Abraham's encounter with Melchizedek introduces the first biblical tithe and priestly blessing, foreshadowing themes that won't fully develop until Leviticus and Hebrews.
Genesis 14
Abram Rescues Lot and Meets Melchizedek
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.” 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 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.”
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Theme
When a coalition of eastern kings defeats the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and captures Lot, Abram mobilizes his household army to rescue his nephew. After successfully defeating the kings and recovering all the captives and goods, Abram encounters the mysterious priest-king Melchizedek, who blesses him and receives a tithe. Abram then refuses to accept any spoils from the king of Sodom, declaring his trust in God alone as his provider.
Context
This chapter demonstrates Abram's growing influence and military capability in Canaan, following his separation from Lot in chapter 13 and preceding God's covenant promises in chapter 15.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-4 The War of Nine Kings Four eastern kings wage war against five Canaanite kings after a rebellion against tribute payments.
- 5-12 Victory and Captivity The eastern coalition defeats various peoples and captures Lot along with the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah.
- 13-16 Abram's Military Rescue Abram leads 318 trained men in a successful night attack to rescue Lot and recover all captives and goods.
- 17-20 Melchizedek's Blessing The priest-king of Salem blesses Abram and receives a tithe from him.
- 21-24 Abram's Refusal of Spoils Abram declines the king of Sodom's offer of goods, maintaining his integrity and dependence on God.
Abram Rescues Lot and Meets Melchizedek
14:1–14:24 narrative narration triumphant
Abram rescues Lot from captivity by defeating a coalition of kings, then meets Melchizedek who blesses him. Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth of everything but refuses to keep any spoils for himself.
person_contrast
Abraham's encounter with Melchizedek introduces the first biblical tithe and priestly blessing, foreshadowing themes that won't fully develop until Leviticus and Hebrews.
Insights
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Genesis 14:1 1 reference
Genesis 14:2 2 references
Genesis 14:5 1 reference
Genesis 14:6 4 references
Lexicals 4
Genesis 36:20 Lexical
These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,
Genesis 36:21 Lexical
Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These are the chiefs who came of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom.
Deuteronomy 2:22 Lexical
as he did for the children of Esau who dwell in Seir, when he destroyed the Horites from before them; and they succeeded…
Deuteronomy 2:12 Lexical
The Horites also lived in Seir in the past, but the children of Esau succeeded them. They destroyed them from before the…
Genesis 14:8 3 references
Lexicals 3
Genesis 10:19 Lexical
The border of the Canaanites was from Sidon—as you go toward Gerar—to Gaza—as you go toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and…
Genesis 13:10 Lexical
Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw all the plain of the Jordan, that it was well-watered everywhere, before the LORD destro…
1 Samuel 17:2 Lexical
Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and encamped in the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array again…
Genesis 14:9 1 reference
Genesis 14:10 1 reference
Genesis 14:12 2 references
Genesis 14:13 2 references
Genesis 14:23 1 reference
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
v. 1
v. 2
v. 3
v. 4
v. 5
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v. 7
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v. 9
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v. 13
v. 14
v. 15
v. 16
v. 17
v. 18
v. 19
v. 20
v. 21
v. 22
v. 23
v. 24
Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages
Historical Context
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