14
- 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, Gen. 10:10; Gen. 11:2
Amraphel, (H569): אמרפל: ‘amrâphel
BDB Definition: Amraphel = “sayer of darkness: fall of the sayer”
1) the king of Shinar (Babylon) (perhaps Hammurabi approximately 2100 BC)
Shinar, (H8152): שׁנער: shin‛âr BDB Definition: Shinar = “country of two rivers”
1) the ancient name for the territory later known as Babylonia or Chalde
Arioch,(H746):אריוך: ‘ăryôk
BDB Definition: Arioch = “lion-like”
1) the ancient king of Ellasar, ally of Chedorlaomer
2) the chief of the executioners for Nebuchadnezzar
Ellasar(H495):אלּסר: ‘ellâsâr BDB Definition: Ellasar = “God is chastener”
1) a town in Babylonia, approximately 28 miles (50 kilometers) E of Ur
Chedorlaomer, (H3540): כּדרלעמר: kedorlâ‛ômer
BDB Definition: Chedorlaomer = “handful of sheaves”
1) the king of Elam defeated by Abraham
Elam,(H5867):עולם / עילם: ‛êylâm / ‛ôlâm
BDB DEfinition: Elam = “eternity”:a province east of Babylon and northeast of the lower Tigris (noun proper locative)
Tidal (H8413): תּדעל: tid‛âl
BDB Definition:Tidal = “great son”
1) chief of various nomadic tribes and an ally of Chedorlaomer
Nations, (H1471):גּי / גּו : gôy
BDB Definition:
1) nation, people (noun masculine)
1a) nation, people
1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people
1a2) of descendants of Abraham
1a3) of Israel
1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (figuratively)
1c) Goyim? = “nations” (noun proper masculine)
2. that they 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).Deut. 29:23
Bera, (H1298): בּרע: bera‛
BDB Definition: Bera = “son of evil”
1) a king of Sodom
Sodom,(H5467): Sodom = “burning”
1) a Canaanite city, usually paired with Gomorrah, located in the area of the Dead Sea and the Jordan river; both cities destroyed by God in judgment
Birsha, (H1306):בּרשׁע : birsha‛
BDB Definition: Birsha = “with iniquity”
1) a king of Gomorrah
Gomorrah,(H6017):BDB Definition:
Gomorrah = “submersion”
1) the twin-city in evil with Sodom, both destroyed in judgment by God with fire from heaven
1a) of iniquity (figuratively)
Shinab, (H8134):שׁנאב: shin’âb
BDB Definition: Shinab = “splendour of the father”
1) the king of Admah in the time of Abraham
Admah,(H126):אדמה: ‘admâh BDB Definition: Admah = “red earth”
1) city in the Siddim valley
Shemeber, (H8038): שׁמאבר: shem’êber
BDB Definition: Shemeber = “lofty flight”
1) king of Zeboim and an ally of the king of Sodom
Zeboiim,(H6636):צביּם / צביּים / צבאים: tsebô’ı̂ym / tsebı̂yı̂ym / tsebı̂yim
BDB Definition: Zeboim or Zeboiim = “gazelles”
1) one of the 5 cities in the plain which included Sodom and Gomorrah
(that is, Zoar)
Zoar, (H6820): צער: tsô‛ar BDB Definition: Zoar = “insignificance”
1) a city at the southeast end of the Dead Sea grouped with Sodom and Gomorrah as being one of the 5 cities slated for destruction by God; spared at Lot’s plea as his place of refuge
3. All these joined together in the valley of Siddim (that is,
the salt sea).
Valley of Siddim (H6010 and H7708): BDB Definition:
1) valley, vale, lowland, open country
BDB Definition: Siddim = “field” or “plain”
1) valley where the Dead Sea is located
4. Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the
thirteenth year they rebelled.
