The Bible — World English Bible

Genesis 14

In brief

Genesis 14 is the first war story in the Bible. A coalition of kings defeats the kings of the plain, including the king of Sodom, and carries Lot off into captivity. Abram gathers his men, pursues the victors and brings back Lot and the goods. On his return, two kings come to meet him: Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, who blesses him with bread and wine and receives a tithe from him, and the king of Sodom, from whom Abram refuses to take the slightest spoils.

The chapter in 4 parts

  1. v. 1-12The war of the kings and the capture of Lot
  2. v. 13-16Abram pursues the victors and rescues Lot
  3. v. 17-20Melchizedek blesses Abram, who gives a tithe
  4. v. 21-24Refusing the spoils offered by the king of Sodom

1In 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 came, and the kings who were with him, 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.”

Key verses

Verse 14
When 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.

On learning that Lot is a prisoner, Abram mobilizes his servants and sets out to find him. Family is a reason to stand up, even when the price is high.

Verse 18-19
Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High. He blessed him, and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth.

Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, brings bread and wine and blesses Abram. The New Testament sees in him a picture of Christ, king and priest (Hebrews 7).

Verse 20
Blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave him a tenth of all.

Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth of everything, long before the law of Moses. Christians draw different conclusions about tithing today: some see a model, others a simple example of gratitude.

Verse 22-23
Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted up my hand to Yahweh, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take a thread nor a sandal strap nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’

Abram refuses to take anything from the king of Sodom so that no one can say that king made him rich. He wants his wealth to come from God alone.

Characters in this chapter

What the sermons say

Frequently asked questions about Genesis 14

Who is Melchizedek in Genesis 14?

Melchizedek is the king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He appears briefly to bless Abram with bread and wine. Psalm 110 and the letter to the Hebrews make him a picture of Jesus Christ, both king and priest. The text does not give his origin, which has fed many interpretations.

Does Genesis 14:20 prove that tithing is mandatory?

Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth of everything, long before the law of Moses. For some Christians, this is a permanent principle. For others, it is a spontaneous gesture of gratitude that creates no obligation. The text itself gives no command: it describes what Abram does.

Why does Abram refuse the spoils of the king of Sodom?

Abram says he has raised his hand to the Lord and does not want to take anything that could lead people to say the king of Sodom made him rich. He wants God to be the source of his prosperity. The refusal protects his witness and his freedom, while still letting his allies take their share.

Articles quoting Genesis 14

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World English Bible translation — public domain.