Genesis 14:18-22 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 14:17-20

This paragraph begins with the mention of the respect which the king of Sodom paid to Abram at his return from the slaughter of the kings; but, before a particular account is given of this, the story of Melchizedek is briefly related, concerning whom observe, I. Who he was. He was king of Salem and priest of the most high God; and other glorious things are said of him, Heb. 7:1-10 1. The rabbin, and most of our rabbinical writers, conclude that Melchizedek was Shem the son of Noah, who was... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 14:21-24

We have here an account of what passed between Abram and the king of Sodom, who succeeded him that fell in the battle (Gen. 14:10), and thought himself obliged to do this honour to Abram, in return for the good services he had done him. Here is, I. The king of Sodom's grateful offer to Abram (Gen. 14:21): Give me the soul, and take thou the substance; so the Hebrew reads it. Here he fairly begs the persons, but as freely bestows the goods on Abram. Note, 1. Where a right is dubious and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 14:18

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine ,.... Both the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem say, this is Shem the son of Noah, and which is the sense of the Jewish writers in general, and of many Christian ones; but, though it is highly probable he was living at this time, yet it is not easy to account for it why his name should be changed, or that he should reign in a country in the possession of his brother's son; or that he should meet Abram, and congratulate him on the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 14:19

And he blessed him ,.... Melchizedek blessed Abram, which was one part of his office as a priest, to wish and pray for a blessing on others, see Numbers 6:23 , &c.; and herein typified Christ, who really blesses or confers blessings on all his people, even spiritual blessings, such as redemption, remission of sins, and justifying righteousness, adoption, and eternal life: and said, blessed be Abram of the most high God ; that is, may he be blessed by him who is the most high God,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 14:20

And blessed be the most high God ,.... Let his name be praised, and thanks be given to him for all mercies temporal and spiritual, since all flow from him, and particularly for the mercies Abram and others through him were now made partakers of; for whoever were the instruments, God was the efficient cause, and to him all the glory was to be given: which hath delivered thine enemies into thine hand ; the four kings, who are called Abram's enemies, because the enemies of God and of true... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 14:21

And the king of Sodom said unto Abram ,.... After the conversation between him and Melchizedek was over: give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself ; meaning by "persons" or "souls", as in the original, his own subjects that had been taken and carried away by the four kings, and were now brought back by Abram; and by "the goods", those of his own and his subjects, which their conquerors had spoiled them of, but were now recovered, and which he was very willing Abram should have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 14:22

And Abram said to the king of Sodom ,.... In reply to his request: I have lifted up mine hand unto the Lord ; which was both a gesture of praying and of swearing, and both may be intended here; when he set out on his expedition, it is very probable he prayed to God for success, and swore that if he prospered him, that he would receive no profit or advantage from it to himself; or now in the presence of Melchizedek he lift up his hands and swore that he would take none of the goods he had... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 14:18

And Melchizedek, king of Salem - A thousand idle stories have been told about this man, and a thousand idle conjectures spent on the subject of his short history given here and in Heb. vii. At present it is only necessary to state that he appears to have been as real a personage as Bera, Birsha, or Shinab, though we have no more of his genealogy than we have of theirs. Brought forth bread and wine - Certainly to refresh Abram and his men, exhausted with the late battle and fatigues of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 14:19

And he blessed him - This was a part of the priest's office, to bless in the name of the Lord, for ever. See the form of this blessing, Numbers 6:23-26 ; and for the meaning of the word to bless, see Genesis 2:3 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 14:20

And he gave him tithes - A tenth part of all the spoils he had taken from the confederate kings. These Abram gave as a tribute to the most high God, who, being the possessor of heaven and earth, dispenses all spiritual and temporal favors, and demands the gratitude, and submissive, loving obedience, of all his subjects. Almost all nations of the earth have agreed in giving a tenth part of their property to be employed in religious uses. The tithes were afterwards granted to the Levites for... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 14:17-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 14:21-24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 14:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 14:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 14:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 14:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 14:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 14:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 14:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 14:20

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