When Abram heard that his relative was taken captive, he led out his three hundred eighteen trained men, born in his house, and pursued as far as Dan. He divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and struck them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot and his goods, and the women also, and the other people.
Show the surrounding paragraph
Genesis 14:14-16 sits inside this longer paragraph.
One who had escaped came and told Abram, the Hebrew. At that time, he lived by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner. They were allies of Abram. When Abram heard that his relative was taken captive, he led out his three hundred eighteen trained men, born in his house, and pursued as far as Dan. He divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and struck them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot and his goods, and the women also, and the other people.
Parallel Translations
-
When Abram heard that his relative was taken captive, he led out his three hundred eighteen trained men, born in his house, and pursued as far as Dan.
He divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and struck them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot and his goods, and the women also, and the other people.
-
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.
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.
And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.
Show all 3 translations
-
And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued as far as Dan.
And he divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
And he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.
Examined in Scripture Analysis
Science (1)
Historical claims about the natural world, weighed against the scientific record.
Contradictions (1)
Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Cross-references (29)
- Judges 18:29 (v14) They called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel; however the name of the city used to be…
- Genesis 15:3 (v14) Abram said, “Behold, you have given no children to me: and, behold, one born in my house is my heir.”
- Genesis 17:12 (v14) He who is eight days old will be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he who is born in the house, or bought with…
- Genesis 17:27 (v14) All the men of his house, those born in the house, and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.
- Deuteronomy 34:1 (v14) Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is opposite Jericho. Yahweh showed him all the land of…
Show all 28 cross-references
- 1 Samuel 30:8 (v16) David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “If I pursue after this troop, will I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue; for you will surely…
- 1 Samuel 30:18-19 (v16) David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and David rescued his two wives. There was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor…
- Proverbs 24:11-12 (v14) Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter! If you say, “Behold, we didn’t…
- Ecclesiastes 2:7 (v14) I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all…
- Genesis 12:5 (v14) Abram took Sarai his wife, Lot his brother’s son, all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in…
- Acts 9:2 (v15) and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might…
- Isaiah 41:2-3 (vv14–15) Who has raised up one from the east? Who called him to his foot in righteousness? He hands over nations to him and makes him rule over…
- Genesis 11:27-31 (v14) Now this is the history of the generations of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran became the father of Lot.…
- Genesis 12:2 (v16) I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing.
- Genesis 12:16 (v14) He dealt well with Abram for her sake. He had sheep, cattle, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels.
- Genesis 13:8 (v14) Abram said to Lot, “Please, let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for we are relatives.
- Genesis 14:11-12 (v16) They took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their food, and went their way. They took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who lived in…
- Genesis 18:19 (v14) For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Yahweh, to do…
- Genesis 23:6 (v14) “Hear us, my lord. You are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the best of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb.…
- Deuteronomy 15:2 (v15) This is the way it shall be done: every creditor shall release that which he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not require payment from…
- Judges 20:1 (v14) Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was assembled as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of…
- 1 Kings 15:18 (v15) Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that was left in the treasures of Yahweh’s house, and the treasures of the king’s house, and…
- Psalms 45:3-5 (v14) Strap your sword on your thigh, mighty one: your splendor and your majesty. In your majesty ride on victoriously on behalf of truth,…
- Psalms 68:12 (v14) “Kings of armies flee! They flee!” She who waits at home divides the plunder,
- Psalms 112:5 (v15) It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends. He will maintain his cause in judgment.
- Isaiah 41:2 (v16) Who has raised up one from the east? Who called him to his foot in righteousness? He hands over nations to him and makes him rule over…
- 1 John 2:18 (v14) Little children, these are the end times, and as you heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen. By this we…
- Galatians 6:1-2 (v14) Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to…
28 distinct cross-references across this passage (29 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (17 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
Saved on this device only — never synced or sent anywhere.
John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv14–15 14. When Abram heard that his brother was taken…
14. When Abram heard that his brother was taken captive. Moses briefly explains the cause of the war which was undertaken; namely, that Abram might rescue his relation from captivity. Meanwhile, what I have before said is to be remembered, that he did not rashly fly to arms; but took them as from the hand of God, who had constituted him lord of that land. With reference to the words themselves, I know not why the ancient interpreter has rendered them, ‘Abram numbered his trained servants.’ For the word ריק (rik) signifies to unsheathe, or to draw out. Now Moses calls these servants חניכים (chanichim,) not as having been educated and trained for military service, as many suppose; but rather (in my opinion) as having been brought up under his own authority, and imbued from childhood with his discipline; so that they fought the more courageously, being stimulated by his faith, and going forth under his auspices; and were ready to undergo every kind of danger for his sake. But in this great household troop, we must notice, not only the diligence of the holy patriarch, but the special blessing of God, by which it had been increased beyond the common and usual manner.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv14–15 Or, armed.
