Focused Passage

Genesis 14:1-16

The LORD Gives Abram Victory, Delivers Lot, and Reveals the Priest-King Melchizedek

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

1In those days Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim

2went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

3The latter five came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).

4For twelve years they had been subject to Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

5In the fourteenth year, Chedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh-kiriathaim,

6and the Horites in the area of Mount Seir, as far as El-paran, which is near the desert.

7Then they turned back to invade En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who lived in Hazazon-tamar.

8Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) marched out and arrayed themselves for battle in the Valley of Siddim

9against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.

10Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some men fell into the pits, but the survivors fled to the hill country.

11The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food, and they went on their way.

12They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since Lot was living in Sodom.

13Then an escapee came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the Oaks of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were bound by treaty to Abram.

14And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan.

15During the night, Abram divided his forces and routed Chedorlaomer’s army, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.

16He retrieved all the goods, as well as his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the rest of the people.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 1

Original words

-וַיְהִ֗יH1961Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularIn those daysבִּימֵי֙H3117Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural constructAmraphelאַמְרָפֶ֣לH569Noun - proper - masculine singularkingמֶֽלֶךְ־H4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Shinarשִׁנְעָ֔רH8152Noun - proper - feminine singularAriochאַרְי֖וֹךְH746Noun - proper - masculine singularkingמֶ֣לֶךְH4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Ellasarאֶלָּסָ֑רH495Noun - proper - masculine singularChedorlaomerכְּדָרְלָעֹ֙מֶר֙H3540Noun - proper - masculine singularkingמֶ֣לֶךְH4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Elamעֵילָ֔םH5867Noun - proper - feminine singularand Tidalוְתִדְעָ֖לH8413Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularkingמֶ֥לֶךְH4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Goiimגּוֹיִֽם׃H1471Noun - masculine plural

BSB notes

  • That is, Babylonia; also in verse 9
Verse 2

Original words

went toעָשׂ֣וּH6213Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralwarמִלְחָמָ֗הH4421Noun - feminine singularagainstאֶת־H854PrepositionBeraבֶּ֙רַע֙H1298Noun - proper - masculine singularkingמֶ֣לֶךְH4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Sodomסְדֹ֔םH5467Noun - proper - feminine singular. . .וְאֶת־H854Conjunctive waw | PrepositionBirshaבִּרְשַׁ֖עH1306Noun - proper - masculine singularkingמֶ֣לֶךְH4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Gomorrahעֲמֹרָ֑הH6017Noun - proper - feminine singularShinabשִׁנְאָ֣ב׀H8134Noun - proper - masculine singularkingמֶ֣לֶךְH4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Admahאַדְמָ֗הH126Noun - proper - feminine singularShemeberוְשֶׁמְאֵ֙בֶר֙H8038Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularkingמֶ֣לֶךְH4428Noun - masculine singular constructof ZeboiimצְבֹיִיםH6636Noun - proper - feminine singularand the kingוּמֶ֥לֶךְH4428Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular constructof Belaבֶּ֖לַעH1106Noun - proper - feminine singular(that isהִיא־H1931Pronoun - third person feminine singularZoar)צֹֽעַר׃H6820Noun - proper - feminine singular
Verse 3

Original words

The latterאֵ֙לֶּה֙H428Pronoun - common plural[five]כָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructcame as alliesחָֽבְר֔וּH2266Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluraltoאֶל־H413Prepositionthe Valleyעֵ֖מֶקH6010Noun - masculine singular constructof Siddimהַשִּׂדִּ֑יםH7708Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular(that isה֖וּאH1931Pronoun - third person masculine singularthe Saltהַמֶּֽלַח׃H4417Article | Noun - masculine singularSeaיָ֥םH3220Noun - masculine singular construct

