GENESIS CHAPTER 14
OUTLINE
1. Invasion of the Jordan valley vs 1-12
2. Abram's military victory. vs 13-16
3. Melchizedek. vs 17-20
4. Abram's refusal of cosmic prosperity. vs 21-24
VS 1 AND IT CAME ABOUT IN THE DAYS OF AMRAPHEL KING OF SHINAR, (wc
+Qal impf hayah--pref b +yom--lprmX king of Shinar, region of Babylon,
id, uncertain) ARIOCH KING OF ELLASAR (fOyrX, king of Ellasar,
identified as Eri-aku, =Rim-Sin king of Larsa SSE of Babylon)
CHEDORLAOMER KING OF ELAM (id uncertain, king of Elam, later to become
Persia) AND TIDAL KING OF GOIIM (may be Tudhalias I, ruler of the
Hittites, uncertain)
VS 2 THAT THEY MADE WAR WITH BERA KING OF SODOM, AND WITH BIRSHA KING
OF GOMORRAH, SHINAB KING OF ADMAN AND SHEMEBER KING OF ZEBOIIM, AND THE
KING OF BELA (THAT IS ZOAR) (Qal pf hwi--f.s.n hmxlm fight or fighting,
a battle or war--s.d.o + the names which follow--not one of the five
kings here have ever been identified as one would expect, since the
region was devastated and likely never inhabited again
VS 3 ALL THESE CAME AS ALLIES TO THE VALLEY OF SIDDIM (THAT IS THE SALT
SEA) (kol +demons zeh in the plural--Qal pf 3cp rbx to bind or join
together, to ally or confederate--prep lX to or into--m.s.n const qmi
verb =to be deep, hence a valley or low lying region--d.a. + ,yDw means
plain or open field, since it no longer existed at the time of writing,
Moses adds a parenthetical explanation--demons. adj=that is--Sea of the
salt xlm Dead sea)
VS 4 TWELVE YEARS THEY HAD SERVED CHEDORLAOMER, BUT THE THIRTEENTH YEAR
THEY REBELLED (two ten year--Qal pf 3cp dbi served =rendered tribute in
order to be left alone and protected--Ched--v +three ten year--Qal pf
3mp drm rebelled and refused further tribute, and banded together and
prepared to fight if necessary.
SUMMARY VS 1-4
1. The historical incident recorded here will have a great effect on
the two believers we have been studying.
2. Abram, adjusted to God and applying doctrine will shine in this
particular section.
3. Lot who had taken the easy path or temporal promotion will not fare
so well.
4. The fact that this is a literal historical incident which occurred
is observed by the proper names used for each king.
5. While most of these men are not firmly identified, they were four
kings of respective areas which were contemporaries with Abram.
6. There is no specific chronology for the section from the departure
from Haran until the taking of Hagar in 16:3
7. We do know that the events of 12:4-15:21 occurred during this 10
year period.
8. The parenthetical explanations are necessary since things had
changed drastically from the time of this event to the time of writing.
9. A confederation of kings headed by Chedorlaomer came from the region
of Mesopotamia to attack certain cities of the plain.
10. The event which precipitated this attack is stated in vs 4.
11. These cities were under discipline for their evil activity, and had
been subjugated and forced to pay tribute to Chedorlaomer for
protection. Lev. 26:17
12. This situation had been in existence for 12 years, but in the 13th
year, they chose not to continue paying tribute.
13. Whether or not they thought that this act would bring any response
is impossible to say.
14. Ched. chooses 3 allies and journeys westward to the region of the
cities to quash this rebellion.
15. The cities occupied an area at the southern end of the Dead Sea,
which would be totally devastated during the judgment on Sodom and
Gomorrah.
