Genesis 14:22

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 14:22

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 14:22

I have lift up mine hand - The primitive mode of appealing to God, and calling him to witness a particular transaction; this no doubt generally obtained among the faithful till circumcision, the sign of the covenant, was established. After this, in swearing, the hand was often placed on the circumcised part; see Genesis 24:2 , Genesis 24:9 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 14:22

Verse 22 22.And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand, etc (368) This ancient ceremony was very appropriate to give expression to the force and nature of an oath. For by raising the hand towards heaven, we show that we appeal to God as a witness, and also as an avenger, if we fail to keep our oath. Formerly, indeed, they raised their hands in giving votes; whence the Greeks derive the word ( χειροτονεῖν,) (369) which signifies to decree: but in the rite of swearing, the... 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

And Abram said unto the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand —a common form of swearing ( Deuteronomy 32:40 ; Ezekiel 20:5 , Ezekiel 20:6 ; Daniel 12:7 ; Revelation 10:5 , Revelation 10:6 ; cf. Virg; ' AE n.,' 12.195)— unto the Lord ( Jehovah ; which, occurring in the present document, proves the antiquity of its use as a designation of the Deity), the most high God ,— El-Elion ; thus identifying Jehovah with the God of Melchisedeck, and perhaps of the king of... 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

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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