King James Version

What Does Genesis 14:7 Mean?

Genesis 14:7 in the King James Version says “And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amo...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.”

Genesis 14:7 · KJV

Context

5

And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim, Shaveh: or, The plain of Kiriathaim

6

And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness. Elparan: or, The plain of Paran

7

And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.

8

And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;

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.

Read Genesis 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they returned, and came to En-mishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amaleki... 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 passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַ֠יָּשֻׁבוּ1 of 18

“And they returned”

H7725

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

וַיָּבֹ֜אוּ2 of 18

“and came”

H935

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

אֶל3 of 18

“to”

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עֵ֤ין4 of 18
H0
מִשְׁפָּט֙5 of 18

“Enmishpat”

H5880

en-mishpat, a place near palestine

הִ֣וא6 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

קָדֵ֔שׁ7 of 18

“which is Kadesh”

H6946

kadesh, a place in the desert

וַיַּכּ֕וּ8 of 18

“and smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶֽת9 of 18
H853

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

כָּל10 of 18
H3605

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

שְׂדֵ֖ה11 of 18

“all the country”

H7704

a field (as flat)

הָעֲמָֽלֵקִ֑י12 of 18

“of the Amalekites”

H6003

an amalekite (or collectively the amalekites) or descendants of amalek

וְגַם֙13 of 18
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֶת14 of 18
H853

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

הָ֣אֱמֹרִ֔י15 of 18

“and also the Amorites”

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

הַיֹּשֵׁ֖ב16 of 18

“that dwelt”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּחַֽצְצֹ֥ן17 of 18
H0
תָּמָֽר׃18 of 18

“in Hazezontamar”

H2688

chatsetson-tamar, a place in palestine

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 14:7 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 14:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 20:2Genesis 16:14Genesis 20:11 Samuel 15:1-35Numbers 14:43Numbers 13:26

Places in This Verse

Hazazon-tamar 1Settlement · Modern: En Hazeva · 30.81°N, 35.25°E1 verse across 1 book
Kadesh-barneaSettlement · Modern: Ain el Qudeirat · 30.65°N, 34.42°E24 verses across 5 books
View all places in Genesis 14 →

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