Genesis 14:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way.

NIV: The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away.

NASB: Then they took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food supply, and departed.

CSB: The four kings took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food and went on.

NLT: The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home, taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies.

KJV: And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.

NKJV: Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way.

The five kings of the city-states grouped near the southern end of the Dead Sea, including Sodom and Gomorrah, took their stand against their eastern overlords. They lost. In fact, their loss seems to be so thorough that the Bible makes no mention of the battle itself. Instead, the narrative skips directly to the aftermath, which includes the rebellious forces fleeing into tar pits and hiding in the wilderness. The four kings of the east literally sent the forces of the five rebellious kings running.

Afterwards, the forces of the eastern kings looted the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for all their possessions and provisions, leaving the people destitute. Among those taken in this plunder are Lot, the nephew of Abram, who has recently moved into Sodom (Genesis 13:10–12; Genesis 14:12).

Genesis 14:1–16 is an action-packed story of war between ancient city-states. Four kings from the east arrive to put down a rebellion by five kings from cities around the Dead Sea. After defeating them, the eastern kings loot Sodom, carrying off Abram's nephew Lot and all he owns in the process. Abram gathers his own small army, along with three Amorite allies, and gives chase. They catch the enemy in the northern reaches of Canaan, defeat them, and recapture all the plunder, including Lot.

This short chapter is packed with action, adventure, and war. An army from the east comes to reestablish its rule over the kings of the city-states of Canaan. Five kings from the Dead Sea region rebel, are defeated, and Sodom is looted. Abram's nephew Lot is captured and taken away. Abram and his own small army chase down the eastern kings, defeating them and recapturing all that was lost. Returning home, Abram is met by a mysterious king and priest of God Most High called Melchizedek.

At first, Genesis 14 seems unrelated to the previous chapter. Four kings from the east come to wage war against the kings and people groups of Canaan, including five kings from cities around the Dead Sea. The eastern kings defeat all challengers, looting Sodom and carrying off Lot and his entire family. Now Abram reappears in the story to chase down the departing army, defeat them in a single night, and retrieve all that was lost. On the way home, he is met by a mysterious king and priest of God Most High known as Melchizedek.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 5/12/2024 3:16:46 AM