Genesis 14:14 kjv
And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
Genesis 14:14 nkjv
Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
Genesis 14:14 niv
When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
Genesis 14:14 esv
When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
Genesis 14:14 nlt
When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer's army until he caught up with them at Dan.
Genesis 14 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference (Short note) |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 13:8 | And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee... for we be brethren. | Abram's strong familial bond with Lot. |
| Gen 15:1 | After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward. | God as Abram's protector after the battle. |
| Deut 20:4 | For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. | God's divine assistance in battle for His people. |
| Josh 24:15 | ...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. | Emphasis on faithful household leadership. |
| Judg 7:7 | And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand... | God uses small numbers for great victories. |
| Judg 18:29 | And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of the city was Laish at the first. | Explains "Dan" as a later name for the original Laish. |
| 1 Sam 14:6 | And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few. | God's power is not limited by human numbers. |
| Psa 33:16 | There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. | Victory is not dependent on military size. |
| Psa 144:1 | Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: | God's training and empowering for battle. |
| Prov 24:11 | If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; | Moral obligation to rescue the endangered. |
| Prov 27:6 | Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. | Loyalty in action from those close. |
| Matt 28:19 | Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: | Discipleship/training implies active teaching (echoes "trained servants"). |
| Luke 19:10 | For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. | Principle of actively seeking and rescuing the lost. |
| Eph 6:10-17 | Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God... | Spiritual arming for conflict (echoes "armed"). |
| Heb 11:8 | By faith Abram, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed... | Abram's character of faith and obedience. |
| Heb 11:34 | Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. | Faith enabling valiant fighting and turning armies. |
| 1 Tim 5:8 | But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. | Importance of providing for one's own household/family. |
| Col 4:1 | Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. | Relationship between masters and servants in a household. |
| Isa 50:4 | The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary... | Spiritual application of being "trained" or instructed. |
| Num 14:9 | ...only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not. | Courage to face stronger foes with God. |
| Josh 1:9 | Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. | Command for strength and courage against enemies. |
| Gal 3:6 | Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. | Abram's action stemming from faith. |
Genesis 14 verses
Genesis 14 14 Meaning
Genesis 14:14 recounts Abram's decisive and courageous action to rescue his nephew Lot after learning of his captivity during a conflict between kings. He mobilized his highly loyal and specially trained men, a force of three hundred and eighteen, born within his own household, and relentlessly pursued the captors, engaging them far north to the territory of Dan, achieving victory and recovering Lot along with the plunder. This verse highlights Abram's profound commitment to family, his unexpected military prowess, and a swift, divinely empowered response in a time of crisis.Genesis 14 14 Context
Genesis chapter 14 describes the initial "world war" of biblical history, involving four eastern kings led by Chedorlaomer conquering five Canaanite kings in the valley of Siddim, where Sodom and Gomorrah were located. Lot, Abram's nephew, resided in Sodom and was consequently swept away with the captured inhabitants and plunder. Upon hearing this dire news, Abram, though primarily a pastoralist, immediately transitioned into military action. Verse 14 initiates his decisive counter-offensive to rescue his kin, setting the stage for his subsequent meeting with Melchizedek. This action demonstrates Abram's significant influence, resources, and character beyond being solely a nomadic patriarch.Genesis 14 14 Word analysis
- Abram (אַבְרָם - Abram): The original name of the patriarch, meaning "exalted father." He is the foundational figure through whom God's covenant promises of land, nation, and blessing for all nations are initiated (Gen 12:1-3).
- heard (שָׁמַע - shama): Implies not merely perceiving sound, but actively understanding, comprehending, and leading to an immediate, obedient response. It denotes he paid close attention and took the information seriously.
- brother (אָח - ach): While Lot was Abram's nephew (Gen 11:27, 12:5), the Hebrew term "ach" is frequently used more broadly to signify close relatives, kinsmen, or tribal confederates. This highlights the deep familial obligation Abram felt, extending beyond direct siblinghood.
- taken captive (שֶׁבִי - shevi): Refers to being carried off as a prisoner of war or enslaved. It signifies a profound violation, loss of freedom, and often includes the taking of possessions, demanding an urgent response from kin.
- armed (וַיָּרֶק - vayyareq): Derived from a root meaning "to empty, pour out." In a military context, it signifies "mustering," "leading out" (like emptying a scabbard for a sword, hence preparing for battle), or equipping troops. It implies a swift, decisive call to action and preparation.
- trained servants (חֲנִיכָיו - hanichav): This term suggests more than just slaves; these were individuals "initiated," "dedicated," "experienced," or "apprenticed." They were members of Abram's household who had likely been brought up, instructed, and trained by him, signifying a high degree of loyalty and skill.
- born in his own house (יְלִידֵי בֵיתוֹ - yelidey beitho): This phrase emphasizes the deep, intrinsic loyalty and commitment of these men. They were not hired mercenaries or recent acquisitions but individuals raised and deeply embedded within Abram's patriarchal family structure, creating a trusted and cohesive fighting unit.
- three hundred and eighteen (שְׁלֹשָׁה מֵאוֹת וּשְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר - shloshah me'ot ushmonah asar): This precise number suggests historical accuracy in the ancient narrative. While a small force compared to four kings' combined armies, its specificity highlights Abram's organized strength and subtly points to the extraordinary nature of his victory, hinting at divine assistance, a theme echoed elsewhere in the Bible (Judg 7). Interestingly, some Jewish traditions connect the numerical value (gematria) of the Hebrew name of Abram's trusted servant Eliezer to 318, leading to interpretive midrashim.
- pursued them (וַיִּרְדֹּף - vayyirdof): Indicates a rapid, vigorous, and determined chase, demonstrating Abram's resolve to overtake the enemy and recover Lot.
- unto Dan (עַד־דָּן - ad Dan): This geographical marker specifies the extent of the pursuit. Historically, the city in this location was known as Laish. Its renaming to Dan occurred later when the tribe of Dan conquered it (Judg 18:29). This is likely an anachronistic update by a later scribe, common in ancient texts, to ensure the audience could identify the location by its more current name. It emphasizes the significant distance Abram's force traveled to secure the rescue.
Words-group analysis
- "And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive": This opening clause highlights Abram's moral imperative and immediate response to family distress. The act of "hearing" implies active reception and comprehension of the severity of Lot's situation, compelling swift action. It underscores a key aspect of covenant relationships – reciprocal care and protection.
- "he armed his trained servants, born in his own house": This phrase reveals Abram's preparedness and the unique nature of his fighting force. "Armed" implies deliberate, strategic preparation. The descriptor "trained servants, born in his own house" differentiates them from casual laborers or mercenaries. It points to a cohesive, loyal, and disciplined household army, embodying a blend of deep trust and dedicated training, making them exceptionally effective for their size.
- "three hundred and eighteen": The exact number signifies the tangible, organized nature of Abram's military capability. In the context of the battle of kings, it sets up a dynamic of numerical inferiority that implicitly highlights divine empowerment for the unexpected victory that follows, underscoring that victory belongs to the Lord regardless of overwhelming odds.
- "and pursued them unto Dan": This denotes the determination, vigor, and ultimate success of Abram's expedition. The relentless pursuit "unto Dan," a significant distance, emphasizes Abram's unwavering commitment to retrieving Lot and his property, showcasing his active faith and military tenacity.