Genesis Chapter Fourteen · Genesis Chapter Fourteen the left bank of the Euphrates. It is now...

Genesis Chapter Fourteen

Synopsis: We have four things in the story of this chapter. I. A war

with the king of Sodom and his allies, Ge 14:1-11. II. The captivity of

Lot in that war, Ge 14:12. III. Abram's rescue of Lot from that

captivity, with the victory he obtained over the conquerors, Ge 14:13-

16. IV. Abram's return from the expedition, (Ge 14:17), with an

account of what passed, 1. Between him and the king of Salem, Ge

14:18-20. 2. Between him and the king of Sodom, Ge 14:21-24. So

that here we have that promise to Abram in part fulfilled, that God

would make his name great. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Genesis 14:1-4 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of

Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal

king of nations; That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and

with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber

king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar. All these were

joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea. Twelve

years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they

rebelled.

Here we have listed the kings that came against Sodom and

Gomorrah and the Kings and cities that were confederate with them.

Shinar (country of two rivers), the ancient name of the great alluvial

tract through which the Tigris and Euphrates pass before reaching

the sea --the tract known in later times as Chaldaea or Babylonia. It

was a plain country, where brick had to be used for stone and slime

for mortar.

Among the cities were Babel (Babylon), Erech or Orech (Orchoe),

Calneh or Calno (probably Niffer), and Accad, the site of which is

unknown. It may be suspected that Shinar was the name by which

the Hebrews originally knew the lower Mesopotamian country where

they so long dwelt, and which Abraham brought with him from "Ur of

the Chaldees." Smith’s Bible Dictionary

Ellasar (oak), the city of Arioch, seems to be the Hebrew

representative of the old Chaldean town called in the native dialect

Larsa or Larancha. Larsa was a town of lower Babylonia or Chaldea,

situated nearly halfway between Ur (Mugheir) and Erech (Warka), on


the left bank of the Euphrates. It is now Senkereh. Smith’s Bible

Dictionary

The Elam (young man) of Scripture appears to be the province lying

south of Assyria and east of Persia proper, to which Herodotus gives

the name of Cissia (iii. 91, v. 49, etc.), and which is termed Susis or

Susiana by the geographers. Its capital was Susa. This country was

originally peopled by descendants of Shem. By the time of Abraham

a very important power had been built up in the same region. It is

plain that at this early time the predominant power in lower

Mesopotamia was Elam, which for a while held the place possessed

earlier by Babylon, Ge 10:10, and later by either Babylon or Assyria. Smith’s Bible Dictionary

Tidal (great son) (B.C. about 1900.) He is called "king of nations,"

from which we may conclude that he was a chief over various

nomadic tribes who inhabited different portions of Mesopotamia at

different seasons of the year, as do the Arabs at the present day. Smith’s Bible Dictionary

These four kings came against the five kings of the cities of the plain.

It is the first war mentioned in scripture, though there must have been

some other conflicts because the five kings of the cities of the plain

are here stated to be in rebellion against the kings of the

Mesopotamian region. That must mean they were subjugated to

them at some point.

Admah: From a root signifying red; one of the Cities of the Plain

(Ciccar) (Ge 10:19; 14:2,8; De 29:23; Ho 11:8) upon which Abraham

and Lot looked from the heights of Bethel; destroyed with Sodom and

Gomorrah. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Zeboiim (tsebhoyim; the Septuagint uniformly Sebo(e)im; the King

James Version, Zeboim): One of the cities in the Vale of Siddim,

destroyed with Sodom and Gomorrah. It is always mentioned next to

Admah (Ge 10:19; 14:2,8; De 29:23; Ho 11:8). It is not to be

confounded with Zeboim mentioned in 1Sa 13:18 and Ne 11:34. The

site has not been positively identified, but must be determined by the

general questions connected with the Vale of Siddim. International

Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Bela a thing swallowed. A city on the shore of the Dead Sea, not far

from Sodom, called also Zoar. Easton’s Bible Dictionary


Siddim, Vale or valley of the broad plains, "which is the salt sea" (Ge

14:3,8,10), between Engedi and the cities of the plain, at the south

end of the Dead Sea. It was "full of slime-pits" (R.V., "bitumen pits"). Easton’s Bible Dictionary

