Genesis 14:16 kjv

And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

Genesis 14:16 nkjv

So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.

Genesis 14:16 niv

He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.

Genesis 14:16 esv

Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.

Genesis 14:16 nlt

Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives.

Genesis 14 verses

Genesis 14 16 Meaning

Genesis 14:16 describes the complete and successful outcome of Abram's military campaign. After routing the confederacy of kings who had captured Lot and plundered Sodom, Abram meticulously recovered everything that had been lost. This included all the seized property and provisions, Lot himself along with all of Lot's possessions, and importantly, the women and other people who had been taken captive. It signifies a full restoration and a victory orchestrated through divine assistance.

Genesis 14 16 Context

Genesis chapter 14 describes a significant early event in the life of Abram (later Abraham). It begins with a regional war among Mesopotamian and Canaanite kings, culminating in a confederacy of four northern kings defeating five southern kings in the Valley of Siddim (later the Salt Sea). In this conflict, Sodom and Gomorrah are plundered, and their inhabitants, including Lot (Abram's nephew, who chose to settle near Sodom), are taken captive. Upon hearing of Lot's capture, Abram, with a relatively small but highly trained household army of 318 men, pursues the victorious kings. Through a daring night raid and pursuit, Abram defeats them, leading to the full recovery of all the plunder and captives. Verse 16 specifically highlights the success of this mission, serving as a preamble to Abram's encounter with Melchizedek, which is of profound theological significance, validating Abram's righteous and successful endeavor. Historically, such campaigns were common in the ancient Near East, with kings leading forces to assert dominance and take spoil. Abram's campaign, however, stands out for its limited force, swift victory, and comprehensive recovery, pointing to divine intervention and his selfless character.

Genesis 14 16 Word analysis

• And he brought back (וַיָּשֶׁב - wa-yāshév): The Hebrew verb shuv means "to turn, return, restore." The Piel conjugation here (wayāshev) emphasizes causing something to return or bringing something back. It indicates an active, successful effort by Abram to recover what was lost, underscoring the completion and success of his mission. It's not just a general returning, but an intentional restoration.
• all the goods (אֶת־כָּל־הָרְכֻשׁ - et-kol-ha-r'khush): "All" (kol) emphasizes totality. R'khush refers to valuable property, especially possessions or livestock acquired. This includes what was initially plundered from Sodom and Gomorrah. Abram’s refusal to keep any of it in verse 23 emphasizes his reliance solely on God's provision.
• and also brought back (וְגַם־אֶת־לוֹט אָחִיו וְאֶת־רְכֻשׁוֹ - v'gam-et-Lot akhív v'et-r'khushó): The repetition of "also" (gam) highlights the personal nature of the rescue. Lot is Abram’s "brother" (אָחִיו - akhív, meaning kinsman or relative, here specifically nephew). The inclusion of "his goods" (רְכֻשׁוֹ - r'khushó) confirms Lot's full restoration of property, despite his unwise dwelling choice. This underlines Abram’s unwavering familial loyalty and commitment to his relative.
• and the women as well as the people (וְגַם אֶת־הַנָּשִׁים וְאֶת־הָעָם - v'gam et-ha-nāshím v'et-hā-'ām): The specific mention of "the women" (הַנָּשִׁים - ha-nashim) and "the people" (הָעָם - ha-'ām) shows the completeness of the rescue operation. It indicates that all individuals, irrespective of their role or gender, who had been taken captive, were liberated and restored. This humane aspect is a stark contrast to typical ancient warfare practices where captives would often become slaves or be killed. It reflects Abram’s righteousness and God's character through him.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his kinsman Lot and his goods": This phrase emphasizes a thorough, two-pronged recovery—material wealth and Lot’s personal safety and possessions. It demonstrates the meticulousness and completeness of Abram's actions, ensuring no part of what was lost remained unrecovered.
  • "and the women as well as the people": This adds another layer to the full restoration. It stresses the release of the human element, not just property. This detail highlights the humanitarian aspect of Abram's victory and shows his concern for all life caught in the conflict. This is critical in a time when conquered people, especially women, often faced harsh fates.

Genesis 14 16 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "goods" used here, rechesh (רְכֻשׁ), specifically denotes wealth or movable property acquired, often implying an increase in one's possessions or those gathered through purchase or capture. It contrasts with shalal (שָׁלָל), which specifically refers to "booty" or "plunder" taken in war. The fact that Abram recovered the "rechesh" (the original possessions), not merely shalal (general plunder from the battlefield), signifies a more complete restoration of property to its rightful owners, or in this case, the specific goods that belonged to Lot and the inhabitants of Sodom. This distinction subtly reinforces Abram's character as a deliverer, not a plunderer, aligning with his later rejection of the spoils of war. This entire account also subtly introduces the concept of warfare conducted with divine backing for righteous causes, foreshadowing future battles of Israel where God fights on their behalf.

Genesis 14 16 Commentary

Genesis 14:16 concludes Abram’s remarkable and decisive intervention against the eastern kings, emphasizing the overwhelming success of his mission. This verse acts as the victorious exclamation point following Abram’s bold pursuit. It signifies total restoration – not just of inanimate "goods," but vitally, of "Lot his kinsman, and his goods, and the women, as well as the people." This full recovery testifies to God’s blessing upon Abram and the justice of his cause. The precision with which everything is itemized points to Abram's diligence and integrity, further emphasized by his subsequent refusal to take spoil (v. 23). This victory is not simply military; it is a manifestation of divine power working through Abram's faith and righteous intent to deliver the oppressed and restore what was wrongfully taken. It portrays Abram not merely as a nomad, but as a formidable man of God, capable of delivering justice and protecting the vulnerable. This deliverance also paves the way for the profound encounter with Melchizedek, highlighting the spiritual significance of Abram's actions, as the High Priest recognized God’s hand in this triumph. Practically, this verse illustrates that when we step out in faith and courage to help others, especially family, God can grant us supernatural success, even against seemingly insurmountable odds.