Gênesis 14
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Gênesis 14:1-12
14:1-12 The events recorded here are unknown to current history, as are the names of the kings. There has been much disagreement about these names. It is possible that a related set of cuneiform texts purchased by the British Museum called "the Chedorlaomer Texts" records the same event because of the similarity of three of the four kings' names, but this, too, is uncertain. So what do we know? There is "archeological evidence of an advanced civilization (Middle Bronze I) in trans-Jordan, Negev, and Sinai at this time which collapsed suddenly" (ZPEB, vol 1, p. 785). This war fits current evidence. Armies moved long distances during this period (i.e., second millennium B.C.) to gain spoil and control. One example to show the current state of the confusion which surrounds this event involves "Arioch king of Ellasar," which can refer to Eri-aku, king of the city of Larsa (Akkadian), which is in central Babylon or Assyria a satrap of Armenia (Ellasar is Armenian for Armenia) Cappadocia (from Genesis Apocryphon of the Dead Sea Scrolls) a city between Carchemish and Haran (from the Mari Texts) The confusion is obvious. These names are not common to any written sources. The spelling of names changes from language to language. It is best to wait until more documented history is known from this period and locale. The kings must be contemporaneous and from the period of Abram (19 th or 18 th century B.C.). But let me hasten to mention that the names fit the country (region to which they are related, Derek Kidner, Genesis, p. 30). Amraphel ‒ Semite flavor Arioch ‒ Hurrian flavor Chedorlaomer ‒ Elam flavor Tidal ‒ Hittite flavor 14:2 The cities listed (Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela/Zoar) are cities located in the southern Arabah, today in the region covered by the southern tip of the Dead Sea. ▣ "Bera. . .Birsha" The Jewish Study Bible, p. 34, says these two names are symbolic for "evil" (BDB 948) and "wickedness" (BDB 957, also note Derek Kidner, Genesis, p. 130). This is unsubstantiated by BDB. It may be a rationale on its part for asserting that the account is not historical. The names of the kings are unknown from history. 14:3 "the valley of Siddim" This location is found only in this chapter, Gen. 14:3, 8. The ancient translations used the immediate context (Gen. 14:10) to translate it as part of the Jordan Rift Valley, where fossil petroleum products were visible on the surface. This is probably an area now covered by the southern part of the Dead Sea. 14:4 This verse tells us the reason for "the cities of the plain" to rebel (BDB 597, KB 632, Qal PERFECT) against their Mesopotamian overlord. In response Chedorlaomer recruited several other Fertile Crescent kings to join him in retaliation. 14:5-7 Derek Kidner (Genesis, Tyndale OT Commentaries, p. 131) thinks Gen. 14:5-7, possibly Gen. 14:1-11, may be from a historical document (a royal record of military campaigns) describing the defeat of the "cities of the plain" and their local allies. I also think this is a possible option. It is "different" from the surrounding chapters. 14:5 "Rephaim. . .Zuzim. . .Emin" See SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS USED FOR TALL/POWERFUL WARRIORS OR PEOPLE GROUPS (GIANTS) ▣ "Ashteroth" This (BDB 800) is one name for the Canaan female goddess connected to Ba'al. SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST 14:6 "Horites" See SPECIAL TOPIC: PRE-ISRAELITE INHABITANTS OF PALESTINE ▣ "El-paran" This is not the general name for Deity (i.e., El) prefixed. It is an abbreviation of "terebinth" (cf. LXX, i.e., a large tree). 14:7 "En-mishpat (that is Kadesh)" The term "En" (BDB 745) means "spring" and is part of the name of several locations in the OT. "Mishpat" (BDB 1048) means "judgment," "justice," or "decision," which denotes the events of Numbers 13. This is the only occurrence of this name in the Bible. The parenthesis identifies it with the oasis in the northern Sinai desert so famous during the Wilderness Wandering Period (cf. Num. 13:26; 20). Kadesh is also mentioned in Gen. 16:14, 20:1 and Num. 13:26; 20:1,14, later called "Kadesh Barnea" (cf. Num. 32:8). Apparently this is another example of an editor or scribe who added information from a later period as further clarification to an existing text or oral tradition (cf. Gen. 14:2,8,17) ▣ "Amalekites" This group may be descendants from Esau (cf. Gen. 36:15-16), who became a symbol of evil to Israel because of their raiding the defenseless rear part of the Israelite migration from Egypt (cf. Exod. 17:8-16; Deut. 25:17-19). ▣ "Amorites" See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PRE-ISRAELITE INHABITANTS OF PALESTINE ▣ "Hazazon-tamar" From 2 Chr. 20:2 this is identified as En-gedi, a unique freshwater source on the western side of the Dead Sea.
