King James Version

What Does Genesis 14:11 Mean?

Genesis 14:11 in the King James Version says “And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.”

Genesis 14:11 · KJV

Context

9

With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.

10

And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits ; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.

11

And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.

12

And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

13

And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How should this truth about Divine Deliverance shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַ֠יִּקְחוּ1 of 10

“And they took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת2 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל3 of 10
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

רְכֻ֨שׁ4 of 10

“all the goods”

H7399

property (as gathered)

סְדֹ֧ם5 of 10

“of Sodom”

H5467

sedom, a place near the dead sea

וַֽעֲמֹרָ֛ה6 of 10

“and Gomorrah”

H6017

amorah, a place in palestine

וְאֶת7 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל8 of 10
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אָכְלָ֖ם9 of 10

“and all their victuals”

H400

food

וַיֵּלֵֽכוּ׃10 of 10
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 14:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 14:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 14:21Genesis 14:16Genesis 12:5Deuteronomy 28:31Deuteronomy 28:35Deuteronomy 28:51

Places in This Verse

GomorrahSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E24 verses across 11 books
SodomSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E50 verses across 15 books
View all places in Genesis 14 →

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