VS 5 AND IN THE FOURTEENTH YEAR CHEDORLAOMER CAME AND THE KINGS THAT
WERE WITH HIM (Qal pf 3ms XOB =emphasis is on Ched. he is clearly the
leader of the expedition) AND THEY DEFEATED THE REPHAIM IN ASHTEROTH-
KARNAIM (wc +Hiphil impf hkn in Qal to smite or strike, to defeat
militarily--s.d.o + ,yXpr region 20 mi E. of the Sea of Galilee, giants,
engaged in the mother son cult as evidenced by the city, Astarte=Ishtar
=Venus=goddess of love=mother of the mother son cult, began in Babylon
and carried to the regions of the world--Karnaim=two horns=Kronos=Nimrod
=son of the false system of doctrine) AND THE ZUZIM IN HAM AND THE EMIM
IN SHAVEH-KIRIATHAIM (The zuzim and the city ham are not identified,
but must be between the first group and the next in Moab--Emim were
early inhabitants of Moab, e. of Dead Sea--pref b +hvw to be even or
level, hence a plain of Kiriathaim, a city e. of Dead sea, around middle
VS 6 AND THE HORITES IN THEIR MOUNT SEIR, AS FAR AS EL-PARAN, WHICH IS
BY THE WILDERNESS. (v +s.d.o +yrh means cave dweller, early inhab. of
Edom, south and west of Dead Sea--as far as the desert or wilderness)
VS 7 THEN THEY TURNED BACK AND CAME TO EN-MISHPAT (THAT IS KADESH).
(wc + bVw to turn or return--wc + Qal impf XOb--prep lX +Fountain of
justice--Parenthetical, that is wdq) AND CONQUERED ALL THE COUNTRY OF
THE AMALEKITES, AND ALSO THE AMORITES, WHO LIVED IN HAZAZON-TAMAR (wc +
Hiph impf hkn--s.d.o +all + hdw a plain or field--Amalekites not in
existence at the time of this incident, so Moses gives his readers the
area in terms which they know--v +gam=also--s.d.o + yrmX The Amorite was
the most prominent group of Canaan, whose name is used in a wider sense
for the inhabitants of Canaan--Hazazon-Tamar is id in IIChron 20:2 as
Engedi)
SUMMARY 5-7
1. Ched. wastes very little time in planning and beginning his reprisal
for the rebellion of the vassal cities.
2. These cities were prosperous and if they would not pay willingly, he
would plunder their wealth.
3. He does not make straight for the cities, but swings north and
begins his attack there.
4. The Rephaim were giants, who resided E. of the Sea of Galilee.
5. Obviously their size was no match for the superior training and
military skills of the coalition.
6. The expedition proceeds south toward the region of Moab and defeats
an obscure group at their chief city.
7. They continue by defeating the Emim, whose name means "terrible
ones" and were compared to the giants as far as stature. Deut. 2:10
8. Ched. proceeds to swing south of the area he will ultimately conquer
and attacks those residing in the region of Edom.
9. He proceeds down the Sinai peninsula as far as it is inhabited and
then turns north to conquer En-Mishpat or Kadesh.
10. After subduing that region, he turns east subdued those who live on
the west shore of the Dead Sea.
11. The chief city in this region was known as Hazazon Tamar, which
means "sandy country of the palms", and is id as En-gedi in IIChron.20:2
12. Not only has Ched. secured his flank and encircled his prey, he has
sent a message along the way by taking the most prominent city in each
area he attacked.
VS 8 AND THE KING OF SODOM AND THE KING OF GOMORRAH AND THE KING OF
ADMAH AND THE KING OF ZEBOIIM AND THE KING OF BELA (THAT IS ZOAR) WENT
OUT; (wc + Qal impf Xjy--flm +Sodom, etc.) AND THEY ARRAYED FOR BATTLE
AGAINST THEM IN THE VALLEY OF SIDDIM. (wc + Qal impf fri to arrange in
order, to put in a row, set in array for battle, position troops--prep
tX + 3mp =with them--f.s.n hmxlm war or battle--see vs 3 on valley of
Siddim)
VS 9 AGAINST CHEDORLAOMER KING OF ELAM AND TIDAL KING OF GOIIM AND
AMRAPHEL KING OF SHINAR AND ARIOCH KING OF ELLASAR--FOUR KINGS AGAINST
FIVE (in vs 8 you have tX which means against, rather than with, and
that is repeated in vs 9 at the beginning with Ched and at the end 4
against 5)
VS 10 NOW THE VALLEY OF SIDDIM WAS FULL OF TAR PITS; (Now valley of
Siddim--f.p.n rXB pits or wells--f.p.n.const. b 'er + m.s.n rmx bitumen,
tar, asphalt, wells of hot tar) AND THE KINGS OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH
FLED, AND THEY FELL IN THERE. (wc + Qal impf cVn to flee, here to seek
to escape a battle they were losing--wc + Qal impf lpn-- adv mw +he
locale) BUT THOSE WHO WERE LEFT FLED TO THE HILL COUNTRY. (v + d.a. +
Niphal part. m.p. rXw to be left over or remain, lit. being left--m.s.n
rh +he locale--Qal pf 3cp cVn)
VS 11 THEN THEY TOOK ALL THE GOODS OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH AND ALL THEIR
FOOD SUPPLIES AND DEPARTED (wc +Qal impf xql--all their movable goods--
v +s.d.o +kol +m.s.n lkX an eating, food--wc +Qal impf flh)
VS 12 AND THEY ALSO TOOK LOT, ABRAM'S NEPHEW, AND HIS POSSESSIONS AND
DEPARTED, FOR HE WAS LIVING IN SODOM. (wc + Qal impf laqach--Lot and
his movable goods--son of brother of Abram--wc +Qal impf halak--another
parenthesis inserted by Moses--pers pron--Qal act part bwy residing--
pref b + Sodom.
