King James Version

What Does Genesis 14:17 Mean?

Genesis 14:17 in the King James Version says “And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that we... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.

Genesis 14:17 · KJV


Context

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.

16

And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

17

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.

18

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

19

And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and ... 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 contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  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 · 19 words
וַיֵּצֵ֣א1 of 19

went out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃2 of 19

And the king

H4428

a king

סְדֹם֮3 of 19

of Sodom

H5467

sedom, a place near the dead sea

לִקְרָאתוֹ֒4 of 19

to meet

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י5 of 19

him after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

שׁוּב֗וֹ6 of 19

his return

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

מֵֽהַכּוֹת֙7 of 19

from the slaughter

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת8 of 19
H853

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

כְּדָרְלָעֹ֔מֶר9 of 19

of Chedorlaomer

H3540

kedorlaomer, an early persian king

וְאֶת10 of 19
H853

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

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃11 of 19

And the king

H4428

a king

אֲשֶׁ֣ר12 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אִתּ֑וֹ13 of 19
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

אֶל14 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עֵ֥מֶק15 of 19

dale

H6010

a vale (i.e., broad depression)

שָׁוֵ֔ה16 of 19

of Shaveh

H7740

shaveh, a place in palestine

ה֖וּא17 of 19

which

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

עֵ֥מֶק18 of 19

dale

H6010

a vale (i.e., broad depression)

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃19 of 19

And the king

H4428

a king


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 14:17 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 14:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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