trained = initiated or instructed, probably in the worship of Jehovah. Compare Genesis 12:5 ; Genesis 15:2 ; Genesis 18:19 ; Genesis 24:12-29 ; and Proverbs 22:6 (same word). 318 = a multiple of 6, the No. of "man". See App-10 . Dan. Not the Dan of Judges 18:29 , but a city in N. of Palestine long before the Danites changed the name of Laish. read more
ABRAM RESCUES LOT"And there came one that escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew: now he dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, the brother of Eschol, and the brother of Aner; and these were confederate with Abram. 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.""These were confederate with Abram ..." Nothing is said of the numbers of soldiers Abram's three confederates were able to... read more
Genesis 14:14. He armed his trained servants— The original word for armed, ירק iarek, may signify to lead or draw forth to battle; but Houbigant thinks the Samaritan reading the true one, in agreement with the LXX, which renders it ηριθμησε, he numbered; and might be rendered in French, says he, faire la revue, to make a review. He renders it in his translation recensuit. According to this, Abram made a review of his servants or domestics, who had been born in his house, and whom he had trained... read more
14. And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants—domestic slaves, such as are common in Eastern countries still and are considered and treated as members of the family. If Abram could spare three hundred and eighteen slaves and leave a sufficient number to take care of the flocks, what a large establishment he must have had. read more
Abram’s war with four kings 14:1-16 A major significance of this literary unit is that it describes two more challenges to God’s faithfulness and Abram’s faith. So far Abram had to contend with several barriers to God fulfilling His promises to him. His wife was barren, he had to leave the land, his life was in danger, and his anticipated heir showed no interest in the Promised Land. Now he became involved in a war and consequently became the target of retaliation by four powerful kings. read more
Abram could have lost his possessions and his life by getting involved in war with the Mesopotamian kings. He also set himself up as the target for retaliation. Almost everyone in the ancient Near East practiced retaliation, and it is still a major factor in the continuing political turmoil that characterizes the Middle East to this day. The "ancient Near East" is a term that applies to the whole eastern Mediterranean world in ancient times. The "Middle East" is a term that refers to the area... read more
The Battle of the Kings, and the Capture and Rescue of LotChedorlaomer, king of Elam, had subdued the Canaanites of the Jordan valley some years before the events narrated in this chapter. The latter had rebelled, and a campaign for their fresh subjugation was undertaken, which included a general punitive expedition from Syria to the Gulf of Akaba.Within the last few years Assyrian tablets of great antiquity have been found, throwing considerable, if indirect, light on this narrative, and... read more
(14) Abram . . . armed . . . —Heb., led forth, or literally, let them loose, let them pour forth, the verb indicating both their number and also their haste. The word for trained comes from the same root as the name Enoch, for which see note on Genesis 4:17. As Abram’s cattle would often be exposed to danger from the Amalekites, who throughout the Biblical history appear as a race of inveterate plunderers, there is no reason to doubt that these men were trained and practised in the use of... read more
Melchisedek the Uncanonical Genesis 14:18 A deeply veiled figure. The force of the figure lies in its background; its mystery in its mean surroundings. Melchisedek was a Canaanite. His birthplace was uncanonical. He ruled with wonderfully despotic power. What gave this man such a marvellous power? His personal sanctity. Abraham represents earth; Melchisedek is the High Priest of heaven. I. Where did Melchisedek get that priesthood which he was certainly credited with possessing. Melchisedek... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 14:1-24
Click image for full-size versionAbram meets Melchizedek (14:1-24)Lot’s selfish choice brought him unexpected trouble. In the Dead Sea region where Lot lived, a group of city-states rebelled against their Mesopotamian overlords and brought war upon themselves. Lot was captured and his possessions plundered (14:1-12). Abram was in no danger but he was concerned for Lot. With a fighting force of over three hundred from his large household, along with others from neighbouring households, he... read more