SUMMARY VS 8-12
1. Having conquered the surrounding regions and protecting their flank,
the alliance from the east moves south toward the cities of the plain.
2. Certainly these kings realized that their revolt would eventually
issue in war with their overlord.
3. They were certainly aware of the approach of Ched. and his troops.
4. Yet they do not appear to be prepared for this battle, but only come
out at the last minute as it were.
5. They may have hoped that they would be defeated somewhere along the
way, or more likely these were not courageous men.
6. In any event, they are obviously ill prepared and put up a very
pathetic defense.
7. The final phrase of vs 9 indicates that they had superior numbers
over their attackers, and were fighting on their home turf.
8. Nevertheless they are soundly defeated and retreat in disarray.
9. Some of those who ran took refuge in the tar pits which were
plentiful in that area and others fled to the mountains.
10. Their cities and the inhabitants were left unprotected, and the
victorious invaders move in and take the spoils.
11. Everything which was valuable and movable they plundered.
12. In addition they replenished their food supply from the stores of
the 2 major cities.
13. They also took captive any of the inhabitants of that area that
they desired.
14. The female POWS were often ravished and later became house slaves
in the conquering country.
15. The male POWS were bound, humiliated, and led away to become a
slave, or were killed.
16. Military victory was believed to be the victory of one god over
another, so before the battles armies would:
a. Consult an oracle concerning their undertaking.
b. offer sacrifice to their god, even human sacrifice
c. appeal to the spirits of the dead
d. basically do anything to encourage themselves and the troops.
17. We were told that Lot had moved his house toward Sodom, but here we
find that he had actually become a resident.
18. Lot is a reversionistic believer who pursues the details of life at
the expense of his integrity.
19. He knew better than to associate with these degenerates, yet his
lust for money caused him to violate doctrine.
20. When he chose the fertile area of the Jordan, he never expected
this catastrophe to befall him.
21. The believer who violates doctrine and appears to get ahead for the
short term does not ever really know when disaster may strike.
22. Lot is spiritually impoverished and his wealth cannot deliver him
from what comes upon him.
23. Anything you pursue besides BD, even if you attain it, will not
deliver your soul in times of crisis and judgment.
24. It must be noted here that the attacking army very likely passed by
Abram in their march, yet he was spared.
25. This is a perfect example of the believer who is pursuing doctrine
benefiting from the providential care of God.
26. This believer is in the right place at the right time, while the
believer who is not fully pursuing doctrine is in the wrong place at the
wrong time.
VS 13 NOW THE FUGITIVE CAME AND TOLD ABRAM THE HEBREW. (d.a +m.s.n
uylP vb =to be smooth or sleek, hence to slip away, Always refers to one
who has escaped some calamity, a war or battle--wc +Qal impf XOB--wc +
Hiph impf dgn to be plain or obvious, to cause it in Hiphil, hence
explain--pref l +ABRAM--d.a + yrbi the one who crosses over, Euphrates
NOW HE WAS LIVING BY THE OAKS OF MAMRE THE AMORITE, BROTHER OF ESHCOL
AND BROTHER OF ANER (v +pers. pron--Qal act part ]kw to lie down, to
dwell, more permanent than yashabh, to sit down or dwell, far more perm
than gur to tarry or sojourn--BY THE OAKS OF MAMRE--d.a. + yrmX means
mountaineer, early and plentiful inhabitants of Canaan--Brother of--lKwX
lit a cluster, esp used of grapes, later a valley was given this name.
