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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 14:23

That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet ,.... That is, from a thread used in sewing garments to, a shoelatchet, or the string which fastens the shoes to the foot, the least belonging to that; or from the hair lace of the head, to the shoelatchet of the foot; that is, he would take nothing of his from head to foot: the meaning is, that he would not take that which was of the least value and importance that could be conceived of, and which is more clearly expressed by what... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 14:23

From a thread even to a shoelatchet - This was certainly a proverbial mode of expression, the full meaning of which is perhaps not known. Among the rabbinical writers חוט chut , or חוטי chuti , signifies a fillet worn by young women to tie up their hair; taken in this sense it will give a good meaning here. As Abram had rescued both the men and women carried off by the confederate kings, and the king of Sodom had offered him all the goods, claiming only the persons, he answers by... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 14:23

Verse 23 23.That I will not take from a thread even to a shoe - latchet. The Hebrews have an elliptical form of making oath, in which the imprecation of punishment is understood. In some places, the full expression of it occurs in the Scriptures, “The Lord do so to me and more also,” (1 Samuel 14:44.) Since however, it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, in order that the obligation of oaths may be the more binding, this abrupt form of speech admonishes men to reflect... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 14:1-24

The kingdom of God in its relation to the contending powers of this world. I. GOD 'S JUDGMENTS ARE ALREADY BEGINNING TO FALL . War is made by confederate kings or princes against the people of the wicked cities of the plain, who by their propinquity would naturally be leagued together, but by their common rebellion against Chedorlaomer were involved in a common danger. Notice the indication of the future judgment given in the course of the narrative—"the vale of Siddim was full... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 14:17-24

Visited by kings. I. THE KING OF SALEM . 1. His exalted person . Neither a supramundane being, an angel, the Holy Ghost, or Christ; nor one of the early patriarchs, such as Enoch or Shem; but a Canaanitish (Shemite?) prince, whose capital was Salem (Jerusalem), and who united in his person the double function of priest and monarch of his people; probably the last official representative of the primitive religion, who here advances to meet and welcome the new faith in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 14:22-23

Abraham's independent spirit. "And Abraham said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up my hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread even to a shoe latchet," &c.; When Lot chose the plains of Sodom he knew not what trials awaited him there. The king of Sodom was attacked and defeated. He escaped, but many of his subjects were either slaughtered or made captive. Lot was carried away by the invading host. Abraham... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 14:23

That I will not take —literally, if (sc. I shall take); an abbreviation for "May God do so to me, if …!" (cf. 1 Samuel 3:17 ; 2 Samuel 3:35 ). The particle אִם has the force of a negative in adjuration— from a thread even to a shoe-latchet, and that I will not take any thing (literally, and if I shall take anything ) that is thine, —literally, of all that ( sc . belongs) to thee— lest thou shouldest say (literally, and thou shalt not say ), I have... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 14:1-24

- Abram Rescues Lot1. אמרפל 'amrāpel, Amraphel; related: unknown. אלריוך 'aryôk, Ariok, “leonine?” related: ארי 'arı̂y, “a lion:” a name re-appearing in the time of Daniel Daniel 2:14. אלסר 'elāsār Ellasar (related: unknown) is identified with Larsa or Larancha, the Λάρισσα Larissa or Λαράχων Larachōn of the Greeks, now Senkereh, a town of lower Babylonia, between Mugheir (Ur) and Warka (Erek) on the left bank of the Frat. כדרלעמר kedārlā‛omer, Kedorla’omer, was compared by Col.... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 14:22-23

Genesis 14:22-23 . Here observe, 1st, Abram gives to God the same titles that Melchizedek had just now used. It is good to learn of others how to order our speech concerning God, and to imitate those who speak well in divine things. 2d, The ceremony used in this oath; I have lift up my hand In religious swearing, we appeal to God’s knowledge of our truth and sincerity, and imprecate his wrath if we swear falsely; and the “lifting up of the hands” is expressive of both. Lest thou shouldest... read more

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