Genesis 14:18-24

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 14:23

Verse 23 23.That I will not take from a thread even to a shoe - latchet. The Hebrews have an elliptical form of making oath, in which the imprecation of punishment is understood. In some places, the full expression of it occurs in the Scriptures, “The Lord do so to me and more also,” (1 Samuel 14:44.) Since however, it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, in order that the obligation of oaths may be the more binding, this abrupt form of speech admonishes men to reflect... 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 14:18

And Melchisedeck . " King of righteousness" ( Hebrews 7:2 ); an indication that the Canaanitish language was Shemitie, having been probably 'adopted from the original Shemite inhabitants of the country. Not a titular designation, like Augustus, Pharaoh, or Malek-ol-adel ( rexjustus ) of the Mohammedan kings (Cajetan), but the name of a person; neither an angel (Origen), nor the Holy Ghost (Hieracas), nor some great Divine power (the Melchisedecians), all of which interpretations are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 14:18-20

A king-priest. "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed Abraham," &c.; When the king of Sodom was beaten in a war with Chedorlaomer, Lot was involved in the overthrow. Chedorlaomer was a warrior of great power, and his very name was terrible. Five confederate kings had in vain resisted him with his three auxiliaries. He whom kings could not oppose the simple patriarch Abraham, with armed herdsmen, will... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 14:19

And he blessed him (in which act appears his distinctively sacerdotal character), and said (the form of the benediction is poetical, consisting of two parallel stanzas), Blessed be Abram —so Isaac blessed Jacob ( Genesis 27:27 ), and Jacob Joseph ( Genesis 48:15 ), conveying in each case a Divine bone-diction— of the most high God — לְ after a passive verb indicating the efficient cause— possessor —so Onkelos and Calvin; but koneh, from kanah, to erect, set up, hence found... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 14:19

Melchizedek blessing Abraham. "And he blessed him, and said, "Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth." Wherever in Scripture Melchizedek is spoken of, it is as a type of Christ ( Psalms 110:4 ; Hebrews 5:1-14 ; Hebrews 6:1-20 ; Hebrews 7:1-28 .). We may so regard him here, and consider his act in its typical light. Outwardly the transaction was of little mark. A band of men under Chedorlaomer carried off Lot, along with other spoil, from Sodom.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 14:20

And blessed be the most high God (cf. Genesis 9:1-29 :56), who hath delivered — miggen , a word peculiar to poetry— nathan (cf. Proverbs 4:9 ; Hosea 11:8 )— thine enemies — tsarecha, also a poetical expression— 'ōyeb (cf. Deuteronomy 32:27 ; Job 16:9 ; Psalms 81:15 )— into thy hand. And he —not Melchisedeck (Jewish interpreters), but Abram (Josephus, LXX ; Jonathan, Hebrews 7:6 )— gave him (not Abram, but Melchisedeck) tithes "tenths." These, being the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 14:20

The Church militant. I. THE ENEMIES OF THE CHURCH . Like Abram's— 1. Numerous. 2. Formidable. 3. Exulting. II. THE TRIUMPH OF THE CHURCH . Like Abram's— 1. Certain. 2. Complete. 3. Final. III. THE THANKSGIVING OF THE CHURCH . Like Abram's— 1. Due to God most high. 2. Offered through the priest of the most high God. 3. Expressed in self-consecration to the service of God.— W . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 14:21

And the king of Sodom (who, though first coming, appears to have retired in favor of the greater personage, Melchisedeck, and to have witnessed the interview between him and Abram, but who now, on its termination, advances— said unto Abram ,—perhaps anticipating that like donations from the spoils might be made to him as to Melchisedeck, in which case he evinced a remarkable degree of generosity— Give me the persons —literally, the souls, i.e. those of my people whom you have recovered... read more

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