Or, armed.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv14–16 Gen 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother…
Gen 14:14 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.
Ver. 14. He armed his trained servants.] Or, catechised; such as he had painfully principled both in religion and military discipline, tractable and trusty, ready pressed for any such purpose. It is recorded to the commendation of Queen Elizabeth, that she provided for war, even when she had most perfect peace with all men. {a} Speers foreseen are dintless.
Read full note →
{a} Camden’s Elis., fol. 164.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv14–16 He armed his trained servants, whom he had disciplined…
He armed his trained servants, whom he had disciplined and instructed both in religion and in the military art too, both which were necessary to make them good soldiers, that they might both fight with skill and courage, and also rely upon God, and engage his assistance; which was now especially necessary, when so small a party were to engage against so numerous an army.
Dan is commonly thought to be a town then called Leshem, Jos 19:47, or Laish, Jdg 18:7, and afterwards Dan; see Jdg 18:7,29; so it is an anticipation. But it may be doubted whether this was a city; or if it were, whether it were not another town called by the same name, which was frequent in those parts. And some think this is not a town, but the very fountain of Dan, whence Jordan had its name.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv14–16 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken…
And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive,.... That is, his brother's son Lot, as in Gen 14:12; which was contrary to the law of nations; since Lot was only a sojourner, and not an inhabitant n Sodom, and therefore had no concern in the quarrel between the kings, and this justified Abram's taking up arms on his behalf:
he armed his trained servants; such as were trained up by him in religious exercises, see Gen 18:19; in the affairs and business of civil life, in the care of flocks and herds, and particularly in the art of war; which was both lawful and necessary, for the preservation of his family and substance from oppressors:
Read full note →
born in his own house; of his servants, and so were his property, and at his disposal and command; their number was
three hundred and eighteen, a large number for servants, and which showed how great a man Abram was, what possessions he must have to employ so many, and yet but a small number for an army, to go forth with against four kings who had conquered five; though how many his confederates brought with them is not certain:
and pursued them unto Dan; the Jerusalem Targum is, to Dan of Caesarea, meaning Caesarea of Philippi, as in the times of Christ and his apostles it was called; which at first had the name of Leshem, or Lais, and was not called Dan until the times of the judges, Jdg 18:29; wherefore, if the same place is intended here, it is so called not only by anticipation, but by a spirit of prophecy; since it had not the name of Dan even in the times of Moses, the writer of this history, unless it may be thought to be inserted by Samuel or some other inspired writer, after Moses; though there is no need to suppose either of these, seeing there might be a town or city of this name in those parts at this time, or however one of the springs of Jordan might be so called, from whence the river had its name as early, Gen 13:11; and so Josephus (f) expressly says, speaking of this expedition, that Abram fell upon them at Dan, for so, adds he, the other fountain of Jordan is called.
(f) Antiqu. l. 1. c. 10. sect. 1.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv14, 16 He armed his trained servants, born in his house…
He armed his trained servants, born in his house - To the number of three hundred and eighteen: a great family, but a small army; about as many as Gideon's that routed the Midianites, Jude vii, 7. He drew out his trained servants, or his catechized servants; not only instructed in the art of war, but instructed in the principles of religion; for Abram commanded his household to keep the way of the Lord.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv14–16 Verse 14. He armed his trained servants] These amounted…
Verse 14. He armed his trained servants] These amounted to three hundred and eighteen in number: and how many were in the divisions of Mamre, Eshcol, and Aner, we know not; but they and their men certainly accompanied him in this expedition. See Ge 14:24.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v14 Gen 14:14. He armed his trained servants — To…
Gen 14:14. He armed his trained servants — To the number of three hundred and eighteen: a great family, but a small army; about as many as Gideon’s that routed the Midianites, Jdg 7:7. He drew-out his trained servants, or his catechised servants; not only instructed in “the art of war,” but instructed in the principles of religion; for Abram commanded his household to “keep the way of the Lord.”