BSB notes

  • That is, the Dead Sea
Verse 4

Original words

For twelveשְׁתֵּ֤יםH8147Number - fd. . .עֶשְׂרֵה֙H6240Number - feminine singular constructyearsשָׁנָ֔הH8141Noun - feminine singularthey had been subjectעָבְד֖וּH5647Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural-אֶת־H853Direct object markerto Chedorlaomerכְּדָרְלָעֹ֑מֶרH3540Noun - proper - masculine singularbut in the thirteenthוּשְׁלֹשׁ־H7969Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular construct. . .עֶשְׂרֵ֥הH6240Number - feminine singular constructyearשָׁנָ֖הH8141Noun - feminine singularthey rebelledמָרָֽדוּ׃H4775Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Verse 5

Original words

In the fourteenthוּבְאַרְבַּע֩H702Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Number - feminine singular construct. . .עֶשְׂרֵ֨הH6240Number - feminine singular constructyearשָׁנָ֜הH8141Noun - feminine singularChedorlaomerכְדָרְלָעֹ֗מֶרH3540Noun - proper - masculine singularand the kingsוְהַמְּלָכִים֙H4428Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural-אֲשֶׁ֣רH834Pronoun - relativeallied with himאִתּ֔וֹH854Preposition | third person masculine singularwent outבָּ֣אH935Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularand defeatedוַיַּכּ֤וּH5221Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural-אֶת־H853Direct object markerthe Rephaitesרְפָאִים֙H7497Noun - proper - masculine pluralinבְּעַשְׁתְּרֹ֣תH6255PrepositionAshteroth-karnaimקַרְנַ֔יִםH6255Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerthe Zuzitesהַזּוּזִ֖יםH2104Article | Noun - proper - masculine pluralin Hamבְּהָ֑םH1990Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular-וְאֵת֙H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerthe Emitesהָֽאֵימִ֔יםH368Article | Noun - proper - masculine pluralin Shaveh-kiriathaimבְּשָׁוֵ֖הH7740Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct. . .קִרְיָתָֽיִם׃H7156Noun - proper - feminine singular
Verse 6

Original words

andוְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerthe Horitesהַחֹרִ֖יH2752Article | Noun - proper - masculine singularin [the area of] Mountבְּהַרְרָ֣םH2022Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine pluralSeirשֵׂעִ֑ירH8165Noun - proper - feminine singularas far asעַ֚דH5704Prepositionvvvאֵ֣ילH364El-paranפָּארָ֔ןH364Noun - proper - feminine singularwhich [is]אֲשֶׁ֖רH834Pronoun - relativenearעַל־H5921Prepositionthe desertהַמִּדְבָּֽר׃H4057Article | Noun - masculine singular
Verse 7

Original words

Then they turned backוַ֠יָּשֻׁבוּH7725Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralto invadeוַיָּבֹ֜אוּH935Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural. . .אֶל־H413Prepositionvvvעֵ֤יןH5880En-mishpatמִשְׁפָּט֙H5880Noun - proper - feminine singular(that isהִ֣ואH1931Pronoun - third person feminine singularKadesh)קָדֵ֔שׁH6946Noun - proper - feminine singularand they conqueredוַיַּכּ֕וּH5221Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural-אֶֽת־H853Direct object markerthe wholeכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructterritoryשְׂדֵ֖הH7704Noun - masculine singular constructof the Amalekitesהָעֲמָלֵקִ֑יH6003Article | Noun - proper - masculine singularasוְגַם֙H1571Conjunction-אֶת־H853Direct object markerwell as the Amoritesהָ֣אֱמֹרִ֔יH567Article | Noun - proper - masculine singularwho livedהַיֹּשֵׁ֖בH3427Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularvvvבְּחַֽצְצֹ֥ןH2688Prepositionin Hazazon-tamarתָּמָֽר׃H2688Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Verse 8

