joined together in the Valley of Siddim that is, the Salt Sea. Now the Valley of Siddim was full of asphalt pits: There were fearful asphalt pits in this region, and some fell there. In a way it was poetic justice.
In 2 Chronicles 26:16-23, King Uzziah tried to do the work of a priest, and God struck him with leprosy. Melchizedek king of Salem: The name Melchizedek means King of Righteousness. The progress and success of the war. He brought forth bread and wine, for the refreshment of Abram and his soldiers, and in congratulation of their victory. 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.
Abram let his allies accept the offer but declines it for himself, telling the king that he will wait for God to bless him, lest the king claim credit when God makes Abram rich later. The route taken by the Mesopotamian kings has been the subject of considerable criticism. When Abram heard that his relative had been taken prisoner, he assembled his 318 trained men, born in his household, and they went in pursuit as far as Dan. The price of such goods was too high and so Abram refused what was rightfully his. All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea. The silence of the Scriptures on this, is to raise our thoughts to Him, whose generation cannot be declared.
All these latter kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim that is, the Dead Sea Valley. He limits his refusal with a double proviso, v. Bury your dead in the finest of our tombs. His tithe was tangible evidence that it was God Who deserved the glory. But also what the others are entitled to, who are not related to God by faith, should not be withheld. Four of them are named, but not the fifth, the king of Zoar or Bela, either because he was much more mean and inconsiderable or because he was much more wicked and inglorious than the rest, and worthy to be forgotten. Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.
The city of Dan is not far from the northern border of Israel. All of them were sons of his servants. He divided his forces against them by night: Abram had military wisdom. This confederation of kings who rebelled against Chedorlaomer wanted to be free from his dominion. Abram kept his own personal army, and he apparently kept them trained and ready to defend his interests. Any man who could assemble 318 servants capable of fighting must be very rich. As we have opportunity, we must do good to all.
