Genesis 14:19 kjv

And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

Genesis 14:19 nkjv

And he blessed him and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;

Genesis 14:19 niv

and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.

Genesis 14:19 esv

And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;

Genesis 14:19 nlt

Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: "Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.

Genesis 14 verses

Genesis 14 19 Meaning

Genesis 14:19 captures Melchizedek's blessing upon Abram, a pronouncement recognizing Abram's status as a recipient of divine favor and identifying the God worshipped by both as "God Most High," the supreme Creator and Possessor of all existence, affirming His universal sovereignty.

Genesis 14 19 Context

Genesis chapter 14 describes Abram's bold and successful military expedition to rescue his nephew Lot from the coalition of eastern kings who had plundered Sodom and captured Lot. Following his decisive victory, Abram is met by two significant figures: the king of Sodom, and then Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High. This encounter with Melchizedek occurs before Abram returns to his dwelling place and represents a pivotal moment in Abram's spiritual journey. Historically, the region was characterized by various city-states with their own deities. The appearance of a priest of "God Most High" at this junction emphasizes a theological universalism or pre-Yahwistic recognition of the supreme divine being.

Genesis 14 19 Word analysis

• And he blessed him: The phrase initiates Melchizedek's priestly action. It indicates a spiritual bestowal of favor and affirmation upon Abram, not merely a greeting.

  • Hebrew: וַיְבָרְכֵהוּ (way-yə-vārə-ḵê-hū). From the verb בָרַךְ (barakh), meaning "to bless." The causative form (Piel) here signifies conferring a blessing. Melchizedek, as priest, is the channel for this divine blessing.

• and said,: A simple conjunction and verb, indicating direct speech.

  • Hebrew: וַיֹּאמַר (way-yō-mer).

• “Blessed be Abram: This is a declaration of blessing upon Abram, affirming that Abram is divinely favored or has divine blessing residing on him. It’s not Abram blessing God, but God’s favor expressed through the priest.

  • Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ (bārūḵ). A passive participle, meaning "blessed."

• by God Most High,: This identifies the source and nature of the blessing. It declares that the God whom Melchizedek serves, and who blessed Abram, is supreme above all.

  • Hebrew: לְאֵל עֶלְיוֹן (lə-ʾĒl Elyôn).
    • לְ (lə-): The preposition "by" or "to," indicating the source or attribution.
    • אֵל (Ēl): A common Semitic word for "God" or "deity," often used for the true God, distinguishing Him from lesser gods.
    • עֶלְיוֹן (Elyôn): "Most High" or "Highest." Derived from a root meaning "to go up" or "ascend." It conveys the ultimate supremacy, transcendence, and absolute sovereignty of this God, elevating Him above all other deities or powers, challenging pagan pantheons. This title prefigures God's later revelation of His unique name, Yahweh, confirming that El Elyon is the one true God.

• Possessor of heaven and earth;”: This further defines "God Most High" by His attribute of ultimate ownership and creative power. This statement provides the basis for His supreme authority.

  • Hebrew: קֹנֵה שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ (qōnê šāmāyim wā-ʾāreṣ).
    • קֹנֵה (qōnê): A participle of the verb קָנָה (qanah), which can mean "to acquire," "to possess," or "to create/make." In this theological context, considering the vastness of "heaven and earth," it strongly signifies "Creator" or "Maker and Owner," implying total dominion. This underscores monotheistic belief, affirming this God as the sole source and proprietor of all existence.
    • שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ (šāmāyim wā-ʾāreṣ): "heaven and earth." A merism, a literary device where two opposing parts represent the whole, meaning the entire cosmos, the whole universe. It denotes universal and absolute sovereignty.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "El Elyon": This divine title (God Most High) signifies God's absolute supremacy, transcending all other deities and powers. It establishes His universal authority and transcendence over creation, acting as a direct theological contrast to any polytheistic understandings prevalent at the time.
  • "Possessor of heaven and earth": This phrase attributes creation and ownership of the entire cosmos to El Elyon. It underpins His claim as the ultimate Sovereign, challenging any localized or departmentalized deities found in surrounding cultures. It provides the theological foundation for His power to bless or curse, as He owns all resources and destinies. This is a foundational assertion of God's omnipotence and universal dominion.

Genesis 14 19 Bonus section

The encounter with Melchizedek and his specific title, "El Elyon, Possessor of heaven and earth," is unique in the early biblical narrative before the formal revelation of God's name, Yahweh, and the establishment of the Aaronic priesthood. It suggests a widespread, pre-Abrahamic knowledge or understanding of a supreme deity, later to be identified fully as the God of Israel. Melchizedek's bringing forth bread and wine can be seen as a gesture of sustenance and blessing after battle, a symbol of fellowship, and is often considered by interpreters to be a proto-sacrament or type, hinting at later spiritual realities, particularly the Christian sacrament. The brevity and suddenness of Melchizedek's appearance, followed by his equally swift disappearance from the narrative (until alluded to in Psalms and Hebrews), add to his mystique and heighten his significance as a divine archetype.

Genesis 14 19 Commentary

Genesis 14:19 serves as a profound theological statement, embedded within a narrative of military victory and human interaction. Melchizedek, a mysterious figure introduced without genealogy, appears as both king and priest of "God Most High," offering a blessing to Abram. This blessing is not a mere pleasantry but a divinely inspired pronouncement of favor upon Abram, stemming from the Most High God. The description of this God as "Possessor of heaven and earth" is critically important; it identifies Him as the sole Creator and Sovereign over all things. This declaration directly counters the polytheistic views of the Canaanite world, asserting that the God whom Abram worships is the supreme, unique deity, not merely one god among many. The encounter highlights Abram's recognition of Melchizedek's spiritual authority through the act of tithing in the subsequent verse. This brief passage holds significant prophetic weight, particularly for New Testament readers, as Melchizedek prefigures Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest and King (Psa 110:4, Heb 7), whose priesthood transcends the Levitical order and whose universal reign is absolute, much like the "God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth" he serves. The blessing on Abram reinforces the divine covenant already established and signifies divine approval of Abram's actions and future path.