Genesis 14:17 kjv

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.

Genesis 14:17 nkjv

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley), after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him.

Genesis 14:17 niv

After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).

Genesis 14:17 esv

After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).

Genesis 14:17 nlt

After Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and all his allies, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).

Genesis 14 verses

Genesis 14 17 Meaning

Genesis 14:17 records the first encounter between Abram (later Abraham) and the king of Sodom. This meeting takes place immediately after Abram's triumphant military return, having rescued his nephew Lot and recovered all the spoils and captives from the formidable coalition led by Kedorlaomer. The verse pinpoints the location of this significant meeting as the Valley of Shaveh, which is explicitly identified as the King's Valley. This pivotal moment not only highlights the aftermath of Abram's divinely-assisted victory but also sets the stage for critical ethical decisions concerning the war spoils and introduces the extraordinary figure of Melchizedek.

Genesis 14 17 Context

Genesis chapter 14 describes a significant military conflict in Canaan. A powerful coalition of four eastern kings, led by Kedorlaomer, had for twelve years dominated the city-states of the Jordan Plain, including Sodom and Gomorrah. In the thirteenth year, these cities rebelled. The eastern kings launched a swift and devastating punitive campaign, conquering several groups before defeating the five rebellious kings of the plain. In this defeat, the king of Sodom was routed, and his city's people and goods, including Lot, Abram's nephew, were taken captive.

Upon learning of Lot's capture, Abram, renowned for his peaceful disposition as a sojourner living near the oaks of Mamre, swiftly mobilized his small but highly trained private force of 318 men. He pursued the formidable allied kings all the way to Dan and attacked them by night, scattering their forces, recovering all the plunder, and rescuing Lot along with the women and other captives. Verse 17 depicts the immediate aftermath of this stunning victory. The king of Sodom's proactive move to meet Abram underscores the unexpected and overwhelming success of Abram's military endeavor, setting the stage for the dramatic interactions concerning the spoils of war and the subsequent blessing by Melchizedek. This historical setting reflects the constant warfare and shifting power dynamics among various city-states in the ancient Near East.

Genesis 14 17 Word analysis

• And the king of Sodom went out

  • And: Hebrew waw (וַ), a common connective, linking this event directly to Abram's preceding triumph. It shows immediate consequence.
  • the king: Hebrew ha-melekh (הַמֶּלֶךְ). This ruler, later identified as Bera (Gen 14:2), represented a city renowned for its severe wickedness, highlighted multiple times in Genesis. His "going out" signifies recognition of Abram's new authority and a move to negotiate or secure his city's future after defeat.
  • of Sodom: The inclusion of "Sodom" underscores the moral contrast between its ruler and Abram, God's righteous servant. This encounter sets the stage for a critical test of Abram's character, separating him from the worldly ethos of Sodom.
  • went out: Hebrew wayyēṣēʾ (וַיֵּצֵא), implying an active, deliberate initiative from the king of Sodom to engage Abram. This was a formal coming forth, not an accidental meeting.

• to meet him,

  • to meet him: Hebrew liqratô (לִקְרָאתוֹ). This means "to encounter him" or "to go to meet him." It suggests an official reception or a necessary confrontation between the victor and the defeated king. It signifies deference or perhaps an urgent desire to address the issue of the spoils and liberated captives.

• after his return from the slaughter of Kedorlaomer and the kings who were with him,

  • after his return: Hebrew mishūḇō (מִשּׁוּבֹו), denoting the precise timing: immediately after Abram's triumphant journey back from battle. This indicates the immediacy of the meeting, perhaps as the Sodomites became aware of their rescue.
  • the slaughter: Hebrew hakkōt (הַכּוֹת), meaning "the smiting," "the striking," or "the complete defeat." It conveys the decisive and devastating nature of Abram's victory against a powerful confederacy. This was not a minor skirmish but a total routing.
  • of Kedorlaomer and the kings who were with him: Kedorlaomer of Elam was the dominant leader of the conquering confederation. Mentioning the allied kings highlights the vast and intimidating force Abram had single-handedly overcome through divine aid. It emphasizes the scale of Abram's improbable triumph.

