Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 14:11

And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.

11. they took ] The subject is abruptly transferred to the victorious army. The account of the fall of the towns is omitted.

Sodom and Gomorrah ] Mentioned perhaps as the chief towns; the three others are passed over in silence. The victorious troops did not wait; but after inflicting punishment hurried off, like a predatory horde, with their booty.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Verse 11. They took all the goods, c.] This was a predatory war, such as the Arabs carry on to the present day they pillage a city, town, or caravan; and then escape with the booty to the wilderness, where it would ever be unsafe, and often impossible, to pursue them.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah,…. They entered these cities and pillaged them, and carried off everything valuable in them, that was portable or could be driven, as their cattle, c. they did not burn these cities, nor take possession of them, and leave garrisons in them, which shows them to be petty princes that came for plunder, and to get an equivalent for nonpayment of tribute to one of them:

and all their victuals, and went away all the meat and drink they could light of, with which they refreshed their troops, and then departed.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

11. All the goods All property of the Sodomites that they could lay hands on and remove .

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

‘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.’

The mention of victuals is interesting for it suggests that they were having some difficulties with regard to food, but here they were able to restock to some extent, and tired but triumphant make for home. Their task was complete, their success was clear. And they knew that they had little to fear. They were complacent. But they made one error. They captured a servant of Yahweh. The half repetition of Gen 14:11 in Gen 14:12 is typical of the Ancient Near Eastern love for repetition in their literature.

We note that it is only this battle that is mentioned in any detail for it is close to home for the writer. This is because the covenant is about them. However, the description of Lot is interesting. A description by an outsider who knew Abram well, ‘his father’s brother’s son’. Not the description that would come from a member of the family tribes.

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

Gen 14:11. And they That is, the victors.

REFLECTIONS.This is the first war recorded in sacred history. Chedorlaomer, with his confederates, attacks the kings who, refused to continue tributaries to him, routs their forces, plunders their cities, and, among the rest of the captives, carries away Lot, for whose sake this victory is recorded. And now Lot began to see the folly of his choice, and to share in the evil of his bad fellow-citizens. Observe, 1. Pride and ambition are the great causes of the desolations which are wrought on the earth. 2. When a nation is sunk in luxury, it becomes an easy prey to any ambitious neighbour. Let us beware! 3. We are to blame ourselves for the mischiefs we meet with in bad company. What doth Lot here? 4. In public calamities the righteous often suffer with the wicked: but the other world will set all things right. 5. Too many are like Lot; when in haste to be rich, only going the ready way to be undone.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

Gen 14:11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.

Ver. 11. And all their victuals ] “Fulness of bread” Eze 16:49 was a part of their sin; and now “cleanness of teeth” Amo 4:6 is made a piece of their punishment, in God’s just judgment.

Per quod quis peccat, per idem punitur ipse.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Gen 14:16, Gen 14:21, Gen 12:5, Deu 28:31, Deu 28:35, Deu 28:51

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge