Genesis 14:1-16

Genesis 14:1-16

[1] And it came to pass in the days  of Amraphel  king  of Shinar,  Arioch  king  of Ellasar,  Chedorlaomer  king  of Elam,  and Tidal  king  of nations;  [2] That these made  war  with  Bera  king  of Sodom,  and with Birsha  king  of Gomorrah,  Shinab  king  of Admah,  and Shemeber  king  of Zeboiim,  and the king  of Bela,  which is  Zoar.  [3] All these were joined together  in the vale  of Siddim,  which  is the salt  sea.  [4] Twelve  years  they served  Chedorlaomer,  and in the thirteenth  year  they rebelled.  [5] And in the fourteenth  year  came  Chedorlaomer,  and the kings  that were with him, and smote  the Rephaims  in Ashteroth Karnaim,  and the Zuzims  in Ham,  and the Emims  [6] And the Horites  Seir,  unto Elparan,  which is by  the wilderness.  [7] And they returned,  and came  to  Enmishpat,  which is Kadesh,  and smote  all the country  of the Amalekites,  and also the Amorites,  that dwelt  in Hazezontamar.  [8] And there went out  the king  of Sodom,  and the king  of Gomorrah,  and the king  of Admah,  and the king  of Zeboiim,  and the king  of Bela  (the same  is Zoar;)  and they joined  battle  with them in the vale  of Siddim;  [9] With Chedorlaomer  the king  of Elam,  and with Tidal  king  of nations,  and Amraphel  king  of Shinar,  and Arioch  king  of Ellasar;  four  kings  with five.  [10] And the vale  of Siddim  was full of slimepits;  and the kings  of Sodom  and Gomorrah  fled,  and fell  there; and they that remained  fled  to the mountain.  [11] And they took  all the goods  of Sodom  and Gomorrah,  and all their victuals,  [12] And they took  Lot,  Abram's  brother's  son,  who dwelt  in Sodom,  and his goods,  [13] 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.  [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.  [15] 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.  [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. 

What does Genesis 14:1-16 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

A major significance of this literary unit is that it describes two more challenges to God"s faithfulness and Abram"s faith. So far Abram had to contend with several barriers to God fulfilling His promises to him. His wife was barren, he had to leave the land, his life was in danger, and his anticipated heir showed no interest in the Promised Land. Now he became involved in a war and consequently became the target of retaliation by four powerful kings.