The Meaning of Genesis 14:14 Explained

Genesis 14:14

KJV: 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.

YLT: And Abram heareth that his brother hath been taken captive, and he draweth out his trained domestics, three hundred and eighteen, and pursueth unto Dan.

Darby: And Abram heard that his brother was taken captive; and he led out his trained servants, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them as far as Dan.

ASV: And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued as far as Dan.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Genesis 14:14 Mean?

Study Notes

when Abram
It is Abram the separated man who has power to help. See Genesis 19:29 ; 2 Timothy 2:20 ; 2 Timothy 2:21

Context Summary

Genesis 14:13-24 - Abram And Melchizedek
Recently discovered monuments confirm this narrative of the confederacy of the kings, but do not tell of their overthrow. Abram might fairly have left Lot to reap as he had sown, but his soul yearned over his weak and entrapped relative, and he set himself to deliver him. Men of faith and prayer are still able to rescue those who are taken captive by the devil at his will. Faith subdues kingdoms. The moment of success is always one of danger. The king of Sodom insidiously proposed that they should share the spoils! But how could Abram live as a pensioner on God's care, if he feathered his nest with the tainted wealth of Sodom? A previous interview had taken place, which made Abram strong. Melchizedek was king and priest of the tribe which held Jerusalem. Read Hebrews 7:1-28. He brought bread and wine, and a fresh revelation of the character of God, on which Abram rested his soul. What had he to do with Sodom, who was the child of such a Father? Christ always anticipates Satan. See Luke 22:31. [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 14:14 mean?

And when heard Abram that was taken captive his brother then he armed - his trained [servants] who were born in his own house eight [and] ten and three hundred and went in pursuit as far as Dan
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע אַבְרָ֔ם כִּ֥י נִשְׁבָּ֖ה אָחִ֑יו וַיָּ֨רֶק אֶת־ חֲנִיכָ֜יו יְלִידֵ֣י בֵית֗וֹ שְׁמֹנָ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ וּשְׁלֹ֣שׁ מֵא֔וֹת וַיִּרְדֹּ֖ף עַד־ דָּֽן

וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע  And  when  heard 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַע 
Sense: to hear, listen to, obey.
אַבְרָ֔ם  Abram 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַבְרָם  
Sense: original name of Abraham.
כִּ֥י  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: כִּי 
Sense: that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since.
נִשְׁבָּ֖ה  was  taken  captive 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁבָה  
Sense: to take captive.
אָחִ֑יו  his  brother 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אָח  
Sense: brother.
וַיָּ֨רֶק  then  he  armed 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: רִיק  
Sense: to make empty, empty out.
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.
חֲנִיכָ֜יו  his  trained  [servants] 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: חָנִיךְ  
Sense: trained, instructed, trained servant, tried, experienced.
יְלִידֵ֣י  who  were  born  in 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: יָלִיד  
Sense: born.
בֵית֗וֹ  his  own  house 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
שְׁמֹנָ֤ה  eight 
Parse: Number, masculine singular
Root: שְׁמֹנֶה  
Sense: eight, eighth.
עָשָׂר֙  [and]  ten 
Parse: Number, masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂר 
Sense: ten, -teen (in combination with other numbers).
וּשְׁלֹ֣שׁ  and  three 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Number, feminine singular construct
Root: מִשְׁלֹשׁ 
Sense: three, triad.
מֵא֔וֹת  hundred 
Parse: Number, feminine plural
Root: מֵאָה 
Sense: hundred.
וַיִּרְדֹּ֖ף  and  went  in  pursuit 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: רָדַף  
Sense: to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after.
עַד־  as  far  as 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַד  
Sense: as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as.
דָּֽן  Dan 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: דָּן 
Sense: the 5th son of Jacob, the st of Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid.