Observations Upon the Old Testament, Genesis · Chapter 14
CHAP. XIV.
Verse 1. IN the dayes] This falling out a little before Abram took Hagar, as the sequence of the story sheweth, and he taking Hagar in the tenth yeare after he left Haran, and came into Canaan, ch. 16. 3. He being then seventy five yeares old, ch. 12. 4. must be now eighty foure at the time of this battel.
Shiaar] Chaldea. ch. 10. 10.
Chedorlaomer] The chief in this expedition, though two other Kings named before him, v. 4, 5.
Elam] Or Persia, ch. 10. 22. And so Chedorlaomer of Shems Progeny, had Chams and Canaans posterity for subjects and servants, ch. 9. 26. who these Kings were, and what their Kingdomes cannot certainly be determined.
V. 2. With Bera King of Sodom] These following were but petty Kings, Kings of Cities: which were burnt, ch. 19. Deut. 29. 23. except Zoar, fifteen yeares after, when Sarah was with childe of Isaac, as appeares, chap. 18. 10, 20, &c.
V. 3. The salt sea] Josh. 3, 16. called so afterwards, the dead sea, or …ake Asphaltites, of which many strange things are reported by Authors.
V. 5. Rephaims] Ch. 15. 20.
in Ashteroth] A City in Bashan, where Og after reigned.
Emims] Where the Moabites after dwelt, Deut. 2. 9, 10, 11.
V. 6. Horites] In Mount Seir, till the Edomite… drove them out, Deut. 2. 22.
Elparan] Gen. 21. 21.
V. 7. Kadesh] So called in Moses time, it was in the desert of Zin, Numb. 20. 1, 14, 16. 13. 26. 33. 36. Deut. 1. 2, 46.
Amalekites] The people of that countrey, where afterwards the Amalekites did dwell. For Amalek the Grandchilde of Esau was yet unborn, Gen. 36. 12.
Hazezon-Tamar] Which is Engedi, 2 Chron. 20. 2. which fell afterwards to the tribe of Judah, Josh. 15. 62.
V. 10. Fell there] Their armies, rather then their persons. For the King of Sodom escaped, meeting Abram, v. 17.
V. 13. Confederate] So Abimelech and Phicol with Abraham, ch. 21. v. 22, 23. and after with Isaac. ch. 26. 26, &c. Such confederacies with Infidels, not simply in themselves unlawful, Though specially forbidden with the Canaanite, Exod. 34. 15. Deut 7. 2. And Jehoshaphat justly reproved for his needlesse familiarity and association with wicked Ahab, 2 Chron. 19. 2.
V. 14. Brother] Being his brothers sonne, v. 12.
trained servants] In militaty and religious discipline.
three hundred and eighteen] A mighty Prince, chap. 23. 6.
pursued] Justly for Lots sake, though haply Chadorlaomers cause and quarrel might be just, v. 4.
unto Dan] One of the two springs of Jordan, at the foot of Lebanon, in the North of Canaan, where was a town of that name, called Leshem or Laish, Josh. 19. 47. Judg. 14. 29.
V. 15. Unto Hoba] Thus God gave the Nations before him, and made him rule over Kings: He gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bowe, he pursued them and passed safely, even by the way which he had not gone with his feet, Esay 41. 2, 3.
V. 17. The Kings Dale] So called in after-times, where likely Absalom set up his pillar▪ 2 Sam. 18. 18.
V. 18. Melchisedech] That this Melchisedech had father and mother, descent or pedigree, beginning of dayes, and end of life is not to be doubted. But the Scripture presents him to us as such, no where telling us of his Parents, descent, birth or death: and so in this, and in his name Melchisedech, and in his title of Office, King of Salem; and in his Offices themselves, being both King and Priest, the Priest of the most High God, and that without being successour to any, or having any successour to him, and so as one that typically abideth for ever; and as one that is far superiour to Abraham, who blessed Abraham, and to whom Abraham the Patriarch gave tithes; therefore in regard of all these, the Apostle makes him a notable type and figure of Christ, of his Person and Offices, of his Kingdome and Priesthood especially, as we see at large, Heb. 7. and David did so before him, Psal. 110. 4. Now who this Melchisedech should be, whether Shem, who being borne before the flood, lived seventy five yeares after Abrams coming into Canaan, and about sixty five after the time of▪ history of his meeting Abram, who though his Parents, Birth and Death be known to us, yet not as here brought in under the name of Melchisedech; or whether it were some neighbouring King of Canaan, of another Kindred from that of Abraham, Heb. 7. 6. extraordinarily raised up and sanctified by God to this purpose, though haply it may be probably, yet it cannot certainly be defined.
Melchisedech King of Salem] Heb. 7. 2. Thus righteousnesse and peace do kisse each other, Psal. 85. 10. Esay 32. 17.
Salem] Not Salim, mentioned, John 3. 23. But Salem, Ps. 76. 2. Jerusalem.
brought forth] Not for sacrifice, but to refresh Abram and his army, as, 2 Sam. 17. 27, 28, 29, The neglect whereof was punished in the Moabites and Ammonites, Deut. 23. 3, 4.
and he was the Priest] King and Priest; both offices concurring in one Person. It was an ancient manner among Heathen Nations, Rex Anius Rex idem hominum, Phoebíque sacerdos. And how much short was it with the Patriarchs, and first-borne in Israel, before the Levites supplied their place?
V. 19. And he blessed him] A part of the Priests office, Numb. 6, 23, 27. 1 Chron. 23 13. Heb. 7. 6, 7. The lesse is blessed of the greater.
V. 20. Blessed be God] Thanked and praised.
and he gave him tithes of all] Abram gave Melchizedech, Heb. 7. 2, 4. 9, 10, 11. And Levi in Abr…ms loines. Tythes are due as an homage to God: as tribute is to Kings. They are called holy, an heave-offering to the Lord, Lev. 27. 30 Numb. 18. 24. As here Abram, so Jacob also paid them to the Lord, before the Levitical Law, Gen. 28. 22. In the Law of Moses they are strictly enjoyned, Numb. 18. 20, 21. yea, if redeemed, a fifth part must be added to it; if changed, both it and the change thereof shall be holy, Lev. 27. 31, 33. yea, Heathen paid tithes both Greek and Latine. And here, being paid to Melchizedech, a type of Christ, they are not abolished by the Gospel.
of all] Of all the spoiles, of Sodoms too, and of all the vanquished. So of the Midianites, Numb. 31. 28, 29, 30. 37, 38, 39, 40, 41.
V. 22. I have lifted up my hand] He had sworne or vowed, when he went forth to this war, and implored Gods aide, Deut 32. 40. Dan 12. 7. Rev. 10. 5, 6.
V. 23. Lest thou shouldest say] Thou or any man should say, that covetousnesse of the prey drew me to this warre, or that this victory, or any thing else enriched me, but Gods extraordinary blessing, Esther 9. 15, 16.