Genesis 14:24 kjv
Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
Genesis 14:24 nkjv
except only what the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion."
Genesis 14:24 niv
I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me?to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share."
Genesis 14:24 esv
I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share."
Genesis 14:24 nlt
I will accept only what my young warriors have already eaten, and I request that you give a fair share of the goods to my allies ? Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre."
Genesis 14 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 13:8-9 | Then Abram said to Lot... let there be no strife... if you take the left hand, then I will go to the right. | Abraham avoids conflict, allows others choice |
| Gen 14:22-23 | Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have lifted my hand to the LORD... I will take nothing..." | Abraham's refusal of worldly gain, trust in God |
| Gen 15:1 | After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." | God promises to be Abraham's reward/provision |
| Deut 2:5-6 | Do not meddle with them, for I will not give you any of their land... You shall buy food... | Israel warned against taking from certain peoples |
| Num 31:27 | Divide the plunder into two parts: between the warriors who went out to battle... and all the congregation. | Instruction on dividing war spoils for Israel |
| Josh 22:8 | Go back to your tents... with much wealth... and divide the spoil of your enemies. | Post-conquest spoil distribution |
| 1 Sam 30:24 | But as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage... | Equal division of spoils, includes support staff |
| Pro 3:27-28 | Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due... Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back..." | Principle of giving due to others |
| Hab 2:9-10 | Woe to him who gains dishonest gain for his house, That he may set his nest on high... | Condemnation of wealth gained unjustly |
| 2 Cor 6:14-17 | Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers... Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord... | Call to separation from worldly systems |
| Isa 52:11 | Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her! | Command to spiritual separation and purity |
| Rom 4:3 | For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." | Abraham's faith as foundation of righteousness |
| Phil 4:19 | And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. | God's unfailing provision |
| Matt 6:33 | But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. | God's provision for those who seek His kingdom |
| Heb 7:2-4 | To him Abraham gave a tenth of everything... Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. | Contextualizes Abraham's giving a tithe prior to this event |
| 1 Cor 9:14 | Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. | Workers are worthy of their livelihood |
| Luke 10:7 | And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. | Laborers are entitled to their compensation |
| Deut 8:3 | He humbled you... that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD. | God provides sustenance, teaching reliance on His Word |
| Rev 18:4 | Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. | Call to separate from corrupt systems |
| Ezra 9:1-2 | For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons... so that the holy race has intermingled. | Caution against entanglements, a broader principle |
Genesis 14 verses
Genesis 14 24 Meaning
Genesis 14:24 records Abraham's specific allowance for his young men and confederate allies concerning the spoils of war, following his refusal to accept anything for himself from the King of Sodom. This statement delineates his personal steadfastness in trusting God alone for provision, while acknowledging the customary right of others who had joined him in battle to take their portion.
Genesis 14 24 Context
Genesis chapter 14 describes Abraham's military victory over the powerful Eastern kings who had plundered Sodom and captured Lot. After his successful rescue mission, he encounters Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, who blesses Abraham, and Abraham gives him a tenth of everything. Following this spiritual exchange, the King of Sodom approaches Abraham, offering him all the recovered goods and captives, keeping only the persons for himself. In response to this, Abraham makes a solemn vow to God in the preceding verses (Gen 14:22-23) that he will take none of the king of Sodom's wealth. Verse 24 is the specific clarification and allowance Abraham makes for those under his authority and his independent allies, emphasizing his unique spiritual stand while not impeding the conventional rights of others who participated in the endeavor. Historically, war spoils were a significant aspect of ancient Near Eastern conquest, and distribution of these spoils was customary. Abraham's refusal sets him apart, yet his allowance for others demonstrates a practical fairness in that context.
Genesis 14 24 Word analysis
- Except only:
bilti lebad(Hebrew: בלתי לבד). A strong adverbial phrase signifying "only, but, exclusively." It introduces a clear distinction and limitation to his general refusal. It emphasizes that this is the sole exception to his complete rejection of the spoils for himself. - that which the young men have eaten: Refers to Abraham's own household servants and dependents who fought with him. Their consumption of food from the captured provisions during the pursuit and battle was a practical necessity, not accumulated spoil for gain. This implies subsistence directly from the field, rather than planned appropriation.
- and the portion:
wĕḥēleq(Hebrew: וְחֵלֶק). The Hebrew word ḥēleq means "part, portion, share, inheritance." This signifies a rightful entitlement or allocation. Unlike the consumed food, this "portion" refers to a distributed share of the recovered goods or wealth. - of the men which went with me: These are distinct from his "young men." This phrase refers to Abraham's allies mentioned in Gen 14:13: "Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre the Amorite, brethren of Abram." These were independent confederates who joined Abraham due to a pact or shared interest, and thus, by the customs of the time, were entitled to a share of the spoils for their risk and effort.
- Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre: Specific personal names of the Amorite chiefs who were Abraham's confederates. Naming them highlights the precision and transparency of Abraham's decision, acknowledging his specific partners in the campaign. This demonstrates Abraham's integrity even towards those not part of his covenant community.
- let them take their portion: A direct instruction or affirmation from Abraham, permitting his allies and servants to claim what was customarily due to them. This phrase underscores Abraham's role as the commander of the expedition, who dictates the distribution, but crucially, he waives his own entitlement while respecting theirs. It highlights a principle of fairness to others despite his own high spiritual standard.
Genesis 14 24 Bonus section
This verse subtly underscores the importance of reputation and testimony in Abraham's walk with God. His refusal to take even a thread or a sandal strap (Gen 14:23) ensured that no earthly king could claim to have made him rich. This preserves the purity of God's blessing in Abraham's life. The distinction made for the 'young men' versus 'Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre' highlights different types of participation and entitlements in ancient military campaigns. His servants' portion was likely consumed provision for sustenance, while his allies' portion was a share of the actual recovered spoils due to independent partners. This verse provides an early example of respecting others' customary rights and responsibilities, even when one takes a higher, personally binding moral stand.
Genesis 14 24 Commentary
Genesis 14:24 serves as the conclusion to Abraham's profound refusal of worldly gain, solidifying his unique commitment to God. After being blessed by Melchizedek, who represents a divinely appointed spiritual order, Abraham declares he will not be enriched by the King of Sodom, preventing any future claim that his prosperity came from an ungodly source rather than from the Most High God. This specific verse, however, shows Abraham's balanced character. While uncompromising in his personal spiritual integrity, he is not impractical or unfair to others. He recognizes that his "young men" (his servants) had legitimately consumed provisions as part of the expedition's sustenance, and his confederates (Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre) were entitled to their share according to established customs for allies in battle. This demonstrates Abraham's faith in God as his sole provider without imposing his personal, extraordinary spiritual vow on those who participated with him but were not bound by his unique covenant relationship with God. It speaks to wisdom in handling earthly affairs while upholding heavenly principles.