After careful research of maps that show the locations of
all these kings (I have these maps saved in my map files)
I have discovered that this is the first time in bible history
where we see the kings of the north invade and do battle
with the kings of the south (as we see mentioned in Daniel
11). However these kings in Genesis fourteen have no
correlation with those mentioned in the book of Daniel. I
just found it worthy to mention. It appears to me that these four kings of the north (Chedorlaomer being the leader of them all, and these are
also the descendants of Shem, son of Noah) were rulers
over the five kings of the south (which are the descendants
of Ham who is also a son of Noah), for a period of twelve
years which was prophesied (Gen 9:20-27), that the sons of Ham would serve the sons of Shem. In the thirteenth year the kings of the south rebelled against the kings of the kings of the north. This rebellion
went on for a period of one year until King Chedorlaomer
put together an army big enough to invade the south and
Squash the rebellion. As we will see in the following verses 0f Five through verse 12:
5. In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings that
were with him came and attacked the Rephaim in Ashteroth
Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh
Kirathaim,
Rephaim, (H7497): רפה / רפא: râphâ’ / râphâh
BDB Definition:
1) giants, Rephaim
1a) old tribe of giants
Ashteroth Karnaim, (H6255): עשׁתּרת קרנים: ‛ashterôth qarnayim
BDB Definition: Ashtoreth-karnaim = “Ashtoreth of the two horns or peaks”
1) a city in Bashan east of the Jordan given to Manasseh
Zuzim, (H2104): זוּזים”: zûzı̂ym
BDB Definition: Zuzim = “roving creatures”
1) an ancient people of uncertain origin, perhaps, inhabitants of ancient Ammon east of the Jordan
Ham, (H1990): הם: hâm
BDB Definition: Ham = “hot” or “sun burnt”
1) the place where Chedorlaomer and his allies smote the Zuzim, probably in the territory of the Ammonites, east of the Jordan; site uncertain
Emim, (H368): אימים: êymı̂ym
BDB Definition: Emims = “terrors”
1) ancient inhabitants of Moab
Shaveh Kirathaim, (H7741): שׁוה קריתים: shâvêh qiryâthayim BDB Definition: Shaveh Kiriathaim = “plain of the double or two city”
1) the place attacked by Chedorlaomer
6. And the Horites in their mountain of Seir, as far as El Paran, whichis by the wilderness. Deut. 2:10-22
Horites, (H2752): חרי: chôrı̂y
BDB Definition: Horite = “cave dweller”
1) the inhabitants of Mount Seir
2) the inhabitants of Edom (in later times)
Seir, (H8165): שׂעיר: śê‛ı̂yr
BDB Definition: Seir = “hairy” or “shaggy”
1) patriarch of the Horites, the inhabitants of Edom before the descendants of Esau, the Edomites (noun proper masculine)
2) the land of Edom, south of the Dead Sea (noun proper territorial)
3) a mountain range in Edom extending from the Dead Sea to the Elanitic Gulf (noun proper mountain)
3a) apparently also called ‘Mount Seir’ and extending most of the distance of the mountain range itself
4) a mountain in northern Judah lying westward from Kirjath-jearim (noun proper mountain)
El Paran: (H364): איל פּארן: ‘êyl pâ’rân
BDB Definition: El-paran = “palm of Paran”
1) town and harbour at tip of Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea
7. Then they turned back and came to En Mishpat (that is
Kadesh), and attacked all the country of the Amalekites,
and also the Amorites who dwelt in Hazezon Tamar.
