Genesis 14
Summary for Gen 14:1-16: 14:1-16 a In this skirmish typical of ancient politics, powerful kings formed a coalition to subjugate smaller vassal states.Summary for Gen 14:1-2: 14:1-2 b Archaeology has not identified these kings, but similar names from antiquity corroborate the report’s accuracy. The Mesopotamian kings were confederates under a suzerain, apparently Amraphel, who is mentioned first. 14:1 c Tidal apparently ruled a number of city-states (Goiim, literally nations).
Summary for Gen 14:4-5: 14:4-5 d This was Kedorlaomer’sChedorlaomer’s war. Under the feudal system of tribal affiliations, those in covenant with him had to fight. It was also Abram’s battle to rescue Lot, and those under treaty with him had to accompany him. 14:4 e King Kedorlaomer apparently defeated the Siddim Valley kings at an earlier time and put them under tribute for asphalt, olive oil, and copper. In the thirteenth year they refused to send it; in the fourteenth year (14:5 f), the invaders returned to subjugate them again.
Summary for Gen 14:5-8: 14:5-8 g The invaders came down the King’s Highway on the east side of the Jordan Valley to the Gulf of Aqaba, then circled back to the valley of the Dead Sea.
Summary for Gen 14:8-12: 14:8-12 h The five cities of the plain were close together at the south end of the Dead Sea. The Mesopotamian kings defeated the frail uprising, looted the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and carried off Lot with the other captives.
14:13 i The word Hebrew first occurs here in the Bible. It is not equivalent to the later term Habiru from Egyptian texts; the Habiru were mercenaries that roamed the land in the era of the judges.
• Mamre: See study note on 13:18.
• relatives: Or allies; literally brothers.
Summary for Gen 14:14-16: 14:14-16 j God could give his people victory over any forces invading the Promised Land. Faithfulness to God was the prerequisite for victory. God promises to bless his people and give them victory over the world. He uses those who respond to his call and can skillfully use weapons of war (cp. Eph 4:8 k; 6:10-19 l). 14:14 m Abram ... mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household: Abram was a formidable force, an outworking of God’s promise to make him great (12:2-3 n).
• Dan was a city about 150 miles north of Abram’s home in Hebron, then named Laish or Leshem (see Josh 19:47 o and study note; Judg 18:29 p). Dan, whose descendants migrated north in the days of the judges (Judg 18:1-29 q), had not yet been born (Gen 30:6 r). An editor apparently updated the text so that later readers could identify this city.
14:15 s Damascus was 40 miles north of Dan. Hobah was about 60 miles north of Damascus.
14:17 t The valley of Shaveh or King’s Valley was probably the Kidron Valley (see 2 Sam 18:18 u).
14:18 v Melchizedek means “king of righteousness,” suggesting that he was a righteous servant of God. He was probably a Jebusite priest and king; later authors regarded him as a type of Christ (Ps 110:4 w; Heb 7:1-19 x).
• Salem is the ancient name of Jerusalem (cp. Ps 76:2 y).
Summary for Gen 14:19-20: 14:19-20 z By paying a tithe (a tenth) to Melchizedek, Abram acknowledged Melchizedek as a spiritual superior (see Heb 7:4 aa) and affirmed that God had given him victory.
Summary for Gen 14:21-24: 14:21-24 ab Abram knew that accepting the offer of the king of Sodom (see study note on 14:1-2) could make him his ally or subject, as Lot had been. This would jeopardize the fulfillment of God’s promises. Faith looks beyond the riches of the world to the greater blessings that God has in store.
14:22 ac In the words of this oath, Abram may have been clarifying that his God, the Lord (Yahweh), was the God Most High that Melchizedek invoked. Perhaps Melchizedek had never heard the name Yahweh.
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