Original words

Then the kingמֶֽלֶךְ־H4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Sodomסְדֹ֜םH5467Noun - proper - feminine singularthe kingוּמֶ֣לֶךְH4428Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular constructof Gomorrahעֲמֹרָ֗הH6017Noun - proper - feminine singularthe kingוּמֶ֤לֶךְH4428Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular constructof Admahאַדְמָה֙H126Noun - proper - feminine singularthe kingוּמֶ֣לֶךְH4428Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular constructof ZeboiimצְבֹיִיםH6636Noun - proper - feminine singularand the kingוּמֶ֥לֶךְH4428Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular constructof Belaבֶּ֖לַעH1106Noun - proper - feminine singular(that isהִוא־H1931Pronoun - third person feminine singularZoarצֹ֑עַרH6820Noun - proper - feminine singularmarched outוַיֵּצֵ֨אH3318Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularand arrayedוַיַּֽעַרְכ֤וּH6186Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralthemselvesאִתָּם֙H854Preposition | third person masculine pluralfor battleמִלְחָמָ֔הH4421Noun - feminine singularin the Valleyבְּעֵ֖מֶקH6010Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructof Siddimהַשִּׂדִּֽים׃H7708Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular

BSB notes

  • That is, the Valley of the Dead Sea
Verse 9

Original words

againstאֵ֣תH854PrepositionChedorlaomerכְּדָרְלָעֹ֜מֶרH3540Noun - proper - masculine singularkingמֶ֣לֶךְH4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Elamעֵילָ֗םH5867Noun - proper - feminine singularTidalוְתִדְעָל֙H8413Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularkingמֶ֣לֶךְH4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Goiimגּוֹיִ֔םH1471Noun - masculine pluralAmraphelוְאַמְרָפֶל֙H569Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularkingמֶ֣לֶךְH4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Shinarשִׁנְעָ֔רH8152Noun - proper - feminine singularand Ariochוְאַרְי֖וֹךְH746Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularkingמֶ֣לֶךְH4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Ellasarאֶלָּסָ֑רH495Noun - proper - masculine singularfourאַרְבָּעָ֥הH702Number - masculine singularkingsמְלָכִ֖יםH4428Noun - masculine pluralagainstאֶת־H854Prepositionfiveהַחֲמִשָּֽׁה׃H2568Article | Number - masculine singular
Verse 10

Original words

Now the Valleyוְעֵ֣מֶקH6010Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular constructof Siddimהַשִׂדִּ֗יםH7708Article | Noun - proper - feminine singularwas full of tarחֵמָ֔רH2564Noun - masculine singularpitsבֶּֽאֱרֹ֤תH875Noun - feminine plural construct. . .בֶּאֱרֹת֙H875Noun - feminine plural constructand as the kingsמֶֽלֶךְ־H4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Sodomסְדֹ֥םH5467Noun - proper - feminine singularand Gomorrahוַעֲמֹרָ֖הH6017Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singularfledוַיָּנֻ֛סוּH5127Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralsome men fellוַיִּפְּלוּ־H5307Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralinto [the pits]שָׁ֑מָּהH8033Adverb | third person feminine singularbut the survivorsוְהַנִּשְׁאָרִ֖יםH7604Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine pluralfledנָּֽסוּ׃H5127Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralto the hill countryהֶ֥רָהH2022Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Verse 11

Original words

The [four kings] seizedוַ֠יִּקְחוּH3947Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural-אֶת־H853Direct object markerallכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructthe goodsרְכֻ֨שׁH7399Noun - masculine singular constructof Sodomסְדֹ֧םH5467Noun - proper - feminine singularand Gomorrahוַעֲמֹרָ֛הH6017Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerand allכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructtheir foodאָכְלָ֖םH400Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine pluraland they went on their wayוַיֵּלֵֽכוּ׃H1980Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Verse 12

Original words

They also carried offוַיִּקְח֨וּH3947Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural-אֶת־H853Direct object marker-וַיֵּלֵ֑כוּH1980Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralAbram’sאַבְרָ֖םH87Noun - proper - masculine singularnephewבֶּן־H1121Noun - masculine singular construct. . .אֲחִ֥יH251Noun - masculine singular constructLotל֧וֹטH3876Noun - proper - masculine singular-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerand his possessionsרְכֻשׁ֛וֹH7399Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularsince [Lot]וְה֥וּאH1931Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singularwas livingיֹשֵׁ֖בH3427Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularin Sodomבִּסְדֹֽם׃H5467Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Verse 13

