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.
14. And when Abram heard ] It is implied that, if Lot had not been taken prisoner, Abram would not have stirred either to attack the invader or to assist the native kings. But, as a dweller at Hebron, he was within sight of “the land of the Plain,” cf. Gen 19:28; and must have been well aware of Chedorlaomer’s punitive expedition against the kings of the Plain.
his brother ] i.e. kinsman: see note on Gen 13:8.
led forth ] Lit. “emptied out,” or “unsheathed,” used of arrows from a quiver, or of a sword from a sheath. Driver gives the meaning “drew out rapidly and in full numbers.” The LXX , “counted” or “mustered,” Lat. numeravit, following probably a reading which is also found in the Samaritan version.
his trained men, born in his house ] i.e. his most faithful retainers, the slaves ( a) born in his household, as distinguished from those obtained by purchase; ( b) specially exercised in the use of arms.
three hundred and eighteen ] This exact figure seems strange. The old Jewish commentators explained it by pointing out that the numerical value of the Heb. letters of the name “Eliezer,” Abram’s steward (Gen 15:2), was 318. In modern times Winckler has found some supporters for the astronomical explanation, that the moon is visible for 318 days in the year; and that the number of Abram’s retainers must, therefore, indicate that the story of Abram is blended with a lunar myth. The two explanations possess a certain kind of resemblance in their ingenuity and their improbability.
Dan ] The pursuit of Abram enabled him to overtake the booty-laden army at Laish (Jos 19:47), on the north frontier of Canaan. Laish received the name of Dan after its conquest by a band of Danites, as recorded in Jdg 1:18. The mention of Dan, therefore, is, strictly speaking, an anachronism, though quite intelligible. That Abram should overtake and smite his enemy at the furthest northern limit of the future Israelite country, is a feature in the story not without symbolical significance.
But, if Abram with a small force had to pursue the enemy the whole length of Palestine, the retiring army, though burdened with spoil, must have marched at a high rate of speed. Again, Dan would not be on the high road to Damascus; it lay too far to the left.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 14. He armed his trained servants] These amounted to three hundred and eighteen in number: and how many were in the divisions of Mamre, Eshcol, and Aner, we know not; but they and their men certainly accompanied him in this expedition. See Ge 14:24.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He armed his trained servants, whom he had disciplined and instructed both in religion and in the military art too, both which were necessary to make them good soldiers, that they might both fight with skill and courage, and also rely upon God, and engage his assistance; which was now especially necessary, when so small a party were to engage against so numerous an army.
Dan is commonly thought to be a town then called Leshem, Jos 19:47, or Laish, Jdg 18:7, and afterwards Dan; see Jdg 18:7,29; so it is an anticipation. But it may be doubted whether this was a city; or if it were, whether it were not another town called by the same name, which was frequent in those parts. And some think this is not a town, but the very fountain of Dan, whence Jordan had its name.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
14. And when Abram heard that hisbrother was taken captive, he armed his trained servantsdomesticslaves, such as are common in Eastern countries still and areconsidered and treated as members of the family. If Abram could sparethree hundred and eighteen slaves and leave a sufficient number totake care of the flocks, what a large establishment he must have had.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive,…. That is, his brother’s son Lot, as in Ge 14:12; which was contrary to the law of nations; since Lot was only a sojourner, and not an inhabitant n Sodom, and therefore had no concern in the quarrel between the kings, and this justified Abram’s taking up arms on his behalf:
he armed his trained [servants]; such as were trained up by him in religious exercises, see Ge 18:19; in the affairs and business of civil life, in the care of flocks and herds, and particularly in the art of war; which was both lawful and necessary, for the preservation of his family and substance from oppressors:
born in his own house; of his servants, and so were his property, and at his disposal and command; their number was
three hundred and eighteen, a large number for servants, and which showed how great a man Abram was, what possessions he must have to employ so many, and yet but a small number for an army, to go forth with against four kings who had conquered five; though how many his confederates brought with them is not certain:
and pursued [them] unto Dan; the Jerusalem Targum is, to Dan of Caesarea, meaning Caesarea of Philippi, as in the times of Christ and his apostles it was called; which at first had the name of Leshem, or Lais, and was not called Dan until the times of the judges,
Jud 18:29; wherefore, if the same place is intended here, it is so called not only by anticipation, but by a spirit of prophecy; since it had not the name of Dan even in the times of Moses, the writer of this history, unless it may be thought to be inserted by Samuel or some other inspired writer, after Moses; though there is no need to suppose either of these, seeing there might be a town or city of this name in those parts at this time, or however one of the springs of Jordan might be so called, from whence the river had its name as early, Ge 13:11; and so Josephus f expressly says, speaking of this expedition, that Abram fell upon them at Dan, for so, adds he, the other fountain of Jordan is called.