Chedorlaomer (roundness of a sheaf)(= Khudur-Lagamar of the

inscriptions), king of Elam. Many centuries before the age of

Abraham, Canaan and even the Sinaitic peninsula had been

conquered by Babylonian kings, and in the time of Abraham himself

Babylonia was ruled by a dynasty which claimed sovereignity over

Syria and Palestine. The kings of the dynasty bore names which were

not Babylonian, but at once South Arabic and Hebrew. The most

famous king of the dynasty was Khammu-rabi, who united Babylonia

under one rule, and made Babylon its capital. When he ascended the

throne, the country was under the suzerainty of the Elamites, and

was divided into two kingdoms, that of Babylon (the Biblical Shinar)

and that of Larsa (the Biblical Ellasar). The king of Larsa was Eri-Aku

("the servant of the moon-god"), the son of an Elamite prince, Kudur-

Mabug, who is entitled "the father of the land of the Amorites." A

recently discovered tablet enumerates among the enemies of

Khammu-rabi, Kudur-Lagamar ("the servant of the goddess

Lagamar") or Chedorlaomer, Eri-Aku or Arioch, and Tudkhula or

Tidal. Khammu-rabi, whose name is also read Ammi-rapaltu or

Amraphel by some scholars, succeeded in overcoming Eri-Aku and

driving the Elamites out of Babylonia. Assur-bani-pal, the last of the

Assyrian conquerors, mentions in two inscriptions that he took Susa

1635 years after Kedor-nakhunta, king of Elam, had conquered

Babylonia. Easton’s Bible Dictionary

When these men and their armies came down against Sodom and

Gomorrah, they must have passed close by the tent of Abram. From

where he was, he could stand and see any movement down toward

the Dead Sea, and from his vantage point in the higher plains, he

must have seen them coming, and could easily have observe the

battle.

Genesis 14:5-12 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer,

and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in

Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh


Kiriathaim, And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which

is by the wilderness. And they returned, and came to Enmishpat,

which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and

also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar. And there went out the

king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and

the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they

joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim; With Chedorlaomer the

king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of

Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five. And the vale

of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and

Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the

mountain. And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and

all their victuals, and went their way. And they took Lot, Abram's

brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

In the fourteenth year - After some pause and preparation,

Chedorlaomer, in conjunction with his allies, set himself to reduce the

revolters. See note at "ver. 1" (For [1.], [2.]) [3.] The progress of the

war. The four kings laid the neighbouring countries waste, and

enriched themselves with the spoil of them, ver. 5, 6, 7. Upon the

alarm of which, the king of Sodom and his allies went out and were

routed. John Wesley’s Notes on the Bible

This is a historical writing and these are real kings and kingdoms that

are participants in a real war, not some myth or fable made up by

someone. There is physical evidence of the men and cities

mentioned here, thus proving the veracity of the Scripture. These

writings in the Book of Genesis are not parables or allegories. Abram

was a real person and so was Lot, his nephew. This is real

unvarnished history—not the made up, revised history we sometimes

encounter in the modern educational system. I believe Moses wrote

the book of Genesis. He was not alive when these things happened,

but God was, and He delivered these things to Moses by His Holy

Spirit. Not only does God refuse to lie, He cannot lie (Titus 1:2). I am

certain there was also passed down to Moses many writings,

carefully composed and maintained, that were the history of God’s

people. I believe, early on, God gave His people the ability to write

and compose their language, and those writings were largely


historical in nature. There was genealogy—family records, births and

deaths, but there was the story of the people that was also passed

down. The story is accurate because it is told through these writings,

but it is inspired by Almighty God.

Genesis 14:13-17 And there came one that had escaped, and told

Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite,

brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate

with Abram. And when Abram heard that his brother was taken

captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three

hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. And he divided

himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them,

and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of

Damascus. And he brought back all the goods, and also brought

again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the

people. And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return

from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with

him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.

I am sure Abram was very concerned about the welfare of his

nephew Lot and his family, and when someone came to him, who

had escaped the battle, he anxiously listened to the news. When he

discovered of that person that Lot had been taken captive, he did not

hesitate. He formed a confederacy of his friends and armed his

servants, who he had trained for battle, and went in pursuit of the

kings of Mesopotamia. These passage show that Abram was,

indeed, a very wealthy man, because he had 318 men he could put in

the field as soldiers. That does not include the women and children

servants he had. It also shows he was an influential, well respected

man, because his friends were willing to go with him and help him.

