Genesis 14
World English Bible
WEB1In 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 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.”
World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org
Overview
Genesis Chapter 14 recounts a significant event in the life of Abram (later known as Abraham) involving a conflict between several kings. The chapter begins with a war among kings in the region, where King Chedorlaomer of Elam and his allies defeat the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, taking captives and plundering their goods. Among those captured is Lot, Abram's nephew, which prompts Abram to take action. This narrative highlights Abram's bravery and loyalty as he gathers 318 trained men from his household to rescue Lot, demonstrating his leadership and commitment to family.
Abram's successful rescue of Lot leads him to encounter Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High. Melchizedek blesses Abram and offers him bread and wine, symbolizing a divine communion. In response, Abram gives Melchizedek a tithe of all the spoils, recognizing his priestly authority. This encounter establishes Melchizedek as a significant figure in biblical history, foreshadowing the priesthood of Christ as described in Hebrews 7. The chapter concludes with Abram refusing to take any reward from the king of Sodom, emphasizing his reliance on God for provision rather than earthly riches. This act of faith reinforces the theme of divine blessing and the importance of integrity in the life of a believer.
Overall, Genesis 14 illustrates themes of faith, loyalty, and divine providence, showcasing Abram's character and the early establishment of God's covenant people. #Abram #Lot #Melchizedek #Covenant #Faith
Referenced by
- Exodus 18:12v18Exodus 18:12 describes Jethro offering sacrifices to God, similar to Melchizedek's offering in Genesis 14:18-20, both acknowledging God's sovereignty and blessing.
- Judges 5:24v19Judges 5:24 blesses Jael among women for her role in defeating Sisera, similar to Genesis 14:19 where Melchizedek blesses Abram for his victory.
- Hebrews 5:10v18Hebrews 5:10 mentions Jesus being designated by God as a high priest in the order of Melchizedek, which connects to Genesis 14:18-20 where Melchizedek, king of Salem, is introduced as a priest of God Most High.
- Hebrews 7:1-2v18Hebrews 7:1-2 refers to Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, who met Abraham and blessed him. This event is originally described in Genesis 14:18-20, establishing Melchizedek as a type of Christ, a priestly figure who predates the Levitical priesthood.
Topics in this chapter
- Melchizedek
- Priesthood
- Faith
- Abram
- Covenant
- Integrity
- Provision
- Blessing
- Lot
- Sovereignty of God
- Tithing
- Abraham
- Courage
- Divine Intervention
- Eucharist
- Faithfulness
- Gratitude
- Offering
- Reliance on God
- Righteousness
- Sodom
- Stewardship
- Tithe
- Trust
- Trusting God
- Allegiance
- Babylon
- Battle
- Battle of Kings
- Bread and Wine
- Canaan
- Captivity
- Christ
- Christ Foreshadowed
- Christ's Priesthood
- Christology
- Conflict
- Detachment
- El Elyon
- Family
- Family Loyalty
- Foreshadowing in the Bible
- Generosity
- God Most High
- Gomorrah
- Heavenly Vision
- Hebron
- Heroism
- Honor
- Human Rebellion
- Judgment
- King
- King of Righteousness
- King of Sodom
- Loyalty
- Nephew
- Patriarchs
- Priest
- Priest-King
- Rescue
- Salem
- Shinar
- Theology
- Valley of Siddim
- Values in the Bible
- Wealth
- Worship
Related chapters
- Hebrews 7Christ's PriesthoodKing of RighteousnessMelchizedek
- Psalms 110Priest-KingMelchizedekTheology
- Hebrews 5Priest-KingMelchizedekSalem
- Genesis 19GomorrahDetachmentSodom
- Genesis 13AbramSodomLot
- Hebrews 6MelchizedekSalemAbraham
- Hebrews 11AbrahamCanaan
- Malachi 3TitheTithingOffering
- Genesis 12AbramAbrahamPatriarchs
- Leviticus 27TithingPriesthoodGenerosity
- Genesis 18SodomAbrahamPatriarchs
- Romans 4AbrahamCanaan
Your study
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