Num. 13:23-24--v +Brother of--rni only mentioned in this chapt. AND
THESE WERE ALLIES WITH ABRAM. (v +pers pron 3mp--m.p.n.const. liB lord,
master, possessor, owner of--f.s.n.const tyrB--Abram
SUMMARY VS 13
1. The fugitive who comes to Abram was an escapee from the city of
Sodom as opposed to one from the military who had survived the battle.
2. This is obvious by the fact that he makes known to Abram what has
occurred in Sodom.
3. Likely he was some person who was closely associated with Lot and so
rushes to Lot's relative to inform him of what has transpired.
4. He knew who Abram was and where to find him.
5. In a time of crisis, those who are weak spiritually often rely on
those who are strong.
6. Abram is here denoted to be the Hebrew, which means the man from
across the river. ie the Euphrates.
7. This appellation distinguishes Abram from those around him, the
Amorites and other inhabitants of Canaan.
8. By birth Abram was a Chaldean, but due to his relationship with YHWH
he is constituted a Hebrew.
9. This term is used to designate those who are descendants of Abram,
or Jews.
10. Abram became a Jew by regeneration, not by birth.
11. There are three types of Jews in the world today:
a. Racial Hebrews, descendants of Abram
b. Religious Hebrews, those who adhere to the OT revelation,
rejecting the NT.
c. Regenerate Hebrews, those who are descendants of Abram, who have
believed in JC.
12. In later history the term Hebrew and Israelite are practically
synonymous.
13. By obedience to God and crossing the Euphrates, Abram demonstrated
that he was positive to BD, and began a new era in human history.
14. With Abram God has inaugurated a new dispensation, the age of
Israel, in which the Divine revelation is not given to the world at
large, but is deposited with Abram and his descendants.
15. The Hebrews become the custodian of the truth, and the agency by
which God would evangelize the Gentile nations. Rom. 3:2
16. This would continue until the end of the age of Israel and the
beginning of the CA due to the failure of the Jews under neg. volition.
17. This nation is the only authorized nation in terms of the Divine
revelation, and the Church is now the "new priest nation". Ex. 19:5-6;
Matt. 21:42-43; IPet. 2:4-9
18. To the extent that nations in human history adhere to the truth to
that extent they are blessed and used by God, but in no way are they
spoken of in scripture as comparable to Israel.
19. Abram was still residing where we left him at the end of chapter
13 in the region of one Mamre and his two brothers who were Amorites.
20. These men were converts of Abram's, who were under the curse of
Gen. 9:25; see 10:16 due to phallic reversionism.
21. These men were positive to BD and broke with their religious and
cultural background and identified themselves with Abram.
22. Due the their positive volition God blessed Abram with 3 fantastic
friends.
23. These men had established a covenant which included mutual
assistance in the event of military crisis.
24. Abram's friends are those whom God has provided, who share the same
positive volition and principles of doctrine.
25. This is exactly what Jesus Christ promised in Matt. 19:29 to those
who lost certain relationships in this world on account of BD.
VS 14 NOW WHEN ABRAM HEARD THAT HIS RELATIVE HAD BEEN TAKEN CAPTIVE, HE
LED OUT HIS TRAINED MEN, (wc +Qal impf imw--yK--Lot--xX +3ms--Niphal pf
hbw to take or lead away captive, to become a POW--wc +Hiph impf qVr to
pour out, fig. to draw out a sword, to arm and prepare for battle--s.d.o
+adj.m.p fynx prop. initiated, skilled and tried, 1X for his military
force he kept and trained) BORN IN HIS HOUSE, THREE HUNDRED AND
EIGHTEEN, AND WENT IN PURSUIT AS FAR AS DAN. (adj.m.p dyly a child
which has been born--of his household--eight,ten and 3 of hundreds--wc +
Qal impf [dr to follow or pursue--prep di--Dan, not the Dan north of the
Sea of Galilee, but clearly another Dan somewhat east of the dead sea in