Gênesis 14:13-16
14:13 NASB, REB, JPSOA "a fugitive" NKJV, NRSV, TEV, Peshitta "one who escaped" "a survivor" "one of those who had been rescued" The MT has the DEFINITE ARTICLE before the NOUN (BDB 812), but it is not definite. It refers to a group; here, those who escaped the capture of Lot and his famialy. ▣ "Abram the Hebrew" The term "Hebrew" (BDB 720) can derive from Eber ‒ a descendant of Shem (cf. Gen. 10:21) and Shelah (cf. Gen. 10:24). The name means "beyond" (cf. LXX) or "the region across" (BDB 719). If this term designates a people group (cf. Gen. 39:14), it is another example of an anachronism denoting a later editor or scribe updating the text. Habiru ‒ name for migrating Semites of the second millennium B.C.; Akkadian for Hebrew (ABD, vol. 3, p. 6); the name itself means "refugees." This term is often used to designate Israelites to foreigners. Chapter 14 is unique in the recorded events of Abram's life. use of "Hebrew" (BDB 720 I) linked to the city of Jerusalem (Salem) use of the title "God Most High" (cf. Gen. 14:18,19,20,22) 14:14 It is surprising that a force of 318 (plus allies) could defeat a combined army of four Fertile Crescent kings (this is the faith miracle). This defeat is meant to reveal the presence and power of YHWH with Abraham (as Gen. 14:17-24 and 15:1 clearly show). This is the reason this event is recorded! Also Abram's use of the title "Melchizedek" recognizes YHWH's activity beyond Abram's covenant. Others (i.e., Job, Elihu) also knew and worshiped YHWH, but by a different name (i.e., El Elyon; see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, A. and B.). Abram's call was not an exclusive act, but a way to reveal YHWH to all the nations. ▣ NASB, NRSV "he led out" NKJV, Peshitta "he armed" "he called together" NJB, REB, JPSOA "he mustered" "he counted" The MT has "he emptied out" (BDB 937, KB 1227, Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw. Several English translations follow the LXX, which has a similar VERB, "muster." MT, וירק LXX, וידק The UBS Text Project, p. 21, gives the MT a "C: rating (considerable doubt). As often happens, there is confusion between the "R" and "D" in Hebrew. Both make sense in this context. ▣ "trained men" Even though this is a military context, this ADJECTIVE (BDB 335), which is found only here, refers to domestic or pastoral training. BDB defines it as "his tried and trusted men." A military aspect may be found in the VERB "he led out" (BDB 937, KB 1227, Hiphil IMPERFECT), which may reflect an Akkadian root, "to muster troops," which follows the Samaritan Pentateuch and the Septuagint. ▣ "as far as Dan" This is another case of a later name being used. Dan (the city) refers to the migration of the tribe of Dan from the Philistine area to the far north in Joshua 19:40-48 and Judges 18. Obviously a later editor or scribe is making updates! SPECIAL TOPIC: LATER EDITORIAL ADDITIONS 14:15 The UBS's Handbook on Genesis makes a good comment here. "14:15 shows 'that Abram did not recover Lot in the night raid at Dan, but only later at Hobah" (p. 319). This city/region "Hobah" (BDB 295) is north of Damascus and is mentioned only here in the Bible. The invading kings and Abram with his allies traveled long distances.