Kadesh, (H6946): קדשׁ: qâdêsh
BDB Definition: Kadesh = “holy”
1) a city in the extreme south of Judah
1a) same as ‘Kedesh’ and ‘Kadesh-barnea’
Amalekites, (H6003): עמלקי: ‛ămâlêqı̂y
BDB Definition: Amalekite = see Amalek “people of lapping”
1) descendants of Amalek, the grandson of Esau
I had to do some meditation on this verse because it
mentions the Amalekites. I first thought “How could
they attack the Amalekites if these people were the
descendants of Amalek, who was the great great grandson
of Abraham?” Obviously the Amalekites as a people did
not exist at this time. So read the verse a few times and it
became clear; The verse doesn’t say that they attacked the
Amalekites, but instead it says they attacked the country
of the Amalekites. I then remembered who was writing
this book of Genesis (Moses) and who was telling Moses
the story (God) So I then deduced that the reason God
mentioned the Amalekites to Moses in the revealing of
this story was so as to help Moses understand the location
of En-Mishpat, which would explain why we see
in parentheses (that is Kadesh) if we go to Deuteronomy
chapter two we can see why it is important that Moses
know this area (Deut 2:2-5). This helps Moses in knowing what lands he cannot possess, And why he can’t possess them.
Amorites, (H567):אמרי: ‘ĕmôrı̂y
BDB Definition: Amorite = “a sayer”
1) one of the peoples of east Canaan and beyond the Jordan, dispossessed by the Israelite incursion from Egypt
Hazezon Tamar, (H2688): חצצן תּמר / חצצון תּמר: chatstsôn tâmâr / chatsătsôn tâmâr BDB Definition: Hazezon-tamar = “dividing the date-palm”
1) an Amorite city
2) a town situated in the desert Judah; probably Engedi
3) maybe the ‘Tamar’ of Solomon’s day
8. And 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 joined together in battle in the valley
of Siddim
9. Against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of
nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of
Ellasar-four kings against five.
So, during this rebellion, before the great battle in the
valley of Siddim, the kings of the north had to march
through hostile territories of the northern parts of what was
then known as the land of Canaan. However, the kings of
the north stayed on the eastern side of the Jordan river as
they marched south towards Sodom and Gomorrah. It
wasn’t until they were way south of the dead sea, at the gulf
of Aqaba, fighting the Horites in the area known as Mt. Sier
beyond the Jordan river. Then they moved west to head
back up north and attacked all the country of the
Amalekites in and around Kadesh- Barnea up to the north
and west of the Jordan river. The Amorites (who are
descendants of Canaan) who dwelt in the land of Hazezon
Tamar (also known as Engedi), located southwest of the
dead sea were also attacked by king Chedorlaomer. Once
all the (what I call minor kingdoms of Sodom and
Gomorrah) were defeated King Chedorlaomer and his allies
could attack Sodom and Gomorrah and the other three
major kingdoms.
10. Now the valley of Siddim was full of asphalt pits; and the
kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled; some fell there, and the
remainder fled to the mountains. Gen. 11:3; Gen. 19:24
The asphalt pits here are described differently in other
bible translations. They are also described as slime-pits, tar
pits or even bitumen pits. They all basically mean the same
thing. my take on this is that both sides had to fight in this
rough terrain, but for whatever reason, whether the kings
of the north had a better strategic location in which the
battle started or they were just a stronger force, we don’t
know. What we do know is that the kings of Sodom and
Gomorrah were overwhelmed, and in their haste, during
their retreat, many of the southern forces fell into these
pits and were destroyed while others were killed in the
battle itself. Those that survived fled to the mountains
including the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah.
11. Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah,
and all their provisions, and went their way. Gen. 14: 16
12. They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in
Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
As the saying goes “to the victor goes the spoils of war”
this rings true in this war. After the kings of the north
(also known as the kings of Mesopotamia) defeated these
kings of the south, they took not only all their material
wealth but also the people (as slaves no doubt and the
women to defile). Lot, because of the choice he made
when he departed from Abram is now paying the
consequences of that decision. Not only did Lot leave
from the protection of Abrams’ bosom but he also lost the
protection of God himself. However, as we will see in the
next few verses and those in chapter eighteen, Lot has still
found favor in Gods eyes and is rescued from his own vices
through Abram’s intervention.
13. Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the
Hebrew, for he dwelt by the Terebinth trees of Mamre the
Amorite, brother of Eschol and brother of Aner; and they
wereallies with Abram.
