The Meaning of Genesis 14:12 Explained

Genesis 14:12

KJV: And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

YLT: and they take Lot, Abram's brother's son (seeing he is dwelling in Sodom), and his substance, and go away.

Darby: And they took Lot and his property, Abram's brother's son, and departed. For he dwelt in Sodom.

ASV: And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And they took  Lot,  Abram's  brother's  son,  who dwelt  in Sodom,  and his goods,  and departed. 

What does Genesis 14:12 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 14:1-12 - Abram At Hebron Lot Taken Captive
Lot lifted up his eyes for himself, but when the last of Lot's followers had streamed out of the camp, God bade Abram lift up his eyes, not to choose, but to behold what God had chosen for him. He must first estimate his possessions, and then enjoy them. Let us count up our treasures in Christ, and use them. Lot grasped at and lost his all. Abram left and inherited all. Notice how prodigal God's provision is: "All the land"¦ for ever"¦ as the dust"¦ the length and breadth." It was a far cry from the valley of the Euphrates to Sodom, and the little confederate kings dared to rebel against Chedorlaomer, who swept over their lands like a sirocco, and marched up the valley of the Jordan, laden with booty, and carrying Lot. You cannot have the sweets of the world and miss its bitters. The path of separation is the only way of safety and peace! [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 14

1  The battle of four kings against the king of Sodom and his allies
12  Lot is taken prisoner
14  Abram rescues him
17  Melchizedek blesses Abram, who gives him tithes
21  Abram restores the rest of the spoil to the king of Sodom

What do the individual words in Genesis 14:12 mean?

And they took - Lot and his goods the son of the brother of Abram and departed since he dwelt in Sodom
וַיִּקְח֨וּ אֶת־ ל֧וֹט וְאֶת־ רְכֻשׁ֛וֹ בֶּן־ אֲחִ֥י אַבְרָ֖ם וַיֵּלֵ֑כוּ וְה֥וּא יֹשֵׁ֖ב בִּסְדֹֽם

וַיִּקְח֨וּ  And  they  took 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: יָקַח 
Sense: to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
ל֧וֹט  Lot 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: לֹוט  
Sense: son of Haran and Abraham’s nephew who settled in Sodom and was delivered from its destruction by God.
רְכֻשׁ֛וֹ  his  goods 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: רְכוּשׁ  
Sense: property, goods, possessions.
בֶּן־  the  son 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
אֲחִ֥י  of  the  brother 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: אָח  
Sense: brother.
אַבְרָ֖ם  of  Abram 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַבְרָם  
Sense: original name of Abraham.
וַיֵּלֵ֑כוּ  and  departed 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: הָלַךְ  
Sense: to go, walk, come.
וְה֥וּא  since  he 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, third person masculine singular
Root: הוּא 
Sense: he, she, it.
יֹשֵׁ֖ב  dwelt 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
בִּסְדֹֽם  in  Sodom 
Parse: Preposition-b, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: סְדֹם  
Sense: a Canaanite city, usually paired with Gomorrah, located in the area of the Dead Sea and the Jordan river; both cities destroyed by God in judgment.