1At that time ⌞four kings⌟—King Amraphel of Shinar, King Arioch of Ellasar, King Chedorlaomer of Elam, and King Tidal of Goiim— 2went to war against ⌞five kings⌟—King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 3The five kings joined forces and met in the valley of Siddim (that is, the Dead Sea). 4For 12 years they had been subject to Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and his allies came and defeated the Rephaim at Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim at Ham, the Emim at Shaveh Kiriathaim, 6and the Horites in the hill country of Seir, going as far as El Paran on the edge of the desert. 7On their way back, they came to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites and also the Amorites who were living at Hazazon Tamar.

8Then the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (that is, Zoar) marched out and prepared for battle in the valley of Siddim. 9They fought against King Chedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Shinar, and King Arioch of Ellasar—four kings against five. 10The valley of Siddim was full of tar pits. As the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, they fell because of the tar pits, but the other kings fled to the hills. 11So the four kings took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, as well as all their food, and left. 12They also took Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions since he was living in Sodom.

13Then a soldier who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew what had happened. He was living next to the oak trees belonging to Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner. (These men were Abram’s allies.)

14When Abram heard that his nephew had been captured, he armed his 318 trained men, born in his own household, and pursued the four kings all the way to Dan. 15He split up his men to attack them at night. He defeated them, pursuing them all the way to Hobah, which is north of Damascus. 16He brought back everything they had, including women and soldiers. He also brought back his relative Lot and his possessions.

Melchizedek Blesses Abram

17After Abram came back from defeating Chedorlaomer and his allies, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Shaveh Valley (that is, the King’s Valley). 18Then King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was a priest of God Most High. 19He blessed Abram, and said,

“Blessed is Abram by God Most High,

maker #14:19 Or “Possessor.” of heaven and earth.

20Blessed is God Most High,

who has handed your enemies over to you.”

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

21The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, and keep everything else for yourself.”

22But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I now raise my hand and solemnly swear to the Lord God Most High, maker of heaven and earth, 23that I won’t take a thread or a sandal strap. I won’t take anything that is yours so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ 24I won’t take one single thing except what my men have eaten. But let my allies Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”

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Bereshis 14

1And it came to pass in the yamim of Amraphel Melech Shinar,#14:1 i.e., Babylon Aryoch Melech Ellasar, Kedorlaomer Melech Eilam, and Tidal Melech Goyim;

2That these made milchamah with Bera Melech Sodom, and with Birsha Melech Amora (Gomorrah), Shinav Melech Admah, and Shemever Melech Tzevoyim, and the Melech Bela, which is Tzoar.

3All these were joined together in the Valley of Siddim which is the Yam HaMelach.#14:3 i.e., Dead Sea

4Twelve shanah they served Kedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

5And in the fourteenth year came Kedorlaomer, and the melachim that were with him, and they defeated the Repha'im in Ashterot Karnayim, and the Zuzim in Ham, and the Emim in Shaveh-Kiryatayim,

6And the Chori in their Mt Se'ir, as far as Eil-Paran, which is near the midbar.

7And they turned, and came to En Mishpat, which is Kadesh, and conquered all the country of the Amaleki, and also the Emori, that dwelt in Chatzetzon-Tamar.

8And there went out the Melech Sodom, and the Melech Amora (Gomorrah), and the Melech Admah, and the Melech Tzevoyim, and the Melech Bela;#14:8 the same is Tzoar and they joined in milchamah with them in the Valley of Siddim;

9With Kedorlaomer Melech Eilam, and with Tidal Melech Goyim, and Amraphel Melech Shinar, and Aryoch Melech Ellasar; four melachim against five.

10And the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the Melech Sodom and Amora (Gomorrah) they fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.

11And they took all the possessions of Sodom and Amora (Gomorrah), and all their ochel, and went their way.

12And they took Lot, Avramʼs brotherʼs son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his possessions, and departed.

13And there came one that had escaped, and told Avram HaIvri; for he dwelt in Elonei Mamre the Emori, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner; and these were Ba'alei Brit Avram.

14And when Avram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained men, born in his own bais, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them as far as Dan.

15And he divided himself against them, he and his avadim, by lailah, and routed them, and pursued them as far as Chovah, which is on the left hand (north) of Damascus.

16And he recovered all the possessions, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his possessions, and the nashim also, and the people.

17And the Melech Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the defeat of Kedorlaomer, and of the melachim that were with him, at the Valley of Shaveh, which is the Valley of the King.

18And Malki-Tzedek Melech Shalem brought forth lechem and yayin and he was the kohen of El Elyon.#14:18 Ps 110:4

19And he blessed him, and said, Baruch Avram by El Elyon, Possessor of Shomayim va'Aretz;

20And baruch El Elyon, Who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him ma'aser (tithe) of all.

21And the Melech Sodom said unto Avram, Give me the nefesh and keep the possessions for thyself.

22And Avram said to the Melech Sodom, I have lifted up mine hand unto Hashem, El Elyon Possessor of Shomayim va'Aretz,

23That I will not take from a thread even to the thong of a sandal, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Avram rich;

24Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the chelek of the anashim which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their chelek.

THE ORTHODOX JEWISH BIBLE

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Genesis 14

Bereshis 14