This is the first time that the word Hebrew appears in the
Bible. I take this verse as to also indicate that Abram was
already known as a Hebrew by the people of Canaan.
If we go to my file, or the Strong s definition we find that
The word Hebrew is a derivative of Eber, son of Salah, who
himself was the great grandson of Shem. Abram at the time
still lived by the terebinth trees (which is where he built an
altar to the Lord). Abram had made peace with the people
of this land which included three brothers (Mamre, Eschol,
and Aner).
14. Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken
captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained
servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit
as far as Dan.
As far as Abram was concerned, Lot was his brother (not
just a nephew). Approximately four hundred years removed
from the flood and we see that War was already in mans
heart. Abram himself: though a peaceful man, had to have
men from his tribe trained in the (I hate to use the term art
of warfare) it seems so oxymoron, that is to say, so opposite
of what war is in reality. There is no art to war: people die
sometimes in a most grotesque and painful way. I don’t
know who coined this term, but it must have been someone
who had no regard for human life, but I digress, in Order for Abram and his tribe to survive they had to defend themselves when necessary.
So Abram, along with his allies and his trained servants pursued the kings of the north, as far north as the land of Dan. Abram was not going to allow Lot to be enslaved and persecuted, if he had anything to say about it. Abram caught up with them in the place called Dan. According to my maps and a Google search this is approximately 164-175 mile journey. A total of a little over two days to travel this far.
15. He divided his forces against them by night, and he
attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is
north of Damascus.
Abram didn’t just attack right away. He developed a
strategy, and attacked them in the cover of darkness. This
must have been a great strategy because we are told that he
pursued them north of Damascus. The kings of the north
were so caught by surprise that they never had a chance to
regroup and counter-attack, (of course it doesn’t hurt to have
God on your side).
16. So he brought back all the goods, and also brought
back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women
and the people.
After this battle Abram brought back all the Goods, his
brother Lot, and all the people that were taken by the kings
of the north. It’s a good thing to note here that Abram did
not plunder the possessions or people of the kings of the
north. He only took what the kings of the north had stolen
from the kings of the south. This shows a character that is
being developed in Abram. I believe that Abram is not
going to rely on his own abilities to gain in riches and land.
He is learning to trust in God for his needs. I also feel that
Abram is the kind of man who is very content with what he
has, and is not influenced by the ways of the world. This in
turn is what the Lord delights in.
17. And the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the
valley of Shaveh (that is, the king’s valley). After his return
from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were
with him. Heb 7:1
In verse ten of this chapter we are told that the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled from the Valley of Siddim of the asphalt pits in retreat from the battle and fled to the mountains, along with others, from King Chedorlaomer and his allies. the King of Sodom along with all the other kings came out greet Abram at the valley of Shaveh, also known as “The Kings Valley.” The king of Sodom seems to be the only person who came out to speak to Abram on behalf of the other kings, as there is no mention of them saying anything to Abram.
18. Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread
and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.
(H4442) malkı̂ẏtsedeq
BDB Definition:
Melchizedek = “my king is Sedek”
1) king of Salem and priest of the Most High God to whom Abram paid tithe after the battle he fought to free Lot; ‘the order of Melchizedek’ the order of the priesthood to which Christ belongs.