Gênesis 14:17-24
14:17 "the king of Sodom" Exactly how "the king of Sodom" is related to the king of Salem is uncertain. (Verse 17 picks up on the divisions of the spoils of war continued in Gen. 14:21-24). It is surprising to me that he (i.e., Bera, Gen. 14:2) is even mentioned. Apparently (1) the king of Salem was a spiritual advisor to the king of Sodom or (2) this is an abridged context combining two separate events. Salem is not one of the Cities of the Plain that were attacked (cf. Gen. 14:1-2). From Gen. 14:23 Abram wanted YHWH to receive all the credit for his prosperity (cf. Gen. 14:20b) and he did not fully trust the king of Sodom. ▣ "the valley of Shaveh (that is the King's Valley)" The term "Shaveh" (BDB 1001) means "to be smooth" (BDB 1000) and here may refer to a plain. The "King's Valley" is also mentioned in 2 Sam. 18:18 and appears to be a valley close to Salem. Its location is uncertain (though some think it is the Kidron Valley), as are so many people and places in this chapter. 14:18 "Melchizedek" The name means "king of righteousness" or "my king is righteous" (BDB 575, similar to Josh. 10:1; Zedek may relate to a Canaanite astral god, Zedek). The name (Melchizedek) appears only here and in Ps. 110:4 in the OT. The Psalm 110 passage caused the Dead Sea Scrolls community to expect two Messiahs. a royal one from the tribe of Judah a priestly one from the tribe of Levi The NT book of Hebrews (i.e., chapter 7) uses this Canaanite priest/king as a type of a superior priesthood. his genealogy is not given Abram offers a tithe to him (Gen. 14:20, a sign of an acknowledgment to a superior) he is leader of the city later to become Jerusalem he is a priest (unusual at this period, the father acted as priest for the family, cf. Gen. 31:54; Job 1) to God Most High (El Elyon, נוילע לא, cf. Gen. 14:19,20) By means of rabbinical hermeneutics the author of Hebrews uses him as a type/symbol of a better priesthood than Aaron/Levi. SPECIAL TOPIC: RABBINICAL HERMENEUTIC TECHNIQUES ▣ "Salem" The special city that YHWH chose for His name to dwell goes by several names in the OT. Salem ‒ early Canaanite name Jebus ‒ Canaanite name of Joshua's day Jerusalem ‒ of David's day (see parallelism of Ps. 76:2) SPECIAL TOPIC: MORIAH, SALEM, JEBUS, JERUSALEM, ZION ▣ "bread and wine" This was for Abram and all the others as well. This was a way of referring to the necessities of life (cf. Ps. 104:15). They may have had a religious significance (i.e., covenant of peace meal), but this is uncertain from the text. It is not a foreshadowing of the Lord's Supper. Be careful of types not revealed by inspired NT authors! ▣ "wine" This is the Hebrew yayin (I. A. 1. in Special Topic below). SPECIAL TOPIC: BIBLICAL ATTITUDES TOWARD ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOLISM 14:19-20 Most English translations mark this as poetry. SPECIAL TOPIC: HEBREW POETRY 14:19 "blessed be Abram" This is the same VERB (BDB 138, KB 159) found three times in Gen. 12:3. Its basic meaning is to "kneel" or "bless." SPECIAL TOPIC: BLESSING (OT) ▣ "Most High" Abram, Melchizedek, and Job all knew the God of creation by different names. Abram ‒ YHWH Melchizedek ‒ El Elyon Job ‒ Elohim, El Special Topic: NAMES FOR DEITY A., B., and D. ▣ "Possessor of heaven and earth" The VERBAL (BDB 888, KB 1111, Qal PARTICIPLE, cf. Gen. 14:22) means "to own" or "to make" (possibly from two similar consonantal roots). This theological language is common in Near Eastern religions (i.e., Canaanite Ugaritic poems); it was a way to acknowledge the high god (applied to YHWH in Ps. 115:15; 121:2; 124:8; 134:3; 146:6). 14:20 "a tenth of all" This is the first mention of a numerical concept that develops into the tithe in Leviticus (see SPECIAL TOPIC: TITHES IN THE MOSAIC LEGISLATION). This gesture on Abram's part was a way of thanking YHWH for the victory and acknowledging that He was the victor! By giving this to Melchizedek he was recognizing him as one who truly knew and served the same God who called him from Ur (cf. Gen. 14:22). I personally believe "tithing" (see SPECIAL TOPIC: TITHING) is an OT concept related to maintaining the central sanctuary. I do not think it is a NT principle. The best and the only discussion about believing Gentiles' giving pattern is recorded in 2 Corinthians 8-9, which deals with the one-time gift of the Gentile churches to the Jerusalem church. 14:21 One wonders if the "tithes" of Gen. 14:20 are part of the spoils discussion of Gen. 14:21. There is confusion in the context. vv. 17, 21-24 deal with the king of Sodom and the spoils vv. 18-20 deal with the tithe of the spoils to the king of Salem 14:22 Notice how Abram equates the names for Deity. YHWH El Elyon thereby identifying them as one and the same. 14:23 "I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours" This hyperbolic language is typical (cf. NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 120) of Ancient Near Eastern bartering language (cf. Genesis 23). It is an idiom for "taking nothing." Clothing was one of the spoils of battle. Abram wanted to make it perfectly clear, he was not entering or had never been in a covenant relationship with the king of Sodom. 14:24 This is a list of Abram's neighbors who aided in the battle and who deserved the spoils due them.