Bereisheet (Genesis): Lech-Lecha > Ch 14

Abram saves Lot from the 4 kings

  • Chedorloemer and the other 3 kings smote: the Rephaim, the Zuzim, the Emim, the Horites, the entire field of the Amalekites, the Amorites, and finally defeated the 5 kings in battle in the in the valley of Siddim, which is the Dead Sea
  • The 4 kings took all possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah and departed. They also took Lot captive and took his possessions.
  • A fugitive notified Abram the Hebrew. Abram was living in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, the brother of Eshkol and the brother of Aner, who were Abram's confederates. Abram armed 318 trained men, and pursued the 4 kings until Dan. Abram smote them, and pursued them until Hobah (which is to the left of Damascus) He then restored all the possessions, and also Lot his brother and his possessions he restored, and also the women and the people.
  • Malchizedek the king of Salem (Jerusalem) brought out bread and wine, and he was a priest to the Most High G-d. And he blessed him, and he said, "Blessed be Abram to the Most High G-d, Who possesses heaven and earth. And blessed be the Most High G-d, Who has delivered your adversaries into your hand," and he gave him a tithe from all.
  • The king of Sodom asked Abram only for prisoners, allowing him to keep all other possessions. Abram said "I raise my hand to the Lord, the Most High G-d, Who possesses heaven and earth. Neither from a thread to a shoe strap, nor will I take from whatever is yours, that you should not say, 'I have made Abram wealthy.” Exclusive of what the lads ate, and the share of the men who went with me; Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre they shall take their share."


Rashi Commentary

  • the king of Goyim There is a place named Goyim because people from many nations (גוֹיִם) and places assembled there, and they crowned over them a man named Tidal (Gen. Rabbah 42:4).
  • four kings Nevertheless, the few were victorious. This is to inform you that they were mighty men. Despite this, Abram did not hesitate to pursue them. [from Gen. Rabbah 42:7]
  • and he was living in Sodom What brought this about to him [that he was taken captive]? His living in Sodom.
  • the Hebrew Heb. הָעִבְרִי So called because he came from the other side (מֵעֵבֶר) of the [Euphrates] river (Gen. Rabbah 42:8).
  • And Malchizedek The Midrash Aggadah (Targum Jonathan, Ned. 32b, Mid. Ps. 76:3) states that he was Shem, the son of Noah