King James Version

What Does Genesis 14:13 Mean?

Genesis 14:13 in the King James Version says “And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 14:13 · KJV

Context

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.

14

And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen , and pursued them unto Dan. armed: or, led forth trained: or, instructed

15

And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

Read Genesis 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre t... 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. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיָּבֹא֙1 of 18

“And there came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הַפָּלִ֔יט2 of 18

“one that had escaped”

H6412

a refugee

וַיַּגֵּ֖ד3 of 18

“and told”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

אַבְרָֽם׃4 of 18

“with Abram”

H87

abram, the original name of abraham

הָֽעִבְרִ֑י5 of 18

“the Hebrew”

H5680

an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber

וְהוּא֩6 of 18
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

שֹׁכֵ֨ן7 of 18

“for he dwelt”

H7931

to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)

בְּאֵֽלֹנֵ֜י8 of 18

“in the plain”

H436

an oak or other strong tree

מַמְרֵ֣א9 of 18

“of Mamre”

H4471

mamre, an amorite

הָֽאֱמֹרִ֗י10 of 18

“the Amorite”

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וַֽאֲחִ֣י11 of 18

“and brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אֶשְׁכֹּל֙12 of 18

“of Eshcol”

H812

eshcol, the name of an amorite, also of a valley in palestine

וַֽאֲחִ֣י13 of 18

“and brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

עָנֵ֔ר14 of 18

“of Aner”

H6063

aner, a amorite, also a place in palestine

וְהֵ֖ם15 of 18
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

בַּֽעֲלֵ֥י16 of 18

“and these were confederate”

H1167

a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)

בְרִית17 of 18
H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

אַבְרָֽם׃18 of 18

“with Abram”

H87

abram, the original name of abraham

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 14:13 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 14:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 13:18Genesis 14:24Genesis 40:15Genesis 43:321 Samuel 4:12Numbers 21:21

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