Salem (H8004): שׁלם: shâlêm
BDB Definition: Salem = “peace”
1) the place of which Melchizedek was king
1a) most Jewish commentators affirm that it is the same as Jerusalem
(Compare Heb 7:1-7) There is much to be said of Melchizedek and the comparison between him and our Lord Jesus Christ. Melchizedek is described as the king of Salem and was priest of the Most High God. Strong’s(H4442). King David (Inspired by the spirit of God), proclaimed that God swore and oath and would no relent that the Lord Jesus Christ to also be a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Ps. 110:4 ), the book of Hebrews gives us more detail about Melchizedek and his ties to Jesus Christ; In Hebrews 7:3 it is written that he (Melchizedek), is without mother or father or having any genealogy to trace his roots, not having any record of the beginning of nor the end of life; who is like the Son of God and will be a priest. This could be none other than Jesus Christ, yet known as this Melchizedek then, because it was not yet time to reveal the Lord Jesus Christ to the world. It is very interesting that Melchizedek brought wine and crackers when he came out to meet Abraham. for these are the symbols of the New Covenant that Jesus Instilled on the Passover night of His arrest and sacrifice the next day. Jesus said this bread is my body, take eat, this is my body (Matt. 26:26; Mark. 14:22; Luke. 22:19), Then Jesus took the wine and said, drink this cup for it is my blood for the remission of sins (Matt. 26: 27-28; Mark. 14:23; Luke. 22:20). What the law of the flesh could not do was give eternal life but death, but the body and blood of Christ in the flesh gives us eternal life (Rom. 8:1-6). So, why did Melchizedek brung wine and crackers to Abram after he returned from battle to rescue his nephew lot? I can only give my opinion on this matter, for there is no scriptures to explain why the wine and crackers, and the commentaries I read are basically silent on the correlation this event had to do with the New Covenant. My pastor however pointed to Acts chapter three verse eighteen which actually pointed me in the direction I wanted to go and gave me a springboard in which to work. (Acts. 3:18). again, this is my opinion and the reader can take it for what it’s worth: So Abram just came back from battle, probably a very brutal battle in the way in which warfare was fought back then. Many people died horrible deaths that night. Abram, A man and friend of God, the father of the faithful, knew of the laws of God. God Himself said the Abram kept His charge, statutes and His laws (Gen. 26:5), Abram knew, thou shall not kill ! and many died that day maybe even by his own hand. When Abram returned, guilt may have been eating him alive for what he had done, and for leading other men to kill as well. Only God knows what was going through his mind and how he felt for the evil he was a part of that day. So He sends Melchizedek, whom I have already pointed out above that he is Jesus Christ, to comfort Abram and show him his redemption and salvation for the remission of his sins. itis written that Abram saw the promise from afar off, yet not ever obtaining it during his lifetime. Were the wine and crackers showing Abram the promise at that moment, and he saw Melchizedek for who he really was? (Heb. 11:13; Acts. 3:18), I must STOP FOR A MOMENT. As I was writing this, my playlist started playing ever so lightly, “Knocking on heavens door”, and I thought, “Was that what Abram was thinking then?” this isn’t the first time where I felt God’s presence, thru His spirit, working in me and it’s such a wonderful feeling. God was showing Abram that his sins are forgiven.
19. And he blessed him and said:
“Blessed be Abram of God
Most High. Heb: 7:1-7
Possessor of heaven and
earth; Gen. 14:22
Melchizedek is, was and is to come, priest of the Most High. The pre-incarnate Jesus Christ. After the bread and wine Melchizedek blesses Abram from the Most High God possessor of heaven and earth, who called him out of the country where he came from, to a land that the Lord would show him, and bless him, bless those who bless him, curse those who curse him, and through him all nations of the earth would be blessed. (Gen. 12:1-3). Abram was known to be a prince among God by the Hittites (Gen. 23:6), They called him “My lord” acknowledging him to be higher among them. Even so it was Melchizedek who blessed Abram for lesser is always blessed by the higher power Being the higher of the two Abram is blessed by the higher authority (Heb. 7:7 ).
