Bible Commentary

And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. 20. blessed be God Most High ] “praised be El Elyon.” The verb has a different sense when applied to the Deity from what it has when applied to man. To “bless God” … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 14:20”

And he blessed him, and said, Blessed [be] Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 19. he blessed him ] Melchizedek, as a priest, blessed Abram for his courageous and chivalrous action. A stranger in the land, he had come to the rescue of its people. of God Most High ] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 14:19”

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he [was] the priest of the most high God. 18. Melchizedek king of Salem ] The name Melchizedek was considered by the Jews to mean “the king of righteousness” (Heb 7:2), or “my king” ( malchi) “is righteousness” ( zedek). The name should be … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 14:18”

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that [were] with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which [is] the king’s dale. 17. the king of Sodom ] See note on Gen 14:10. The writer evidently assumes that this is the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 14:17”

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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 14:16”

And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which [is] on the left hand of Damascus. 15. divided himself against them by night ] Abram divides his forces into three bands, and from three different quarters delivers a simultaneous night attack. The same … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 14:15”

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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 14:14”

And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these [were] confederate with Abram. 13 16. Abram’s Victory 13. Abram the Hebrew ] Abram is described, as Lot in the previous verse, as if … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 14:13”

And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. 12. Lot, Abram’s brother’s son ] Notice this minute description of Lot and the mention of his residence in Sodom, as if chap. 13 had not immediately preceded. In Gen 14:14 ; Gen 14:16, Lot is spoken of as … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 14:12”

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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 14:11”