17 Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. 19 He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” He gave him a tenth of all. Genesis 14:17–20 (NASB95) 

17 The king of Sodom came out into the Shaveh Valley (this was the plain of kings) to meet him after he returned from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him. 18 And Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine. Now he was priest of the highest God. 19 And he blessed Abram and said, “Blessed be Abram by the highest God, who created the heavens and the earth, 20 and blessed be the highest God who delivered your enemies in your hand.” And he gave him a tenth of everything. Genesis 14:17–20 (LES2)

Both the MT and LXX use words to indicate that Abram slaughtered the enemy kings. 

Melchizedek’s blessing was on behalf of the Most High God. In verse 19, the MT says he is the “Possessor” of heaven and earth. The LXX says he is the Creator. By creation rights, he owns everything. 

The rest of the passage agrees.

21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself.” 22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn to the LORD God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 “I will take nothing except what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their share.” Genesis 14:21–24 (NASB95) 

21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the men, but take the horse for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I will stretch out my hand to the highest God, who created the heavens and the earth, 23 if I take from a string to a sandal thong from all your things, in order that you might not say ‘I made Abram wealthy.’ 24 Except for what the young men ate and the portion of the men who came along with me, Eshcol, Onan, Mamre, these will take a portion.” Genesis 14:21–24 (LES2)

Once again, the MT uses the word “goods” (singular); whereas, the LXX says “horse.” (singular)

The LXX uses the idiom “stretch out my hand” to the highest God, but the MT says, “sworn.” Once again, the MT says “possessor,” while the LXX says “creator.” 

The rest is in agreement, except for Aner/Onan’s name.

1 And it came about in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, 2 that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 3 All these came as allies to the valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). 4 Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but the thirteenth year they rebelled. Genesis 14:1–4 (NASB95)

1 This happened in the reign of Amraphel, king of Shinar: Arioch, king of Ellasar, and Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, and Thargal, king of nations, 2 made war with Bilhah, king of Sodom, and with Birsha, king of Gomorrah, and Shinar, king of Admah, and Shemeber, king of Zeboiim, and with the king of Bela (this is Zoar). 3 All these conspired at the salt chasm (this is the sea of salt). 4 For twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they revolted. Genesis 14:1–4 (LES2) 

5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim and the Zuzim in Ham and the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in their Mount Seir, as far as El-paran, which is by the wilderness. 7 Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and conquered all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, who lived in Hazazon-tamar. Genesis 14:5–7 (NASB95) 

5 In the fourteenth year, Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and massacred the giants who were in Ashtaroth Carnaim, and strong nations together with them, and the Emim who were in the city of Shaveh, 6 and the Horites who were in the mountains of Seir, as far as the terebinth of Paran, which is in the wilderness. 7 And, when they returned, they came to the fountain of judgment (this is Kadesh) and massacred all the rulers of Amalek, and the Amorites who were dwelling in Hazazon Tamar. Genesis 14:5–7 (LES2) 

8 And the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah and the king of Admah and the king of Zeboiim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) came out; and they arrayed for battle against them in the valley of Siddim, 9 against Chedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim and Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. 10 Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell into them. But those who survived fled to the hill country. 11 Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food supply, and departed. 12 They also took Lot, Abram’s nephew, and his possessions and departed, for he was living in Sodom. Genesis 14:8–12 (NASB95) 

8 The king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah and the king of Admah and the king of Zeboiim and the king of Bela (this is Zoar) came out, and they arrayed their armies against them for a battle in the salt valley, 9 against Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, and Tidal, king of nations, and Amraphel, king of Shinar, and Arioch, king of Ellasar—these four kings against the five. 10 Now the salt valley had pits of tar. The king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah fled and fell in there. Those who were left behind fled into the mountain. 11 They took every horse that belonged to Sodom and Gomorrah and all their provisions and went away. 12 They took also Lot, the son of the brother of Abram, and his household stuff, and they left, for he was living in Sodom. Genesis 14:8–12 (LES2)

13 Then a fugitive came and told Abram the Hebrew. Now he was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner, and these were allies with Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. 16 He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot with his possessions, and also the women, and the people. Genesis 14:13–16 (NASB95) 

13 And one of those who had been delivered approached and reported to Abram, the migrant. Now the Amorite himself dwelt at the oak of Mamre, the brother of Eshcol and the brother of Onan, who were allies of Abram. 14 Abram, upon hearing that his brother Lot was taken prisoner, counted his own household members, three hundred and eighteen, and he pursued them as far as Dan. 15 And he fell upon them at night, he and his servants, and he struck them and chased them to Hobah, which is on the left of Damascus. 16 And he brought back every horse of Sodom, and he brought back Lot, his brother, and all his possessions and the women and the people. Genesis 14:13–16 (LES2)

The MT calls Abram “the Hebrew,” but the LXX identifies him as “the wanderer.” This fits with Peter’s description of the church. (1 Peter 1:1)

The MT says Abram was living by the oaks (oak in LXX) of Mamre, but the LXX says Eshcol lived there, too. The MT calls Eshcol’s brother Aner, but the LXX says it was Onan. Whatever was the case, these men were Abram’s allies. 

