Genesis 14
Four kings wage war against five kings near Sodom, and Lot is captured. Abram leads 318 trained men to rescue Lot and defeats the kings. On his return, Melchizedek king of Salem blesses Abram and Abram gives him a tenth of the spoils.
GenesisChapter 14 of 5024 versesBerean Standard Bible
In this passage: AbrahamChedorlaomerBeraSodomGomorrah
Read Genesis 14 and keep notes on it in Doxa's Daily Faith Steps.
In those days Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim
went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).
The latter five came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).
For twelve years they had been subject to Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
In the fourteenth year, Chedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh-kiriathaim,
and the Horites in the area of Mount Seir, as far as El-paran, which is near the desert.
Then they turned back to invade En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who lived in Hazazon-tamar.
Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) marched out and arrayed themselves for battle in the Valley of Siddim
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.
Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some men fell into the pits, but the survivors fled to the hill country.
The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food, and they went on their way.
They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since Lot was living in Sodom.
Then an escapee came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. 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.
Quoted in the Deeper Dive, day 15: Why is Shem named as the father of Eber?
And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan.
During the night, Abram divided his forces and routed Chedorlaomer’s army, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.
He retrieved all the goods, as well as his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the rest of the people.
After Abram returned from defeating Chedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High—
Melchizedek king of Salem, priest of God Most High — type of Christ
“This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,”
Read Hebrews 7:1›Melchizedek king of Salem, priest of God Most High — met Abraham
“This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,”
Read Hebrews 7:1›Without beginning or end — resembling the Son of God, priest forever
“Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.”
Read Hebrews 7:3›Another priest in the likeness of Melchizedek — Christ the eternal priest
“And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,”
Read Hebrews 7:15›Melchizedek — a mysterious king-priest who blessed Abraham with bread and wine. Hebrews reveals this enigmatic figure was foreshadowing Jesus, the eternal priest-king.
“This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,”
Read Hebrews 7:1›and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,
Blessed be Abram by God Most High — Melchizedek blesses Abraham
“This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,”
Read Hebrews 7:1›and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.
Quoted in the Deeper Dive, day 23: How could Abram defeat the kings who crushed everyone else?
The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, but take the goods for yourself.”
But Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,
that I will not accept even a thread, or a strap of a sandal, or anything that belongs to you, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’
Quoted in the Deeper Dive, day 25: Why does God call Himself Abram's shield and reward?
I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share for the men who went with me—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. They may take their portion.”
Read next
How to Hear God’s Voice: A Practical Guide for BelieversScripture is the record of a God who speaks. This guide covers how to hear Him today and keep what He says.Cross-references for Genesis 14
“So Abram moved his tent and went to live near the Oaks of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD.”
“The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.””
“where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
“But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.”
“And this stone I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give You a tenth.””
Cross-references from OpenBible.info, licensed CC BY.
Genesis 14 on Doxa
- Abram Rescues Lot: The Bible's First War (Genesis 14) · Daily Lift, day 23
- Abram the Hebrew: Why 318 Men Went to War (Genesis 14) · Deeper Dive, day 23
- Who Is Melchizedek? The Priest-King Who Blesses Abram (Genesis 14) · Daily Lift, day 24
- Melchizedek and Jesus: The Priesthood That Outranks the Law (Genesis 14) · Deeper Dive, day 24
- Where the Word Hebrew Was Born: Eber and the Divided Earth (Genesis 10) · Quoted in the Deeper Dive, day 15
- Credited as Righteousness: How Abram Was Made Right (Genesis 15) · Quoted in the Deeper Dive, day 25
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