King James Version

What Does Genesis 14:24 Mean?

Genesis 14:24 in the King James Version says “Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; l...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 14:24 · KJV

Salvation

Context

22

And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,

23

That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet , and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

24

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

Read Genesis 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, ... 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. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
בִּלְעָדַ֗י1 of 16

“Save”

H1107

except, without, besides

רַ֚ק2 of 16
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

אֲשֶׁ֥ר3 of 16

“only that which”

H834

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

אָֽכְל֣וּ4 of 16

“have eaten”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

הַנְּעָרִ֔ים5 of 16

“the young men”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

חֶלְקָֽם׃6 of 16

“and the portion”

H2506

properly, smoothness (of the tongue)

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים7 of 16
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר8 of 16

“only that which”

H834

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

הָֽלְכ֖וּ9 of 16

“which went”

H1980

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

אִתִּ֑י10 of 16

“with”

H854

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

עָנֵר֙11 of 16

“me Aner”

H6063

aner, a amorite, also a place in palestine

אֶשְׁכֹּ֣ל12 of 16

“Eshcol”

H812

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

וּמַמְרֵ֔א13 of 16

“and Mamre”

H4471

mamre, an amorite

הֵ֖ם14 of 16

“let them”

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

יִקְח֥וּ15 of 16

“take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

חֶלְקָֽם׃16 of 16

“and the portion”

H2506

properly, smoothness (of the tongue)

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 14:24 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 14:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 3:27Matthew 7:12Genesis 14:131 Timothy 5:181 Corinthians 9:14-15Romans 13:7-8

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