Devine Scripture

Genesis 14:17

What does Genesis 14:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 14:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 14:17 means

Upon Abram's victorious return from defeating Chedorlaomer and his allies, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh, also known as the King's Valley. This encounter is strategically placed immediately after Abram's triumph, setting the stage for the pivotal interactions that follow. The king of Sodom's appearance signals the beginning of negotiations and the moral choices Abram will face regarding the spoils of war.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him, after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, at the vale of Shaveh (the same is the King’s Vale).

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him, after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, at the vale of Shaveh (the same is the King’s Vale).

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when he was coming back after putting to flight Chedorlaomer and the other kings, he had a meeting with the king of Sodom in the valley of Shaveh, that is, the King's Valley.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the king of Sodom goeth out to meet him (after his turning back from the smiting of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings who <FI>are<Fi> with him), unto the valley of Shaveh, which <FI>is<Fi> the king's valley.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him, after he returned from the slaughter of Chodorlahomor, and of the kings that were with him in the vale of Save, which is the king's vale.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after he had returned from smiting Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, into the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's valley.

Context

This verse marks Abram's return as a victor and introduces his first encounter after the battle—with the king of Sodom. This meeting immediately follows the successful rescue of Lot and the goods, setting up a contrast with the subsequent encounter with Melchizedek and presenting Abram with a moral decision regarding the spoils of war.

v.16And he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

v.17This passage

v.18And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was priest of God Most High.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Judges 11:34

    And Jephthah came to Mizpah unto his house; and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; besides her he had neither son nor daughter.

  • 2 Samuel 18:18

    Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself the pillar, which is in the king’s dale; for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name; and it is called Absalom’s monument, unto this day.

  • Hebrews 7:1

    For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

  • 1 Samuel 18:6

    And it came to pass as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with timbrels, with joy, and with instruments of music.

  • Proverbs 14:20

    The poor is hated even of his own neighbor; But the rich hath many friends.

  • Proverbs 19:4

    Wealth addeth many friends; But the poor is separated from his friend.

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