• at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).

  • at the Valley of Shaveh: Hebrew bēmeq shāwēh (בְּעֵמֶק שָׁוֵה). "Shaveh" suggests "flat," "plain," or "level." It denotes a specific, recognized geographical feature, a wide open area. Such valleys often served as meeting places, battlefields, or routes for trade.
  • that is, the King's Valley: Hebrew hûʾ ʿēmeq hammelḵeq (הוּא עֵמֶק הַמֶּלֶךְ). This parenthetical explanation is significant. It implies that by the time Genesis was composed, this valley had a long-established association with royalty, suggesting it was a notable public or ceremonial place. In 2 Sam 18:18, Absalom builds a monument in "the King's Valley," often identified with the Kidron Valley near Jerusalem. This subtle geographical detail therefore hints at a connection to future Israelite monarchy and kingship, providentially setting the stage for Melchizedek, the righteous king, in the next verse.

• Word-Groups Analysis

  • "And the king of Sodom went out to meet him": This phrase introduces the central actors of the verse and sets up the dynamic: the defeated wicked king recognizing the victorious servant of God. The king's initiative demonstrates his dependence on Abram.
  • "after his return from the slaughter of Kedorlaomer and the kings who were with him": This provides the immediate context of the encounter. Abram is fresh from an unprecedented victory, making him the dominant figure. The strong word "slaughter" highlights the decisiveness of God's enabling hand through Abram's military might, which was remarkable given the disparity in forces.
  • "at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley)": The chosen location for this encounter carries symbolic weight. It suggests a prominent public arena for important negotiations. Its alternative name, "King's Valley," ironically underscores the presence of a morally bankrupt earthly king, while simultaneously preparing the scene for the divine king-priest, Melchizedek, and linking Abram's story to significant royal landscapes of the future.

Genesis 14 17 Bonus section

• The detail of "returning from the slaughter" underscores Abram's role as a warrior of God, capable of delivering justice, even against overwhelming odds, a facet often overshadowed by his more familiar role as the father of faith.
• This verse precedes and therefore sets up the divine encounter with Melchizedek, placing the encounter with the human, unrighteous king of Sodom directly before the meeting with the mysterious divine-human king-priest. This sequence highlights the stark spiritual and moral contrasts.
• The use of "King's Valley" (as a contemporary gloss by the narrator) reflects the author's awareness of later Israelite geographical and historical significance, subtly connecting the ancient patriarchal narrative to the future land and its ruling dynamics.
• Abram’s military feat in this chapter is his only recorded full-scale battle. This event confirms that God not only blesses Abram personally but also enables him to exercise extraordinary power and influence in the land promised to his descendants.

Genesis 14 17 Commentary

Genesis 14:17 marks the formal transition from Abram's daring military rescue to the socio-political and theological aftermath of his victory. The king of Sodom's immediate and purposeful act of "going out to meet him" signifies the magnitude of Abram's triumph and his emergence as a dominant force in the region, recognized even by those he rescued. This moment presents Abram with a crucial test of integrity and dependence on God rather than human systems or wealth.

The setting, the "Valley of Shaveh, that is, the King's Valley," adds layers of significance. It positions the encounter in a locale traditionally associated with royalty or weighty public affairs. This valley thus serves as a fitting stage for not only the king of Sodom's proposition (Gen 14:21) but also, more profoundly, for the advent of Melchizedek (Gen 14:18). The contrast between the defeated, unrighteous king of Sodom and the imminent arrival of Melchizedek, the King of Righteousness and priest of God Most High, becomes stark. This physical space, associated with kings, foreshadows a spiritual kingship distinct from earthly power. Abram's interaction here showcases his refusal to profit from worldly spoils, establishing his loyalty and trust in God's provision and covenant, setting an enduring example of prioritizing spiritual blessings over material gain.