14:1–24 Abram rescues Lot

The comfortable affluence of Lot was disturbed by invasion. Four kings, led by Kedorlaomer of Elam (part of Iran), conquered the Jordan valley. Thirteen years later a rebellion by the cities of the plain led to another invasion by the same eastern coalition. The armies of Sodom and Gomorrah were defeated, the cities were sacked and Lot was taken captive.

But Abram, leading 318 men, was able to defeat these foreign armies, rescue all those taken captive and return their pillaged property. This was a striking demonstration that God was on Abram’s side. But not everyone acknowledged it. The king of Sodom, who had most to be grateful for, offered no word of thanks but brusquely demanded the return of his people. Abram protested that he had no intention of profiting from Sodom’s misfortune (21–24).

Melchizedek, the priest-king of Salem (probably Jerusalem), on the other hand, received Abram royally and laid on a banquet for him. Melchizedek then blessed Abram in the name of God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. Responding to this kindly reception, Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the booty he had taken (20).

The attitudes of Melchizedek and the king of Sodom are deliberately contrasted. They exemplify the two kinds of reaction to Abram predicted in 12:3. Melchizedek is one of those who bless Abram, whereas the king of Sodom clearly disdains (the niv’s curse is too strong) him. Consequently, Melchizedek could expect to be blessed by God, whereas the king of Sodom could look for a curse. Already (cf. 13:13) the fate of the city of Sodom (ch. 19) is being hinted at.

Genesis does not explain what blessing Melchizedek received as a reward for blessing Abram. However, Ps. 110:4 mentions God’s oath to David ‘You are a priest for ever, in the order of Melchizedek’, implying that Melchizedek’s memory had been venerated in Jerusalem as a forerunner of the Davidic line. The NT sees Melchizedek as a ‘type’ of Christ, a forerunner of the Messiah. His high status was acknowledged by Abram giving him a tenth of what he had taken (Heb. 5–7). Apart from these few verses, however, Melchizedek never appears again in Genesis. He stands simply as a reminder that all those who acknowledged God’s hand at work in Abram would themselves experience blessing.

Gordon J. Wenham, “Genesis,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 71.

14:17–24 On the way back from defeating the kings and recovering the captives, Abram is met by the king of Sodom, who is accompanied by Melchizedek, king of Salem (see note on v. 18). Melchizedek, identified as a priest of God Most High, immediately offers a blessing to Abram, giving God the glory for his success. The introduction of Melchizedek provides an opportunity for Abram to demonstrate that his military offensive was not motivated by personal gain. As an answer to Melchizedek’s blessing, Abram gives Melchizedek a 10th of the spoil he had recovered (vv. 16, 20), recognizing God’s role in his victory. The king of Sodom offers Abram all the plunder taken from Sodom as a reward for his successful venture, but Abram rejects the proposal because it implies dependence on someone or something other than God alone.

John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Ge 14:17–24.