Original words

Then an escapeeהַפָּלִ֔יטH6412Article | Noun - masculine singularcameוַיָּבֹא֙H935Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularand reported [this]וַיַּגֵּ֖דH5046Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularto Abramלְאַבְרָ֣םH87Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularthe Hebrewהָעִבְרִ֑יH5680Article | Noun - proper - masculine singularNow [Abram]וְהוּא֩H1931Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singularwas livingשֹׁכֵ֨ןH7931Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularnear the Oaksבְּאֵֽלֹנֵ֜יH436Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural constructof Mamreמַמְרֵ֣אH4471Noun - proper - feminine singularthe Amoriteהָאֱמֹרִ֗יH567Article | Noun - proper - masculine singulara brotherאֲחִ֤יH251Noun - masculine singular constructof Eshcolאֶשְׁכֹּל֙H812Noun - proper - masculine singular[and]וַאֲחִ֣יH251Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular constructAnerעָנֵ֔רH6063Noun - proper - masculine singularall of whomוְהֵ֖םH1992Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine pluralwere boundבַּעֲלֵ֥יH1167Noun - masculine plural constructby treatyבְרִית־H1285Noun - feminine singular constructto Abramאַבְרָֽם׃H87Noun - proper - masculine singular

BSB notes

  • Or Terebinths or Great Trees
  • Forms of the Hebrew berit are translated in most passages as covenant.
Verse 14

Original words

And when Abramאַבְרָ֔םH87Noun - proper - masculine singularheardוַיִּשְׁמַ֣עH8085Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularthatכִּ֥יH3588Conjunctionhis relativeאָחִ֑יוH251Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularhad been capturedנִשְׁבָּ֖הH7617Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singularhe mobilizedוַיָּ֨רֶקH7324Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerthe 318שְׁמֹנָ֤הH8083Number - masculine singular. . .עָשָׂר֙H6240Number - masculine singular. . .וּשְׁלֹ֣שׁH7969Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular construct. . .מֵא֔וֹתH3967Number - feminine pluraltrained menחֲנִיכָ֜יוH2593Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singularbornיְלִידֵ֣יH3211Noun - masculine plural constructin his householdבֵית֗וֹH1004Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularand they set out in pursuitוַיִּרְדֹּ֖ףH7291Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularasעַד־H5704Prepositionfar as Danדָּֽן׃H1835Noun - proper - feminine singular
Verse 15

Original words

During the nightלַ֛יְלָהH3915Noun - masculine singular[Abram]ה֥וּאH1931Pronoun - third person masculine singulardividedוַיֵּחָלֵ֨קH2505Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular. . .עֲלֵיהֶ֧ם׀H5921Preposition | third person masculine pluralhis forcesוַעֲבָדָ֖יוH5650Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singularand routed [Chedorlaomer’s army]וַיַּכֵּ֑םH5221Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine pluralpursuing themוַֽיִּרְדְּפֵם֙H7291Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine pluralas far asעַד־H5704PrepositionHobahחוֹבָ֔הH2327Noun - proper - feminine singular-אֲשֶׁ֥רH834Pronoun - relativenorthמִשְּׂמֹ֖אלH8040Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singularof Damascusלְדַמָּֽשֶׂק׃H1834Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Verse 16

Original words

He retrievedוַיָּ֕שֶׁבH7725Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular-אֵ֖תH853Direct object markerallכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructthe goodsהָרְכֻ֑שׁH7399Article | Noun - masculine singularas well asוְגַם֩H1571Conjunction-אֶת־H853Direct object markerhis relativeאָחִ֤יוH251Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularLotל֨וֹטH3876Noun - proper - masculine singularand his possessionsוּרְכֻשׁוֹ֙H7399Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular. . .הֵשִׁ֔יבH7725Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singulartogether withוְגַ֥םH1571Conjunction-אֶת־H853Direct object markerthe womenהַנָּשִׁ֖יםH802Article | Noun - feminine plural-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerand the rest of the peopleהָעָֽם׃H5971Article | Noun - masculine singular

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