Free Bible Commentary
“Genesis 14:13-16”
Categories: Genesis“Then a fugitive came and told Abram the Hebrew. Now he was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner, and these were allies with Abram. When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot with his possessions, and also the women, and the people.”
---End of Scripture verses---
“What are the purposes of Scripture in featuring this story? Undoubtedly, its primary motive is to bring into prominence new facets of Abram's character. The one who displayed fear and evasiveness in Egypt now shows himself to be decisive and courageous in the promised land. The man of peace knows how to exhibit skill and heroism in battle. He who experienced his nephew's estrangement unhesitatingly demonstrates self-sacrificing loyalty to him in his hour of need. Abram is a military hero, but he is not glorified as such. He does not initiate the war—others do—and he is drawn into it, acquitting himself magnificently against enormous odds. Notwithstanding the wealth of detail recorded in the chapter, there is little about the war itself—nothing about the size of the opposing foreign armies, the weapons deployed, the mode of transportation, the number of casualties, or the content of the booty—none of the items that are the staple ingredients of ancient Near Eastern war chronicles. Instead, the story serves to emphasize the virtues of loyalty to family, the redeeming of captives, the disdain of material reward, and faith in the power of the few against the many.” (Nahum Sarna)
“Abram the Hebrew...” (verse 13) This is the first appearance of the word “Hebrew” in Holy Scripture and the only time this phrase is used to describe Abram. The word means, “one from beyond,” and could have been a nickname for Abram, the foreigner from beyond the Euphrates River, given to him by the natives of the land of Canaan whom he lived among. But it appears to me, in the current context, to be a title given by the Spirit-inspired author of Genesis, and is much more likely a patriarchal name derived from his ancestor Eber, the grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:24; 11:14). A “fugitive,” one who had escaped from the battle with his life and freedom, traveled to the “oaks of Mamre” where Abram was staying, to inform him of the situation with his nephew Lot.
“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive" (verse 14), he mustered together an army to pursue and overthrow the captors of his “relative”. This militia included “trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen,” and also “Mamre the Amorite,” and his brothers “Eshcol and...Aner” who “were allies with Abram”(verses 13 and 24). The Hebrew term used for “allies” literally means “lords of a covenant.” These men formed a pact with one another to provide for their mutual defense in case of unwelcome hostility from outsiders. The 318 men born in Abram's house were servants born of servants, which were much more like family than slaves, and much more trustworthy than hired hands. They pursued the aggressors “as far as Dan,” the northernmost extremity of what would eventually be the land of Israel.
“He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.” (verse 15) “The large armies fielded by the coalition of kings had just completed a long and exhausting campaign. They did not expect to have to fight again and were unprepared for an attack. They encamped for the night, since armies did not generally march after sunset in the ancient world. For his part, Abram had all the advantages of using fresh troops and of a night engagement against an unwary, battle-weary, depleted enemy. By dividing his strike forces and simultaneously attacking two sides, he was able to achieve complete surprise and so neutralize the effectiveness of the great numerical superiority enjoyed by the coalition of kings.” (Nahum Sarna) Of course, all this strategizing and outmaneuvering would have been completely ineffective had not the Lord been with Abram to strengthen him, protect him, and curse those who cursed him!
“He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot with his possessions, and also the women, and the people.” (verse 16) It greatly uplifts the hopes and hearts of good and honest people when the good guys win and the story has a happy ending! God, through Abram, rescued his nephew and everyone who was with him and all their earthly belongings. This gave Lot a fresh start and a bright outlook after all hope appeared to be lost. Unfortunately for him, he did not use his second chance as an opportunity to do some serious soul-searching, reevaluate his choice of living arrangements, and come out from among the exceedingly wicked men of Sodom. But the real story here is the bravery, selflessness and righteousness of Abraham, the forefather of our faith and the paragon of human faithfulness!
Please read Genesis 14:17-24 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
