Genesis 14:15 kjv

And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

Genesis 14:15 nkjv

He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.

Genesis 14:15 niv

During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.

Genesis 14:15 esv

And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus.

Genesis 14:15 nlt

There he divided his men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer's army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.

Genesis 14 verses

Genesis 14 15 Meaning

Genesis 14:15 describes Abraham's swift and strategic military victory over Chedorlaomer and his allied kings. Abraham, with his trained servants, launched a surprise night attack, divided his forces to create confusion, utterly routed the enemy, and pursued them relentlessly as far as Hobah, demonstrating a decisive and complete triumph that led to the rescue of Lot and the recovery of the captured spoils.

Genesis 14 15 Context

Genesis chapter 14 describes a significant historical event: the War of the Kings. Four Mesopotamian kings, led by Chedorlaomer of Elam, had invaded Canaan, subdued several city-states, and were now returning after a decisive victory over the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the process, Lot, Abraham's nephew, who dwelt in Sodom, was taken captive along with all his possessions. When Abraham learned of Lot's capture (Gen 14:13), he immediately responded with remarkable courage and determination. Verse 14 tells us Abraham armed his "trained men," numbering 318, born in his own house, and pursued the victorious coalition. Verse 15 details the specific military tactics employed by Abraham that led to the swift and overwhelming defeat of the much larger and formidable enemy force. This battle established Abraham as a powerful local figure and demonstrated God's implied blessing on his actions. The subsequent encounter with Melchizedek is a direct consequence of this victory. Historically, this account reflects the volatile political landscape of the Ancient Near East, where small tribal groups could gain ascendancy through shrewd tactics and divine favor, indirectly challenging the might-makes-right philosophy prevalent among surrounding empires.

Genesis 14 15 Word analysis

• And he divided himself: (Hebrew: וַיֵּחָלֵק - wayyēḥālēq from חָלַק ḥālaq - to divide, portion out). This is a Piel (or Hiphal) verb, indicating an active, deliberate, and strategic division of forces. It implies tactical ingenuity, possibly separating his 318 men into multiple smaller units, attacking from different directions simultaneously. This military stratagem maximizes the perceived strength, creates confusion, and causes panic among the enemy, often leading a larger force to believe they are encircled or overwhelmed by a much larger adversary. This was a sophisticated maneuver, showing Abraham's capability beyond that of a mere shepherd.
• against them: Denotes a direct, confrontational engagement with the enemy, emphasizing Abraham's resolve to meet and defeat the kings directly.
• by night: (Hebrew: לַיְלָה - laylāh). A crucial tactical element. Night attacks provide the advantage of surprise, conceal the actual size of the attacking force, and exploit the enemy's reduced visibility and likely complacency. It requires boldness, discipline, and skilled leadership to execute successfully, adding to the brilliance of Abraham's victory. It likely minimized casualties for Abraham's smaller force while maximizing disorientation for the enemy.
• he and his servants: Explicitly states Abraham's direct participation and highlights the combined strength of his household. The "servants" (עֲבָדָיו - ‘avādāyw) refer to the 318 "trained men" (חֲנִיכָיו - ḥǎnîḵāw from Gen 14:14). These were not just slaves, but loyal, armed, and disciplined individuals, probably household-born dependents who had been taught military skills, indicating Abraham's prepared state and strong personal influence over his people.
• and smote them: (Hebrew: וַיַּכֵּם - wayyakkēm from נָכָה nāḵāh - to strike, smite, slay). A strong verb indicating a decisive and crushing defeat. This was not a minor skirmish but a forceful rout where the enemy was decisively overpowered and overcome.
• and pursued them: (Hebrew: וַיִּרְדְּפֵם - wayyird^epē(m) from רָדַף rādaf - to pursue, chase). Signifies the thoroughness of Abraham's victory. The enemy was not merely driven off but chased down and scattered, preventing their regrouping or retaliating. This pursuit secured the recovered goods and captives.
• unto Hobah: (Hebrew: חוֹבָה - Ḥôḇāh). A specific geographical location mentioned as the extent of the pursuit, signifying the great distance Abraham's men traveled in their pursuit, far beyond their home in Mamre. This demonstrates the completeness of the rout and the relentless nature of Abraham's victory.
• which is on the left hand of Damascus: This specifies the direction of Hobah in relation to Damascus, meaning to the "north" of Damascus, as the ancient Hebrew orientation placed east in front, west behind, south on the right, and north on the left. This precision highlights the extensive range of Abraham's expedition and his mastery of the land's geography.

Words-group analysis:

• "And he divided himself...by night": This phrase emphasizes Abraham's astute military tactics, leveraging the cover of darkness and strategic deployment to overcome a numerically superior force, demonstrating brilliant and decisive leadership. It indicates forethought and boldness, traits of a strong military commander.
• "he and his servants, and smote them": This highlights Abraham's direct involvement in the action and the efficacy of his loyal, well-prepared household force. It underscores that the victory was a collective effort under Abraham's personal command, showcasing both his authority and the faithfulness of his retainers.
• "and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus": This signifies the absolute completeness and thoroughness of the victory. The enemy was utterly broken, scattered, and pursued over a vast distance, ensuring that they would not pose an immediate threat. This demonstrates Abraham's commitment to fully achieve his objective of rescuing Lot and recovering everything.

Genesis 14 15 Bonus section

• The detail of Abraham's "trained men" (חֲנִיכָיו - ḥǎnîḵāw) in Genesis 14:14, though not explicitly in verse 15, is critical to understanding the immediate context. It suggests Abraham's household was not just a domestic unit but a well-prepared and loyal fighting force, capable of disciplined action under his command. The term can imply "disciples" or "instructed ones," signifying more than mere armed servants but men dedicated and taught by Abraham himself.
• The overwhelming victory of Abraham's small force against such a powerful confederation, which had just swept through the region, hints at divine assistance. While the text doesn't explicitly state God fought for Abraham, the remarkable success against such odds points to a divine hand guiding Abraham's strategy and strengthening his men. It subtly contrasts with the might of pagan kings, showing the power behind a God-fearing patriarch.
• Abraham's proactive intervention for Lot stands out as a demonstration of "faith by works" (as discussed in James). His faith was not passive; it spurred him to bold and strategic action in reliance upon the Most High God, even when facing a seemingly impossible military challenge.

Genesis 14 15 Commentary

Genesis 14:15 showcases Abraham not merely as a man of faith dwelling in tents but as a powerful and astute military leader. His strategy of dividing his forces for a surprise night attack, coupled with the relentless pursuit, was a testament to his tactical brilliance and the discipline of his 318 trained household men. This was not a miraculous act in the sense of God doing all the fighting, but a clear instance of divine blessing on human wisdom, courage, and action. Abraham's quick response to Lot's captivity highlights his love for his family and his resolve to protect what was his. The disproportionate victory, achieved against a coalition that had just conquered significant territories, implicitly underscores that God was with Abraham, enabling a small, patriarch-led force to defeat mighty kings. The extensive pursuit to Hobah, far north of Damascus, emphasizes the completeness of the victory, ensuring the enemy was truly routed and prevented from re-gathering, thus fully achieving the mission of rescue and recovery. This event confirms Abraham's standing as a force to be reckoned with, both locally and internationally.