f Antiqu. l. 1. c. 10. sect. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
14. When Abram heard that his brother was taken captive. Moses briefly explains the cause of the war which was undertaken; namely, that Abram might rescue his relation from captivity. Meanwhile, what I have before said is to be remembered, that he did not rashly fly to arms; but took them as from the hand of God, who had constituted him lord of that land. With reference to the words themselves, I know not why the ancient interpreter has rendered them, ‘Abram numbered his trained servants.’ For the word ריק ( rik) signifies to unsheathe, or to draw out. (359) Now Moses calls these servants חניכים ( chanichim,) not as having been educated and trained for military service, as many suppose; but rather (in my opinion) as having been brought up under his own authority, and imbued from childhood with his discipline; so that they fought the more courageously, being stimulated by his faith, and going forth under his auspices; (360) and were ready to undergo every kind of danger for his sake. But in this great household troop, we must notice, not only the diligence of the holy patriarch, but the special blessing of God, by which it had been increased beyond the common and usual manner.
(359) “ Comme s’il disoit, Il tira hors de sa maison trois cens dixhuit serviteurs.” — “As if he had said, He drew out of his house three hundred and eighteen servants.” — French Tr
(360) “ Animosius sub fide et auspiciis ejus bellarent.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(14) Abram . . . armed . . . Heb., led forth, or literally, let them loose, let them pour forth, the verb indicating both their number and also their haste. The word for trained comes from the same root as the name Enoch, for which see note on Gen. 4:17. As Abrams cattle would often be exposed to danger from the Amalekites, who throughout the Biblical history appear as a race of inveterate plunderers, there is no reason to doubt that these men were trained and practised in the use of weapons. This large number of servants born in his house, and of an age capable of undergoing the fatigues of a rapid pursuit, added to the older men left to defend and take care of the cattle, proves that Abram was the chieftain of a powerful tribe.
Dan.There is a city of this name in Gilead, mentioned in Deu. 34:1, but this is probably the better known town at the source of the Jordan, also called Laish (Jdg. 18:29). For having swept the hill country on his march southwards, Chedorlaomer would now plunder the rich vale of the Jordan as his final exploit. Dan is about 140 miles from Hebron, where Abram began his march.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. When Abram heard He had no pleasure in the misfortune of his more worldly kinsman, who had taken advantage of his offer (Gen 13:9) and chosen the fertile plain, but moved immediately for his rescue. The word brother is here used in the wider sense of kinsman, a usage not unfrequent. Exo 2:11; Num 8:26.
Armed his trained servants Rather, led forth his trained ones . The word rendered trained is of the same root as that rendered train in Pro 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go . ” These were drilled and practiced in the use of weapons, as well as to (Gen 18:19) “keep the way of the Lord . ” Gen 34:25; Gen 49:5, further show that the pastoral patriarchs were skilful in the use of arms. This was probably often necessary for purposes of self-defence. These trained and skilful adherents of Abram are further described as born in his own house, a regular part of the patriarchal family; not bought, nor taken in war. Comp. Gen 17:12. And the number, three hundred and eighteen, shows what a powerful community one patriarchal family might be. To these were added the forces of Mamre, Eshcol, and Aner. Gen 14:24.
Pursued them unto Dan From which it appears that the victorious kings made no hurried march homeward, but took a northerly route. There is no reason to suppose the Dan here mentioned as any other than the well known city of this name near the source of the Jordan. It is doubtless the same as the Dan-jaan of 2Sa 24:6, and the Dan mentioned in Deu 34:1; for the language of the latter passage does not necessarily imply that the Dan there mentioned was in the land of Gilead . The ancient name of the place was Laish or Leshem, (Jos 19:47; Jdg 18:29,) but Dan is here used either proleptically, or else was substituted by a later editor as being the more common name of the place .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued as far as Dan. And he divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and smote them, and pursued them to Hobah which is to the left of Damascus.’
The writer is clearly greatly impressed with Abram. He ignores the assistance of his confederates (but see Gen 14:24) and concentrates on Abram’s part in the affair, partly because he is somewhat in awe of him as a ‘Habiru’, and partly because he is central to the following covenant..
The word for trained men is hanakim, a rare word found also in the Egyptian execration texts (cursing rituals) calling down curses on the Hittite chieftains “and their hanakim”. Later the word became obsolete but it is correctly used in this setting.