20. And blessed be God Most
High,
Who has delivered your
enemies into your hand”
And he gave him a tenth of all. Heb. 7:2
Melchizedek lets it be known to Abram that it was the Most High God who gave him this victory over his enemies. In honoring and acknowledging God, and recognizing That it was He who gave him the victory Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth (tithe) from all the spoils, recognizing that Melchizedek was of a higher authority than he(Gen. 7:7) . Abram had to have known about tithing in order to know how much to give, which is a tenth. He had to have learned this from God Himself in some way shape or form. God Himself told Isaac that his father Abraham obeyed His voice, His commandments, statutes and laws. (Genesis 26:5) This tells me that the laws of Moses was in effect way before The Lord gave them to him and the Israelites while in the wilderness. The law of tithing stipulated that the tribe of Levi, beginning with Aaron who was a Levite, and his descendants afterwards would be the priests of the Lord God most high, for the people of Israel. and all tithes from the people of Israel would go to the tribe of Levi as a heave-offering unto Jehovah. For they did not receive any land inheritance (Num. 18:19-26), emphasis on verses 24 and 26. yet This Melchizedek (who was not a Levite), for Levi himself was not yet born as well as the nation of Israel; would receive a tithe from Abram. Jesus Christ Himself also was not of the levites but of the tribe of Judah whom Moses never spoke of. King David spoke of Christ as coming from the order of Melchizedek, sworn an oath by God Himself who said He would not repent (Ps. 110:4) Read all of Hebrews (7:1-28) to get a clearer picture of this Melchizedek in relation to Jesus Christ. I could explain it no better than Paul does in Hebrews.
.
21. Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the
persons, and take the goods for yourself.”
Unlike Melchizedek, The king of Sodom came to Abram in
an almost demanding tone: “Give me” as if Abram is his
servant and must do as the king demands. The king didn’t
bring any kind of offering to Abram to show his
appreciation for what Abram has done, (which I believe
would have been customary during this time). The king of
Sodom does not even recognize the God of Abram to whom
Abram’s victory would not have been possible. I believe that
one of the reasons the king ask for only his people and
not the goods Abram brought back is, number one to keep
his kingdom established: for without people to rule over
there is no kingdom. Number two, what good is a kingdom
of riches if you have no one to flaunt it over so as to have
rulership over them. And number three, with him having
the persons, he could exploit them to help build his
kingdom back up and also to say to the people: “Look! It
was I who delivered you from your captivity and sent out
Abram to free you. Now this is my own personal belief, and
there is nothing scriptural about my take on the kings
actions. I just try to put myself in the kings shoes, knowing
scripturally that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were a
wicked and evil society which was a reflection of the men
that were rulers over them.
22. But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised
my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of
heaven and earth , Gen. 14:19
23. “that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap,
and that I will not take anything thatis yours, Lest you should
say, “I have made Abram rich”- 2 Kin. 5:16
24. “except only what the young men have eaten, and the
portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and
Mamre; let them take their portion.”
Abram is making it very clear to the king of Sodom that it
was by the power of God the creator, and ruler, of both the
heavens above, and the earth below who Abram holds his
allegiance (if you will), to. Abram will not let the king share
or steal the glory from God for his victory. Abram is saying
to him, “you will not boast in my riches, for my blessings
come from above and none other. God does not share his
throne with anyone (Exo 20:1-3, Isa 42:8). The last thing Abram tells the king of Sodom is that the only thing his people and those that helped Abram will take is the food which sustained them on their journey. Abram finishes by saying that the leaders: Aner, Eschol, and Mamre can take their portion if they so desire, that is up to them.
We see in these verses the maturity in Abram when it comes to his relationship with God. Abram has learned to trust in God in the trials of life that come to him. Unlike the time of the famine when he hastily went into Egypt instead of trusting in Gods promise that the land he lived in would be his and his descendants forever. Even though we are not told of this aspect of Abram’s thinking, I believe that Abram has developed a faith in God; that He will protect him when he goes out to fight against the kings of the north. I say this because what we are told is that Abrams men only number three hundred and eighteen men of his own house (see vs. 14 in this chapter) plus his friends Aner, Eschol and Mamre. Undoubtedly the kings of the north had a great army in order to accomplish all that they had done. I believe Abram knew he was outnumbered greatly but I also believe that Abram’s faith in God gave him the strength and courage he needed to carry out this task. Our faith in God should be this strong whenever we are faced with the trials that we all go through in life.