Genesis 14:5

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 14:5

Genesis 14:5. The Rephaims— The LXX and some others render this, the giants: they dwelt in Ashteroth-Karnaim, which was in Bashan, Deuteronomy 1:4.Joshua 9:10; Joshua 9:10. The word Karnaim signifying horned, some have supposed that this was the city of Ashteroth or Diana, dedicated to the moon, which, is always represented horned. The Zuzims are supposed to have lived in the country afterwards inhabited by the Ammonites, east of Canaan, Deuteronomy 2:20. The Emims joined on the south to the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 14:1-12

The four kings (Genesis 14:1) resided in the eastern part of the Fertile Crescent. They sought to dominate the land of Canaan by subjugating five kings (Genesis 14:2) who lived there. They probably wanted to keep the trade routes between Mesopotamia and Egypt open and under their control. It is interesting that people living around Babylon initiated this first war mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 14:2).Scholars have debated the identity of the Rephaim (Genesis 14:5; cf. Genesis 15:20; literally... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 14:1-16

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

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 14:1-24

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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 14:5

(5) The Rephaims.—Described as an Amorite tribe (Amos 2:9) of great stature, settled in Bashan, where Moses conquered them (Joshua 13:12). We find them also on the other side of Jordan, in Mount Ephraim ( Joshua 17:15), on the western side of Jerusalem (Joshua 15:8; Joshua 18:16; 2 Samuel 5:18; 2 Samuel 5:22), and even among the Philistines (2 Samuel 21:16; 2 Samuel 21:18). In many of these places the word is wrongly translated giants. From this wide dispersion of them we may safely conclude... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 14:1-24

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

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 14:1-24

ABRAM’S RESCUE OF LOTGenesis 14:1-24THIS chapter evidently incorporates a contemporary account of the events recorded. So antique a document was it even when it found its place in this book, that the editor had to modernise some of its expressions that it might be intelligible. The places mentioned were no longer known by the names here preserved-Bela. the vale of Siddim. En-mishpat, the valley of Shaveh, all these names were unknown even to the persons who dwelt in the places once so... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 14:1-24

CHAPTER 14 The First Recorded War and Lot’s Deliverance 1. The battle of the confederacy (Genesis 14:1-10 ) 2. Sodom and Gomorrah spoiled (Genesis 14:11-13 ) 3. Abram’s rescue (Genesis 14:14-16 ) 4. Sodom’s king to meet Abram (Genesis 14:17 ) 5. Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-20 ) 6. The king’s offer and Abram’s answer (Genesis 14:21-24 ) The record of the first war is here foreshadowing the last great warfare still to come. Amraphel, King of Shinar, has been historically located by... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 14:1-24

THE WORLD'S CONFLICT We read now for the first time in scripture of war among nations of the ungodly world. Abram has no part in this. It is recorded mainly because of Lot. Four kings war against five. The names of the four kings have meanings that imply a religious significance, the first one, Amraphel meaning "sayer of darkness," and Shinar meaning "change of the city." Thus false religion can speak in dark, mystical ways with the object of improving (not saving or converting) people. In... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 14:1-24

THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT THE CONFEDERATED KINGS (Genesis 14:1-12 ) How does the Revised Version translate “nations” in Genesis 14:17 In what valley was the battle joined (Genesis 14:3 )? How is that valley now identified? Against what six peoples did Chedorlaomer and his confederates campaign in the fourteenth year (Genesis 14:5-7 )? You will find these peoples located on the east and south of the Dead Sea. Who were victors in this case (Genesis 14:10 )? How did they reward themselves... read more

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