Genesis 14:17 NKJV,NLT

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 14:17

"And the king of Sodom went out to meet him, after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, at the vale of Shaveh (the same is the King's Vale)."It should be noted how skillfully the narrative is written in order to stress the great importance of Melchizedek. The king of Sodom evidently arrived first, but he is kept in the background while the far more important meeting with Melchizedek is recounted."The King's Vale ..." This and many other expressions in... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 14:17

Genesis 14:17. And the king of Sodom, &c.— After Abram's return with conquest, the recovered captives, and the spoil, Bera the king of Sodom, Gen 14:2 and Melchizedek the king of Salem, went out to meet him, at a place called the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale; probably so called from the event of the kings' meeting here. If this valley be the same with that mentioned, 2Sa 18:18 called also the valley of Jehoshaphat, Joel 3:2, it is very probable that Salem, whereof Melchizedek... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 14:17

The "valley of Shaveh" was near Jerusalem (the "Salem" of Genesis 14:18). It may have been the Kidron Valley immediately east of the city or some other valley not far away. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 14:17-24

Abram’s meeting with two kings 14:17-24This section records an important decision Abram had to make after he returned victoriously from his battle with the Mesopotamian 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 14:17

(17) The slaughter.—Heb., the smiting, that is, the defeat of Chedorlaomer.The valley of Shaven.—That is, the valley of the plain (see on Genesis 14:5). It was the place where Absalom erected his pillar (2 Samuel 18:18), and lay on the northern side of Jerusalem, probably where the Kedron valley widens out. Its other name, “the king’s dale,” may have been given it from this meeting of the kings of Salem and Sodom with the victorious Abram; but Onkelos, with far greater probability, considers... 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