Verse 14 gives us a better idea of Abram’s wealth. He was a man of substance and power. Verse 15 adds that he divided his forces. 

We see here that Abram was also a capable commander and warrior.

1 So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, he and his wife and all that belonged to him, and Lot with him. 2 Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver and in gold. 3 He went on his journeys from the Negev as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place of the altar which he had made there formerly; and there Abram called on the name of the LORD. Genesis 13:1–4 (NASB95) 

1 Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all his things, and Lot with him, into the wilderness. 2 Abram was very rich in livestock and in silver and in gold. 3 And he went from where he had come into the wilderness to Bethel, as far as the place where his tent had been before, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place of the altar, where he pitched his tent. And there Abram invoked the name of the Lord. Genesis 13:1–4 (LES2) 

5 Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6 And the land could not sustain them while dwelling together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain together. 7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling then in the land. Genesis 13:5–7 (NASB95) 

5 And sheep and oxen and livestock belonged to Lot, who came along with Abram. 6 And the land did not have room for them to live together because their possessions were abundant, so they were not able to live together. 7 And a fight took place between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. Now the Canaanites and the Perizzites were residing in the land at that time. Genesis 13:5–7 (LES2) 

8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers. 9 “Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me; if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left.” Genesis 13:8–9 (NASB95) 

8 And Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no contention between me and you and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, because we are brothers. 9 For look at the whole land before you! Part company with me; if you go to the left, I will go to the right; but if you go right, I will go left.” Genesis 13:8–9 (LES2)

10 Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere—this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar. 11 So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other. 12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD. Genesis 13:10–13 (NASB95) 

10 And when Lot raised his eyes, he saw all the country round about the Jordan that all was watered (before God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of God and like the land of Egypt up to Zoar. 11 And Lot chose all the country round about the Jordan for himself, and Lot departed from the east, and they each parted ways from their brother. 12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, but Lot settled in a city of the surrounding region and pitched his tent in Sodom. 13 The people who were in Sodom were very evil and sinful before God. Genesis 13:10–13 (LES2) 

14 The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; 15 for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever. 16 “I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth, so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered. 17 “Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you.” Genesis 13:14–17 (NASB95) 

14 God said to Abram (after Lot parted ways with him), “Look up with your eyes and look, from the place where you are now to the north and the south and the east and the sea, 15 because I will give you and your offspring all the land that you see, forever. 16 And I will make your offspring like the sand of the earth. If anyone can count the sand of the earth, then your offspring will also be counted. 17 Get up and travel through the length and breadth of the land, because I will give it to you and to your offspring forever.” Genesis 13:14–17 (LES2) 

In verse 14 there is more evidence that the LXX is more literal than the MT. It uses the word “sea” for “west.” The Mediterranean Sea is west of the land of Canaan.

Verse 15 is a proof text for Zionists, but it is very important to remember that the word translated “descendants” in both Hebrew and Greek is singular and means “seed.” Paul taught that the promised seed is Christ (Galatians 3:16), to whom the land (earth) now belongs as a permanent possession. To assign it to the nation state of modern Israel is a misunderstanding of the New Covenant and dishonors Christ. 

The multitude of descendants in the New Covenant is the elect, those born of the Spirit, both Jew and Gentile. (Galatians 3:28, 1 Peter 2:9-10)

In addition, the New Covenant gives the entire earth to Christ and the church, not just a sliver of land in the Near East. (Romans 4:13, Matthew 5:5)

18 Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD. Genesis 13:18 (NASB95) 

18 And, after decamping, Abram, went and settled beside the oak of Mamre, which was in Hebron, and he built an altar for the Lord there. Genesis 13:18 (LES2) 

The passage agrees in essence. Abram built an altar to God, which apparently Lot never did.