Similarly, the idea of Abraham having 318 trained servants makes good sense. Details of an inspection of private armies are recorded on a tablet dating to the third dynasty at Ur (Abraham’s time). They range between 100 and 600 troops, one being made up of 301 men. Abraham’s 318 trained troops fits the background. With his Ur background and the constant possible dangers to a small but wealthy family tribe such a force would be seen by him as necessary, and he has clearly trained them well.
Objections to Abram’s being able to act in this way treat him as simply another shepherd but that is to ignore his unusual background. Some men are born to be leaders and fighters when needed and Abram was one of them. Together with his confederates he may well have had a thousand men under him, some of whom have been highly trained. And, as we shall see later, he possibly had more.
Abram is as aware as the critics that, in spite of his strength, he has little chance against the kings in a straight fight. They would have two or three times the number. But he knows that they are weary after a hard expedition, laden with booty, and not expecting pursuit and that he can catch them unawares, and he makes his plans accordingly. Indeed the forces of the kings may not have been keeping close together in formation. There is nothing like an easy victory to make an enemy complacent. And he may well have caught stragglers and forced them to divulge where Lot could be found, so that he knew exactly where to attack.
He reconnoitres the section of the unsuspecting army he intends to attack, and divides his trained men into effective groups, supported by the men of his confederates and possibly others. He then waits for nightfall.
The enemy are taken totally by surprise. They wake in the darkness to find themselves under attack by a grim and determined force of shadowy figures, trained men, coming in at them from different angles. They do not know the size of the force, but the enemy seem everywhere. The make up of the force is uncertain. These are not the soft dwellers of the cities, and night time and imagination does the rest. They panic.
They had been so confident of their security from attack, and so satisfied with themselves as they rested their weary bodies, that the attack, which was not only unexpected but from a completely unknown source, throws them into disarray. All kinds of possibilities grip their minds. They are soon in full flight and the panic spreads to their fellow soldiers.
It is certainly not the only time in history that such a thing has happened. And once the flight has begun their discipline is in tatters. Followed through the night by the grim, relentless demons who pursue them they flee for safety, an easy prey to the terrible slaughter by their pursuers of those who were tardy, not slowing down until they reach Damascus and the pursuit drops off. They still are not sure who has been pursuing them, and their later tales would no doubt make good reading. And so occurs Abram’s victory, a scenario so daring that it takes away the breath, but is by no means impossible.
The mention of Dan may refer to a different one from the well known Dan in the Old Testament. Alternatively it may be a scribal updating of Laish, (whose name was later changed to Dan), so as to identify the site to readers.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 14:14. He armed his trained servants The original word for armed, iarek, may signify to lead or draw forth to battle; but Houbigant thinks the Samaritan reading the true one, in agreement with the LXX, which renders it , he numbered; and might be rendered in French, says he, faire la revue, to make a review. He renders it in his translation recensuit. According to this, Abram made a review of his servants or domestics, who had been born in his house, and whom he had trained up or initiated, as well in arts and religion, as in arms; and finding them three hundred and eighteen fighting men, with these he pursued the enemy to the place, afterwards called Dan, near the source of the river Jordan, see Jos 19:47. Jdg 18:29. where, reconnoitring them, he divided himself and his servants, together with his three confederates; Gen 14:13 who most probably attended him, into two parties; and thus fell upon the enemy by night, and gained a complete victory over them; pursuing them unto Ho-bah, a place no where else mentioned in the sacred writings, but here described to have been on the left of Damascus, a city of the most venerable antiquity, concerning which we shall have occasion to speak more fully hereafter.
REFLECTIONS.Though God afflicts his children, yet, when their case seems most desperate, help is at hand. Now was Lot giving himself up for lost, when Abram’s courage and conduct redeem him from servitude. A fugitive from the battle informs Abram of the disaster; and he resolves immediately to pursue. Not ambition, but charity roused his spirit for war; it was not to enrich himself, but to recover his friend. We have here,
1. His preparations: his own servants, and the forces of his confederates. His own amounted to three hundred and eighteen, a large family, but a small army: but what they wanted in number, they made up in fidelity, courage, and obedience. They were trained, not to arms, as their trade, but for their defence; or rather trained up in the steps of Abram’s faith and piety, and therefore ready to follow him, as confident of the divine protection under such a general. Observe, (1.) Though war is exceeding far from being desirable, it is not always unlawful. (2.) Those will be the best soldiers, who are the most pious. Though religion suffers not men to be quarrelsome, it ever prevents them from being cowards. (3.) It is highly the interest and duty of every general to have his soldiers disciplined in the truth: profaneness and impiety cannot but tend to make men afraid to die, unless they be desperate indeed. (4.) A great family is a great charge: happy the master, who like Abram, not only provides for their bodies, but cares also for their souls.