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v14 Servants, fit for war. Hence we may form some…
Servants, fit for war. Hence we may form some judgment of the power and dignity of Abram, who was considered as a great prince in that country, chap. xxiii. 6. He was assisted by Mambre, Escol, and Aner, with all the forces they could raise on such a short warning; and coming upon the four kings unawares, in four divisions, easily discomfits them, while they were busy plundering the cities, and pursues them to Dan; which is either the city that went by that name afterwards, or more probably one of the sources of the Jordan, (Haydock) which the people of the country call Medan. Neither did he suffer them to repose, before he had retaken all the plunder at Hoba, or Abila, north of the road leading to Damascus. (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv14–15 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken…
And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants--domestic slaves, such as are common in Eastern countries still and are considered and treated as members of the family. If Abram could spare three hundred and eighteen slaves and leave a sufficient number to take care of the flocks, what a large establishment he must have had.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv14–16 14. When Abram heard — He had no pleasure…
14. When Abram heard — He had no pleasure in the misfortune of his more worldly kinsman, who had taken advantage of his offer (Gen_13:9) and chosen the fertile plain, but moved immediately for his rescue. The word brother is here used in the wider sense of kinsman, a usage not unfrequent. Exo_2:11; Num_8:26.
Armed his trained servants — Rather, led forth his trained ones. The word rendered trained is of the same root as that rendered train in Pro_22:6 : “Train up a child in the way he should go.” These were drilled and practiced in the use of weapons, as well as to (Gen_18:19) “keep the way of the Lord.” Gen_34:25; Gen_49:5, further show that the pastoral patriarchs were skilful in the use of arms. This was probably often necessary for purposes of self-defence. These trained and skilful adherents of Abram are further described as born in his own house, a regular part of the patriarchal family; not bought, nor taken in war. Comp. Gen_17:12. And the number, three hundred and eighteen, shows what a powerful community one patriarchal family might be. To these were added the forces of Mamre, Eshcol, and Aner. Gen_14:24.
Read full note →
Pursued them unto Dan — From which it appears that the victorious kings made no hurried march homeward, but took a northerly route. There is no reason to suppose the Dan here mentioned as any other than the well known city of this name near the source of the Jordan. It is doubtless the same as the Dan-jaan of 2Sa_24:6, and the Dan mentioned in Deu_34:1; for the language of the latter passage does not necessarily imply that the Dan there mentioned was in the land of Gilead. The ancient name of the place was Laish or Leshem, (Jos_19:47; Jdg_18:29,) but Dan is here used either proleptically, or else was substituted by a later editor as being the more common name of the place.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv14–15 14. And when Abram heard] It is implied that,…
14. And when Abram heard] It is implied that, if Lot had not been taken prisoner, Abram would not have stirred either to attack the invader or to assist the native kings. But, as a dweller at Hebron, he was within sight of “the land of the Plain,” cf. Gen_19:28; and must have been well aware of Chedorlaomer’s punitive expedition against the kings of the Plain.
his brother] i.e. kinsman: see note on Gen_13:8.
Read full note →
led forth] Lit. “emptied out,” or “unsheathed,” used of arrows from a quiver, or of a sword from a sheath. Driver gives the meaning “drew out rapidly and in full numbers.” The LXX ἠρίθμησεν, “counted” or “mustered,” Lat. numeravit, following probably a reading which is also found in the Samaritan version.
his trained men, born in his house] i.e. his most faithful retainers, the slaves (a) born in his household, as distinguished from those obtained by purchase; (b) specially exercised in the use of arms.
three hundred and eighteen] This exact figure seems strange. The old Jewish commentators explained it by pointing out that the numerical value of the Heb. letters of the name “Eliezer,” Abram’s steward (Gen_15:2), was 318. In modern times Winckler has found some supporters for the astronomical explanation, that the moon is visible for 318 days in the year; and that the number of Abram’s retainers must, therefore, indicate that the story of Abram is blended with a lunar myth. The two explanations possess a certain kind of resemblance in their ingenuity and their improbability.
Dan] The pursuit of Abram enabled him to overtake the booty-laden army at Laish (Jos_19:47), on the north frontier of Canaan. Laish received the name of Dan after its conquest by a band of Danites, as recorded in Jdg_1:18. The mention of Dan, therefore, is, strictly speaking, an anachronism, though quite intelligible. That Abram should overtake and smite his enemy at the furthest northern limit of the future Israelite country, is a feature in the story not without symbolical significance.
