Genesis 14 22

Genesis 14:22 kjv

And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,

Genesis 14:22 nkjv

But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth,

Genesis 14:22 niv

But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,

Genesis 14:22 esv

But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth,

Genesis 14:22 nlt

Abram replied to the king of Sodom, "I solemnly swear to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,

Genesis 14 verses

Genesis 14 22 Meaning

Genesis 14:22 records Abram's solemn declaration to the King of Sodom, wherein he makes an oath to the One True God, YHWH, identifying Him as "God Most High" ('El 'Elyôn) and "the Possessor of heaven and earth." This statement encapsulates Abram's resolute commitment to avoid any perceived obligation or credit from human kings for his wealth, ensuring that only God receives the glory for his prosperity and protection, firmly establishing God as the supreme Provider and sovereign over all creation.

Genesis 14 22 Context

Genesis 14 recounts a pivotal episode in Abram's life where he, driven by familial loyalty, pursued and defeated a coalition of Mesopotamian kings who had plundered Sodom and captured Lot. Upon his return, Abram encounters two figures: Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, and the King of Sodom. Melchizedek blesses Abram, affirming God's sovereignty over the victory. Following this, the King of Sodom approaches Abram with an offer: "Give me the people, but take the goods for yourself" (Gen 14:21). This verse (Gen 14:22) is Abram's response to that offer. The historical context reflects a culture where victors of war would claim all spoils and local kings would try to establish patronage over those who aided them. Abram's decision to refuse any material gain from the King of Sodom demonstrates his unwavering reliance on God as his sole provider and his refusal to be indebted to worldly powers, particularly one as morally corrupt as Sodom. This act served as a polemic against the prevailing pagan notions that material prosperity could come from or be indebted to human rulers or idols, emphasizing YHWH's exclusive claim to glory and providence.

Genesis 14 22 Word analysis

• But Abram: wa·yō·mer ’Abram (וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְרָם). "Abram said." His action stands in direct contrast ("But") to the expectation or the offer made by the King of Sodom. Abram's name (Exalted Father) highlights his developing spiritual leadership.
• said to the king of Sodom: His address is deliberate and direct. This public declaration served as an unambiguous rejection of worldly association and a testament to his God. Sodom, already associated with wickedness, represents a source Abram wanted no part of.
• I have lifted up my hand: hari·mō·tî yā·ḏî (הֲרִימֹתִי יָדִי). This is an ancient idiom signifying the swearing of a solemn oath. The raised hand indicates an appeal to a higher power, in this case, the Almighty God, often implying an invocation of divine judgment if the oath were broken. It symbolizes a binding commitment before God.
• to the LORD: ’El YHWH (אֶל־יְהוָה). YHWH is the sacred covenant name of God, God's personal, revealed name. Its inclusion here indicates Abram's intimate covenant relationship and distinct knowledge of this personal God, distinguishing Him from any local deity. This use of YHWH prior to its full revelation in Exodus underscores God's eternal nature and progressive revelation.
• God Most High: ’El ‘Elyôn (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן). This title means "God, the Highest One" or "God, the Exalted One." It emphasizes God's supreme authority, transcendent nature, and His position above all other gods and powers. Melchizedek had previously used this title (Gen 14:18-20), and Abram affirms this understanding, but now he combines it with YHWH.
• the Possessor: qō·nēh (קֹנֵה). This Hebrew participle carries several meanings: "creator," "owner," "maker," or "master." In this context, it speaks of God's absolute ownership and ultimate dominion over everything. It signifies not just creation but continual sustenance and proprietorship.
• of heaven and earth: This phrase denotes the entire cosmos. It underscores the boundless scope of God's dominion as the creator and rightful owner of all things visible and invisible. This refutes any notion of lesser deities having authority over specific domains.

• "I have lifted up my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth": This combined phrase is a profound theological statement. Abram's oath is not made to an abstract concept, but specifically to the covenant God (YHWH), who is also the supreme universal deity ('El 'Elyôn'), and the one who sovereignly owns and controls everything ('qō·nēh šā·ma·yim wā·’ā·reṣ'). It grounds his refusal in a theological conviction that God alone is his source of blessing and status, preventing any rival claimant (like the King of Sodom) from diminishing God's glory or asserting authority over Abram's prosperity. This declaration establishes a boundary: Abram's reliance and allegiance are solely with God.

Genesis 14 22 Bonus section

Abram's oath serves as an ethical template, emphasizing purity of motives and the origin of blessing. His refusal to accept spoils from Sodom can be seen as a spiritual warfare principle, preventing the enemy from claiming any stake in God's covenant blessings upon him. This foresight avoided a future scenario where Sodom could claim credit for Abram's prosperity, which would contradict God's promise to make Abram great (Gen 12:2). Furthermore, Abram's emphasis on God as "Possessor of heaven and earth" points to a cosmic view of divine sovereignty that transcends mere local deities, which was revolutionary for his time. It's not just "God of the land" but "God of all." This action anticipates future biblical injunctions against unrighteous gain and highlights the importance of integrity in the face of temptation, even when one is justly entitled to spoils by worldly custom.

Genesis 14 22 Commentary

Abram's solemn oath in Genesis 14:22 serves as a pivotal moment of theological clarification. Having just been blessed by Melchizedek, priest of "God Most High," Abram internalizes and publicly proclaims this God's true identity, merging it with the personal covenant name "YHWH." This composite name for God – "YHWH, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth" – is a powerful affirmation of His dual nature as both the intimate covenant-making God of Israel and the transcendent, universal Creator and Owner of all. Abram’s refusal to accept even "a thread or a sandal strap" from the King of Sodom stems from a profound spiritual conviction. He understood that receiving worldly spoils, particularly from a wicked source like Sodom, could compromise his witness, create a sense of human indebtedness, and diminish God's glory as his exclusive Provider. This act highlights Abram's radical faith: he desired no one, especially a representative of the world system, to ever claim, "I have made Abram rich." His integrity was rooted in glorifying God alone, demonstrating that true blessing and elevation come solely from the Almighty, not from worldly gain or human patronage. It sets a pattern for separating from worldly entanglement for the sake of divine glory.

• Example 1: Like a follower of Christ choosing not to pursue an unethical but profitable business venture, prioritizing divine integrity over temporal gain.
• Example 2: A believer receiving a promotion but attributing their success wholly to God's blessing and provision, rather than personal prowess or corporate connections, echoing Abram's focus on God as the true 'Possessor' of all opportunities.