10 Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 It came about when he came near to Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman; 12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 “Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that I may live on account of you.” Genesis 12:10–13 (NASB95)

10 And a famine came over the earth, and Abram went down into Egypt to dwell beside there, because the famine over the earth was strong. 11 It happened when Abram came near to enter into Egypt, Abram said to Sarai, his wife, “I know that you are a beautiful woman. 12 So this will happen: when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ And they will kill me, but they will keep you. 13 Say, then, ‘I am his sister,’ so that it will be well with me because of you, and my soul will live on your account.” Genesis 12:10–13 (LES2)

14 It came about when Abram came into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16 Therefore he treated Abram well for her sake; and gave him sheep and oxen and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels. Genesis 12:14–16 (NASB95) 

14 It happened when Abram entered into Egypt, once the Egyptians saw his wife, that she was very beautiful, 15 that rulers of Pharaoh saw her and praised her to Pharaoh, and they led her to Pharaoh. 16 And they treated Abram well because of her, and he had sheep and calves and donkeys, servants and maids, mules and camels. Genesis 12:14–16 (LES2) 

17 But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19 “Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her and go.” 20 Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they escorted him away, with his wife and all that belonged to him. Genesis 12:17–20 (NASB95)

17 And God afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great and grievous trials because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 Pharaoh, having summoned Abram, said, “What is this you did to me, that you did not tell me that she is your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her as a wife for myself? And now, look, your wife is before you; take her; depart!” 20 And Pharaoh commanded men regarding Abram, that they should accompany him and his wife and all that was his, and Lot with him. Genesis 12:17–20 (LES2) 

There is not very much difference between the Hebrew word translated “plagues” and the Greek word translated “trials.” Both can mean “afflictions.”

Somehow Pharaoh discovered the truth about Sarai’s relationship with Abram. It is not directly stated whether Pharoah had sex with Sarai, but no offspring resulted, if he did. This would go along with her barrenness until the miracle of Isaac.

I wonder what Sarai thought of her brother/husband after this? Was his behavior evidence of a low value put on women? Did it indicate a lack of marital affection, or did it simply point to a rather Machiavellian approach to self-preservation on his part?

1 Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; 2 And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; 3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” Genesis 12:1–3 (NASB95)

1 And the Lord said to Abram, “Go out from your land and from your kinsfolk and from the house of your father into whatever land I will show to you. 2 And I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great, and you will be blessed. 3 And I will bless those who bless you, and those who curse you I will curse, and in you all the tribes of the earth will be blessed.” Genesis 12:1–3 (LES2)

The passage essentially agrees, which is refreshing after being in the psalms and prophets for so long, where there is so much disagreement between the MT and LXX. This leads me to surmise that the disagreement there is deliberate. 

This passage is used by Zionists and Judaizers to promote Judaism and the nation state of Israel in modern times, but it actually pertains first of all to Abram, but, as will become apparent in the New Testament, more aptly to Christ, who is the focus of the entire Old Covenant (John 5:39). If we cannot find Christ in the Old Covenant, we are not understanding it as we should. 

Paul taught that Christ is Abraham’s promised “seed.” 

16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. Galatians 3:16 (NKJV)

4 So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; thus they came to the land of Canaan. Genesis 12:4–5 (NASB95) 

4 And Abram went, just as the Lord told him, and Lot left with him. Abram was now seventy-five years old when he left Haran. 5 And Abram took Sarai, his wife, and Lot, son of his brother, and all their possessions that they acquired and every individual that they acquired, out of Haran. And they went out to go to the land of Canaan, and they came to the land of Canaan. Genesis 12:4–5 (LES2) 

6 Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. Now the Canaanite was then in the land. 7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him. Genesis 12:6–7 (NASB95) 

6 And Abram traveled through its length to the place of Shechem at the high oak. But the Canaanites at that time were residing in the land. 7 And the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I will give this land to your seed.” And Abram built an altar there to the Lord, who appeared to him. Genesis 12:6–7 (LES2) 

Here is where the more literal LXX is helpful. It translate “seed” in the singular; whereas, the LXX logically uses the plural “descendants.” Since we know that the “seed” is Christ, it follows that the land has been given to him. He alone is the rightful heir. The natural precedes the spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:46). The natural descendants of Abraham did inherit the land for a season, but because of their persistent idolatry and rebellion were cast out. As Jesus clearly taught, the kingdom of God has been given to another nation (Matthew 21:43), which Peter identified as the church (1 Peter 2:9) of the born again, both Jews and Gentiles. The New Covenant understanding of Abraham’s descendants (plural) is the church, as taught by Paul.

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:26–29 (NKJV) 

Dispensationalism fundamentally errs by insisting that the Old Testament interprets the New, which results in its giving to the nation state of Israel what belongs to Christ alone, which is idolatry of a serious nature.

8 Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD. 9 Abram journeyed on, continuing toward the Negev. Genesis 12:8–9 (NASB95) 

8 And he turned away from there to the mountain toward the east of Bethel and set up his tent there in Bethel toward the sea, and in Ai toward the east, and built there an altar to the Lord and invoked the name of the Lord. 9 And Abram departed and, as he traveled, he encamped in the wilderness. Genesis 12:8–9 (LES2)