The Scripture says Abram dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite.

God had promised to give all this land to Abram, but, for now, he was

living on property claimed by an Amorite.

Abram pursued the enemy and divided his forces against them, and

attacked them by night. This reveals that Abram was not only a very

successful rancher, but he was a very capable general and military

strategist. The superior force of the enemy was routed by his


maneuvers, and he was able to recover all the captives and the booty

taken by them. When the battle was over, the king of Sodom came

and of the kings that were with him, to meet Abram as a lesser

goes to meet a greater.

Genesis 14:18-20 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth

bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he

blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God,

possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God,

which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him

tithes of all.

Dr. J. Vernon McGee (Through the Bible) has said this chapter is one of

the most important chapters in Scripture. The appearance of this

man, Melchizedek, is the reason for that. Here we see him suddenly

walk onto the pages of scripture and just as abruptly walk out. Dr.

Gary Hedrick (Messianic Perspectives) says the secrets of the Old

Testament are revealed in the New Testament. The questions here

are: who is this man, and where did he come from? He is only

mentioned one other time in the Old Testament in what is considered

by most as a Messianic Psalm. Psalms 110:4 The LORD hath

sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the

order of Melchizedek. But in the New Testament he is mentioned

several times, and is described as a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I believe that is he was, the pre-incarnate Christ. That is the answer

for who he was, and, as to the other question, the answer is given in

the New Testament by the Lord Himself: John 8:42 Jesus said unto

them, ….. I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I

of myself, but he sent me. This would apply to His appearing

anywhere and at anytime.

Hebrews 7:1-7 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the

most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter

of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a

tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of

righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King

of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent,

having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like


unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. Now consider

how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham

gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons

of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a

commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law,

that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of

Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them

received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the

promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of

the better.

All the descriptions of this man testify that he is Christ. Because we

know that no one has seen God at any time, though some have seen

His similitude: John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the

only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath

declared him. (1John 4:12)

Exodus 33:20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for

there shall no man see me, and live.

Deuteronomy 4:12 And the LORD spake unto you out of the

midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no

similitude; only ye heard a voice.

Numbers 12:8 With him (Moses) will I speak mouth to mouth,

even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of

the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to

speak against my servant Moses?

God can only be seen in Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:15 Who is the

image of the invisible God, …..

John 10:30 I and my Father are one.

The bread and the wine that were brought forth by this man testify of

the Lord Jesus. Matthew 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus

took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the

disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

Luke 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup

is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Jesus is now our High Priest. Hebrews 5:10 Called of God an high

priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 4:14-15 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us


hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which

cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in

all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Nothing is said about his family, and Genesis is about families. In the

book of Hebrews the writer says he is King of righteousness, and

after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without

father, without mother, without descent, having neither

beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of

God. The word Melchisedec means King of Justice or, as the writer

says, King of Rightiousness. I reckon there is only one of those, the

Alpha and Omega, Jesus Christ.

This man, Melchisedec, blesses the patriarch Abram, and without all

contradiction the less is blessed of the better, and Abram gave

him tithes of all, and though this appearance was many centuries

ago, we, as Christians, are still living under the influence of

Melchisedec to this very day. I think, perhaps, Abram will encounter

this man again in a subsequent chapter.

Genesis 14:21-24 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give

me the persons, and take the goods to thyself. And Abram said to the

king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high

God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a

thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is

thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: Save only that

which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which

went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.

Now, we see, though Abram had received the bread and wine and

the blessing from Mechisedec, he was not about to accept any

reward from the King of Sodom. He said he had promised God he

would not take anything, and he was keeping that promise. Certainly,

this pagan king would have boasted that he had made Abram rich if

he had taken anything from him, therefore, he would take nothing

except what the soldiers had eaten and a portion for his three friends.

One of those friends was the owner of the high plains where Abram

then dwelt, Mamre the Amorite.


Abraham and Lot separate and the location of Sodom


Map showing the probable meeting place of Abram and

Melchizedek

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