But, if Abram with a small force had to pursue the enemy the whole length of Palestine, the retiring army, though burdened with spoil, must have marched at a high rate of speed. Again, Dan would not be on the high road to Damascus; it lay too far to the left.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv14–15 (14) Abram . . . armed . . .…
(14) Abram . . . armed . . . —Heb., led forth, or literally, let them loose, let them pour forth, the verb indicating both their number and also their haste. The word for trained comes from the same root as the name Enoch, for which see note on Gen_4:17. As Abram’s cattle would often be exposed to danger from the Amalekites, who throughout the Biblical history appear as a race of inveterate plunderers, there is no reason to doubt that these men were trained and practised in the use of weapons. This large number of servants born in his house, and of an age capable of undergoing the fatigues of a rapid pursuit, added to the older men left to defend and take care of the cattle, proves that Abram was the chieftain of a powerful tribe.
Dan.—There is a city of this name in Gilead, mentioned in Deu_34:1, but this is probably the better known town at the source of the Jordan, also called Laish (Jdg_18:29). For having swept the hill country on his march southwards, Chedorlaomer would now plunder the rich vale of the Jordan as his final exploit. Dan is about 140 miles from Hebron, where Abram began his march.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv14–16 And when Abram heard that his brother so called…
And when Abram heard that his brother so called as his brother"s son, or simply as his relative (Gen_42:8) was taken captive, he literally, and hearmed literally, caused to pour forth, i.e. drew out in a body, from a toot signifying "to pour out" (Gesenius, Furst); from a root meaning to unsheath or draw out anything as from a scabbard, and hence equivalent to expedivit, he got ready (Onkelos, Saadias, Rosenm Bush, "Speaker"s Commentary"). Kalisch connects both senses with the root. The LXX, Vulgate, and others translate "numbered," reading later qDeY; for qreY; his trained literally, initiated, instructed, but not necessarily practiced in arms (Keil); perhaps only familiar with" domestic duties (Kalisch), since it is the intention of the writer to show that Abram conquered not by arms, but by faithservants, born in his own housei.e. the children of his own patriarchal family, and neither purchased nor taken in warthree hundred and eighteen which implied a household of probably more than a thousand soulsand along with these and his allies (vide Ver. 24) pursued them the victorious Asiaticsunto Dan which is here substituted for its older name Laish, for which, (vide Jos_19:47) (Ewald) though regarded by some as not the Laish Dan conquered by the Danites, but probably Dan-jaan, mentioned in 2Sa_24:6 (Havernick, Keil, Kalisch) against which, however, is the statement of Jose. phus ("Ant.," 1:10), that this Dan was one of the sources of the Jordan. Murphy regards Dan as the original designation of the town, which was changed under the Sidonians to Laish (lion), and restored at the conquest. Clericus suggests that the Jordan fountain may have been styled Dan, "Judge," and the neighboring town Laish, and that the Danites, observing the coincidence of the former with the name of their own tribe, gave it to the city they had conquered. Alford is doubtful whether Dan-juan was really different from Laish.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v14 when Abram
when Abram
It is Abram the separated man who has power to help. See Gen 19:29; 2Ti 2:20; 2Ti 2:21
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v15 He divided his men against them at night and…
He divided his men against them at night and attacked them
This probably refers to a battle strategy. "Abram divided the men into several groups, and they attacked their enemies from various directions"
Read full note →
all the possessions
This refers to the things that the enemies had stolen from the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
his goods
"Lot's property that the enemies had stolen from Lot"
as well as the women and the other people
"as well as the women and other people that the four kings had captured"
translationWords
Abraham
Damascus
Lot
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv14–15 14:14-16 God could give his people victory over any…
14:14-16 God could give his people victory over any forces invading the Promised Land. Faithfulness to God was the prerequisite for victory. God promises to bless his people and give them victory over the world. He uses those who respond to his call and can skillfully use weapons of war (cp. Eph 4:8; 6:10-19).
14:14 Abram . . . mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household: Abram was a formidable force, an outworking of God’s promise to make him great (12:2-3). • Dan was a city about 150 miles north of Abram’s home in Hebron, then named Laish or Leshem (see Josh 19:47 and study note; Judg 18:29). Dan, whose descendants migrated north in the days of the judges (Judg 18:1-29), had not yet been born (Gen 30:6). An editor apparently updated the text so that later readers could identify this city.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.