Genesis 14:17-24

Genesis 14:17-24

[17] 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.  [18] And Melchizedek  king  of Salem  brought forth  bread  and wine:  and he was the priest  of the most high  God.  [19] And he blessed  him, and said,  Blessed  be Abram  of the most high  God,  possessor  of heaven  and earth:  [20] And blessed  be the most high  God,  which hath delivered  thine enemies  into thy hand.  And he gave  him tithes  of all. [21] And the king  of Sodom  said  unto Abram,  Give  me the persons,  and take  the goods  to thyself. [22] And Abram  said  to the king  of Sodom,  I have lift up  mine hand  unto the LORD,  the most high  God,  the possessor  of heaven  and earth,  [23] That I will not  take from a thread  even to a shoelatchet,  and that I will not  take  any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say,  Abram  rich:  [24] Save  only that which  the young men  have eaten,  and the portion  which went  with  me, Aner,  Eshcol,  and Mamre;  let them  take  their portion. 

What does Genesis 14:17-24 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This section records an important decision Abram had to make after he returned victoriously from his battle with the Mesopotamian kings.