Genesis — Chapter 14

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1And 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;

2That 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.

3All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.

4Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

5And 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,

6And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto El-paran, which is by the wilderness.

7And they returned, and came to En-mishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites that dwelt in Hazezon-tamar.

8And 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;

9With 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.

10And 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.

11And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.

12And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

13And 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.

14And 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.

15And 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.

16And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

17And 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.

18And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

19And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

20And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

21And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.

22And 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,

23That 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:

24Save 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.

1And it came to pass 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 (the same is Zoar).

3All these joined together in the vale of Siddim (the same is the Salt Sea).

4Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

5And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, and the Zuzim in Ham, and the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim,

6and the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness.

7And they returned, and came to En-mishpat (the same is Kadesh), and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazazon-tamar.

8And 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 set the battle in array against them in the vale of Siddim;

9against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings against the five.

10Now the vale of Siddim was full of slime pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell there, and they that remained fled to the mountain.

11And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.

12And they took Lot, Abram`s brother`s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

13And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew: now he dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner; and these were confederate with Abram.

14And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued as far as Dan.

15And he divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

16And he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

17And the king of Sodom went out to meet him, after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, at the vale of Shaveh (the same is the King`s Vale).

18And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was 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 hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him a tenth of all.

21And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.

22And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lifted up my hand unto Jehovah, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth,

23that I will not take a thread nor a shoe-latchet nor aught that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

24save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men that went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their portion.

1At that time Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations

2went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

3These last five kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).

4For twelve years they had served Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

5In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings who were his allies came and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim,

6and the Horites in their hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is near the desert.

7Then they attacked En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh) again, and they conquered all the territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who were living in Hazezon Tamar.

8Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and prepared for battle. In the Valley of Siddim they met

9Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar. Four kings fought against five.

10Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits. When the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, they fell into them, but some survivors fled to the hills.

11The four victorious kings took all the possessions and food of Sodom and Gomorrah and left.

12They also took Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions when they left, for Lot was living in Sodom.

13A fugitive came and told Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, the brother of Eshcol and Aner. (All these were allied by treaty with Abram.)

14When Abram heard that his nephew had been taken captive, he mobilized his 318 trained men who had been born in his household, and he pursued the invaders as far as Dan.

15Then, during the night, Abram divided his forces against them and defeated them. He chased them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.

16He retrieved all the stolen property. He also brought back his nephew Lot and his possessions, as well as the women and the rest of the people.

17After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet Abram in the Valley of Shaveh (known as the King’s Valley).

18Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (Now he was the priest of the Most High God.)

19He blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by the Most High God, Creator of heaven and earth.

20Worthy of praise is the Most High God, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.

21Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and take the possessions for yourself.”

22But Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I raise my hand to the Lord, the Most High God, Creator of heaven and earth, and vow

23that I will take nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal. That way you can never say, ‘It is I who made Abram rich.’

24I will take nothing except compensation for what the young men have eaten. As for the share of the men who went with me—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre—let them take their share.”

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, and with Birsha, king of Gomorrah, Shinab, king of Admah, and 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 came, and the kings who were with him, and struck the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzim in Ham, and 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, and the king of Admah, and 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, and Tidal king of Goiim, and 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, and 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; and they were allies of Abram.

14When Abram heard that his relative was taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, 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: and he was priest of God Most High.

19He blessed him, and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth:

20and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave him a tenth of all.

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 Yahweh, 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.”

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Abram rescues Lot from a coalition of kings, then receives a blessing from the mysterious priest-king Melchizedek.

Authorship & Background

Author: Moses (see Chapter 1 notes for full authorship details).
Historical Context: Chapter 14 is the first battle narrative in Scripture and introduces one of the Bible's most mysterious figures: Melchizedek. Four eastern kings raid the Jordan plain, capturing Lot (who now lives IN Sodom, v.12 — he's moved from "toward" Sodom in 13:12). Abram rescues Lot with 318 trained servants, then encounters two kings: Melchizedek (who blesses him) and the king of Sodom (whose offer he refuses). The chapter reveals Abram as warrior, rescuer, worshipper, and man of integrity.
The War of the Kings (vv.1-12): Four eastern kings (led by Chedorlaomer of Elam) defeat five kings of the Jordan plain (including Sodom and Gomorrah). They plunder the cities and capture Lot (v.12).
Abram's Rescue (vv.13-16): Abram hears of Lot's capture (v.13). He arms 318 trained servants (v.14). Night attack — pursues the enemy to Dan and beyond Damascus (vv.14-15). Recovers everything: goods, people, and Lot (v.16).
Melchizedek (vv.18-20): "King of Salem, priest of the most high God" (v.18). Brings bread and wine (v.18). Blesses Abram (v.19). Abram gives him a tithe of everything (v.20). A type of Christ: king-priest, no recorded genealogy, blesses God's people (cf. Hebrews 7).
The King of Sodom's Offer (vv.21-24): "Give me the persons, and take the goods" (v.21). Abram refuses everything — "lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich" (v.23). God alone will be his provider.

Map & Geography

  • The five cities of the plain: Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar (v.2) — all near the southern Dead Sea region.
  • The invading kings come from Shinar (Babylonia), Ellasar, Elam (modern Iran), and Goiim — a coalition from the east.
  • Dan (v.14) — the northernmost extent of the land, showing Abram's military reach. Located at the foot of Mount Hermon.
  • Salem (v.18) — identified with Jerusalem (Psalm 76:2). Melchizedek rules here. First biblical mention of this city.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers the war, Abram's rescue, Melchizedek's significance, and Abram's refusal of Sodom's wealth.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "Melchizedek" on vv.18-20 (MTP Vol. 11, No. 638) "King of Salem — king of peace. Priest of the most high God — before Aaron, before Levi, before the Law. He appears without genealogy, without beginning or end of days — a type of Christ who is priest forever. He blesses Abram — the greater blesses the lesser. And Abram tithes to him — acknowledging his superiority. In this mysterious figure, we see Christ: king and priest, eternal, blessing His people, receiving their worship."

Reflection

  • 1. Lot's choice (13:12) led to captivity (14:12). Bad decisions have consequences. Where might your "pitching toward Sodom" lead you?
  • 2. Abram risked everything to rescue Lot — despite Lot's foolish choices. Are you willing to help those who've made bad decisions? Grace doesn't wait for people to deserve rescue.
  • 3. Melchizedek appears with bread and wine — blessing and refreshment after battle. Christ meets you after your struggles with sustenance and blessing. Are you receiving from Him?
  • 4. Abram refused Sodom's wealth (vv.22-23). He wouldn't let a pagan king take credit for God's provision. Where are you tempted to accept provision from sources that would compromise your testimony?
  • 5. "I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward" (15:1 — immediately after this refusal). When you refuse worldly wealth for God's sake, God Himself becomes your reward. Is He enough?