2. Their march, and attack of these confederate kings by night: brave to the last degree, and so wisely directed, that Abram may vie with the greatest generals. It might have been called rashness, to attack so great an army with such a handful of men; but Abram had the Lord of Hosts on his side, and then more were for him than against him. Learn, (1.) When we are engaged in a good cause, we are bound to trust upon the Lord mighty in battle for success. (2.) In war, policy is usually more effectual than force.
3. Their complete victory. Their enemies are pursued to their fenced cities, and all the captives and spoil left a prey to the conqueror. As it was for Lot’s sake that the expedition was undertaken, he is first mentioned, and called Abram’s brother, not only because of their family-relation, but of their religion. Note; (1.) We ought to be ready to lay down our lives for the brethren. (2.) Their unkindness to us affects not our duty to them: we must forgive, not only our avowed enemies, but what is harder to be borne, the ingratitude of our friends. (3.) A nation fares the better for one righteous man. For Lot’s sake, all the inhabitants of these cities who were taken captive, are recovered.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
I beg the Reader, very particularly, in entering upon the perusal of these verses, to call to mind our motto: Moses wrote of Christ. And with this impression, to turn to Heb 7 , and diligently compare both Scriptures: and may the same Almighty Teacher, who guided the apostle’s pen in that chapter, to explain this Old Testament Scripture, lead the Reader into a clear apprehension of the whole. Of this Melchisedek it is said, that he was without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life. Of whom could this be said, but of Him of whom the prophet speaks: Isa 53:8 ; Pro 8:23 compared with Act 8:33-35 ? Again. Of Melchisedek, it is said, that he is a priest forever. But who is a priest forever, excepting Him described in Psa 110:4 ; Heb 7:17-21 ? So once more. Of Melchisedek it is said, that he abideth continually like to the Son of God, and that it is witnessed of him that he liveth. Heb 7:3-8 . But that no question of doubt might arise to whom these things referred, the apostle points out by many infallible marks to Him, of whom these things were spoken. See Heb 7 throughout.–Reader! Who think you was this Melchisedek? Can you bear testimony as Nathaniel did upon a similar occasion? Joh 1:49 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 14:14 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.
Ver. 14. He armed his trained servants. ] Or, catechised; such as he had painfully principled both in religion and military discipline, tractable and trusty, ready pressed for any such purpose. It is recorded to the commendation of Queen Elizabeth, that she provided for war, even when she had most perfect peace with all men. a Speers foreseen are dintless.
a Camden’s Elis., fol. 164.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
trained = initiated or instructed, probably in the worship of Jehovah. Compare Gen 12:5; Gen 15:2; Gen 18:19; Gen 24:12-29; and Pro 22:6 (same word). 318 = a multiple of 6, the No. of “man”. See App-10.
Dan. Not the Dan of Jdg 18:29, but a city in N. of Palestine long before the Danites changed the name of Laish.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
when Abram
It is Abram the separated man who has power to help. See Gen 19:29; 2Ti 2:20; 2Ti 2:21
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
his brother: Gen 11:27-31, Gen 13:8, Pro 17:17, Pro 24:11, Pro 24:12, Gal 6:1, Gal 6:2, 1Jo 2:18
armed: or, led forth, Psa 45:3-5, Psa 68:12, Isa 41:2, Isa 41:3
trained: or, instructed
born: Gen 12:5, Gen 12:16, Gen 15:3, Gen 17:12, Gen 17:27, Gen 18:19, Gen 23:6, Ecc 2:7
Dan: Deu 34:1, Jdg 18:29, Jdg 20:1
Reciprocal: Gen 12:2 – thou shalt Gen 17:13 – born Gen 29:12 – brother Exo 21:4 – shall be her 1Sa 30:19 – General 1Ki 12:29 – Dan 1Ki 15:20 – Dan 1Ki 20:14 – young men 2Ch 16:4 – Dan Job 29:25 – dwelt Ecc 3:8 – a time of war Jer 41:12 – to fight
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 14:14. He armed his trained servants To the number of three hundred and eighteen: a great family, but a small army; about as many as Gideons that routed the Midianites, Jdg 7:7. He drew-out his trained servants, or his catechised servants; not only instructed in the art of war, but instructed in the principles of religion; for Abram commanded his household to keep the way of the Lord.