Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 14:16

And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

Verse 16. And he brought back – the women also] This is brought in by the sacred historian with peculiar interest and tenderness. All who read the account must be in pain for the fate of wives and daughters fallen into the hands of a ferocious, licentious, and victorious soldiery. Other spoils the routed confederates might have left behind; and yet on their swift asses, camels, and dromedaries, have carried off the female captives. However, Abram had disposed his attack so judiciously, and so promptly executed his measures, that not only all the baggage, but all the females also, were recovered.

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

He brought back all the goods which the victorious kings had taken from the princes and people mentioned before in this chapter.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

And he brought back all the goods,…. Taken from Sodom and Gomorrah, Ge 14:11;

and also brought again his brother Lot; his brother’s son,

Ge 14:12, for whose sake chiefly he engaged in this enterprise: and his goods; money, cattle, c.

and the women also, and the people not only that belonged to Lot, but to Sodom and Gomorrah, who had been taken and carried captive; these were all rescued and brought back by Abram, see Ge 14:21;

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

16. Brought back Lot, goods women people The victory of Abram was complete, and resulted in recovering all that had been taken, both persons and property . So that while the broken remnant of the eastern armies fled homeward, panic stricken and without any spoil, of all their conquests, Abram led back in triumph all that had been taken away .

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

‘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 the kings who were with him, at the Vale of Shaveh (the same is the King’s Vale).’

The fleeing army in their panic have left behind much of the booty they had collected and Abram returns with it in triumph. (The description does not necessarily mean that the kings are dead. The kings’ names stand for their people). But far more important to him is that he has rescued his nephew Lot. This is why he had been so determined. Family loyalty was a powerful impetus. Nothing else would have made him take the risk he did.

The description shows that what he brought back is carefully weighed up, ‘all the goods, the women also, and the people’, for there is to be a reckoning. Messengers have no doubt gone on ahead and the new King of Sodom comes out to welcome the returning heroes, and to negotiate as to what he can salvage from the affair. He recognises that a Habiru leader may well not be sympathetic.

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

Gen 14:16 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

Ver. 16. And he brought back all the goods. ] The five kings were deprived of the whole victory, because they sparest not a man whom they should have spared. One act of injustice oft loseth much that was justly gotten. Beware, saith a reverend writer hereupon, a of swallowing ill-gotten wealth; it hath a poisonful operation; and, like some evil simple in the stomach, will bring up the good food together with the evil humours.

And also brought again his brother Lot. ] Many a crooked nature would have thought of the old jar, and let Lot taste of the fruits of his departure. In a friend’s distress, let former faults be forgotten, and all possible helps afforded.

And the women also, and the people. ] The hope of this might haply move that officious messenger to address himself to the old Hebrew, Gen 14:13 little set by, till now that they were in distress. General Vere told the King of Denmark that kings cared not for soldiers (no more did the king of Sodom for Abram, and his soldiers) until such time as the crowns hang on the one side of their heads. b

a Mr Whateley’s Archetypes.

b Spec. Belli Sacri, 253.

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

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. See App-6.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

Gen 14:11, Gen 14:12, Gen 12:2, 1Sa 30:8, 1Sa 30:18, 1Sa 30:19, Isa 41:2

Reciprocal: Gen 50:7 – and with him Ecc 5:13 – riches