About the Book
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Chapter Analysis
Chapter 14: Abram Rescues Lot
Background History and Timeline: Genesis, traditionally attributed to Moses, was written around the 15th century BCE. It covers events from the creation of the world to the patriarchs of Israel.
Locations Mentioned: The chapter primarily focuses on the region of Canaan and the surrounding areas where Abram and Lot reside.
Themes and Conflicts: Genesis 14 recounts the military campaign of a coalition of kings against Sodom and Gomorrah, resulting in the capture of Lot and his family. It highlights themes of warfare, loyalty, and divine intervention.
Main Characters: Abram (Abraham), Lot, various kings, and Melchizedek are the main characters in this chapter.
Specific Passages:
Genesis 14:14-16: "When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people."
Genesis 14:18-20: "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, 'Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!' And Abram gave him a tenth of everything."
Explanation: Genesis 14 describes how Abram, upon hearing that Lot had been captured during a military campaign, mobilizes his forces and successfully rescues Lot and his family. After the victory, Abram is blessed by Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High.
The chapter highlights Abram's courage and loyalty to his family, as well as God's intervention in the affairs of humanity. It also introduces the enigmatic figure of Melchizedek, who blesses Abram and receives a tithe from him.
Genesis 14 demonstrates Abram's growing influence and prominence in the land of Canaan, as well as his acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and provision.
Moses is traditionally attributed as the author of Genesis, including Chapter 14.
Religious Text
Gen 14:1 In the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal
king of Goiim,
Gen 14:2 these kings made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah,
Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).
Gen 14:3 And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim ( that is, the Salt Sea).
Gen 14:4 Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
Gen 14:5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and defeated the
Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim,
Gen 14:6 and the Horites in their hill country of Seir as far as El-paran on the border of the wilderness.
Gen 14:7 Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh) and defeated all the country of the
Amalekites, and also the Amorites who were dwelling in Hazazon-tamar.
Gen 14:8 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) went out, and they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim
Gen 14:9 with Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of
Ellasar, four kings against five.
Gen 14:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled,
some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country.
Gen 14:11 So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went
their way.
Gen 14:12 They also took Lot, the son of Abram's brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions,
and went their way.
Gen 14:13 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre
the Amo-rite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram.
Gen 14:14 When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his
house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
Gen 14:15 And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and
pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus.
Gen 14:16 Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his
possessions, and the women and the people.
Gen 14:17 After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom
went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).
Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.)
Gen 14:19 And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and
earth;
Gen 14:20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!" And Abram gave
him a tenth of everything.
Gen 14:21 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.”
Gen 14:22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth,
Gen 14:23 that | would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'l have
made Abram rich.’
Gen 14:24 | will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me.
Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”