Genesis 14:20

KJV

And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

KJV (with Strong's)

And blessed {H1288} be the most high {H5945} God {H410}, which hath delivered {H4042} thine enemies {H6862} into thy hand {H3027}. And he gave {H5414} him tithes {H4643} of all.

Complete Jewish Bible

and blessed be El 'Elyon, who handed your enemies over to you." Avram gave him a tenth of everything.

Berean Standard Bible

and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.

American Standard Version

and blessed be God Most High, who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him a tenth of all.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 14:20 records Melchizedek, King of Salem and priest of the Most High God, blessing Abram after his military victory, attributing the deliverance of his enemies to divine power. In response, Abram offers Melchizedek a tenth of all the spoils, marking the first biblical instance of tithing and introducing a figure whose unique priesthood foreshadows that of Christ. This pivotal encounter highlights themes of divine sovereignty, gratitude, and the establishment of a foundational spiritual principle.

### CONTEXT
This verse immediately follows Abram's successful military campaign to rescue his nephew Lot and recover the plundered goods from the four allied kings who had raided Sodom and Gomorrah. Upon his victorious return, Abram is met by two kings: the King of Sodom and Melchizedek, King of Salem. Melchizedek, uniquely identified as "the priest of the most high God," blesses Abram, acknowledging God's hand in the victory, prompting Abram's spontaneous act of giving a tithe of all the recovered spoils.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

The encounter in Genesis 14:20 is brief yet profound, revealing key theological insights through Melchizedek's blessing and Abram's response.

* **"And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand."**
* **Melchizedek's Blessing and Divine Sovereignty:** Melchizedek, whose name means "King of Righteousness" and who is King of Salem ("King of Peace," traditionally identified with Jerusalem), blesses Abram. His blessing is directed not towards Abram's strength, but towards "the most high God" (Hebrew: *’El ‘Elyon*), attributing the victory entirely to Him. This title, *’El ‘Elyon*, emphasizes God's supreme transcendence and His position as the sovereign ruler over all creation and human affairs. It underscores that Abram's triumph was a divine deliverance, not merely a human achievement.
* **God's Active Deliverance:** The phrase "which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand" explicitly states God's direct involvement. This highlights the theological principle that ultimate victory and protection come from God. It serves as a reminder that even in human endeavors, divine providence is at work, guiding and empowering His servants.

* **"And he gave him tithes of all."**
* **Abram's Response and the First Tithe:** In response to Melchizedek's blessing and the acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, Abram gives Melchizedek "tithes of all" (Hebrew: *ma’aser*). This is the first recorded instance of tithing in the biblical narrative, occurring centuries before the Mosaic Law formally instituted tithing for Israel.
* **Voluntary Act of Worship:** Abram's act was a voluntary expression of gratitude, worship, and recognition of Melchizedek's unique priestly authority and, by extension, God's ultimate ownership of all things. It signifies Abram's acknowledgment that his wealth and victory were gifts from God, and that a portion was due back to Him through His representative. This act of faith and worship precedes God counting Abram's faith as righteousness in [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Read about Abram's faith being counted as righteousness in Genesis 15:6").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Sovereignty and Providence:** The verse unequivocally attributes Abram's victory to God, establishing a foundational principle that all success and deliverance ultimately originate from the Most High God, who actively intervenes in human history.
* **The Melchizedekian Priesthood:** Melchizedek's appearance as "priest of the most high God" predates the Levitical priesthood, establishing a unique and superior priestly order. His blessing of Abram and receiving of tithes signify his spiritual authority, which is later expounded in the New Testament as a type of Christ's eternal and unchangeable priesthood (e.g., [Hebrews 7:1-10](/hebrews/7-10 "Explore the significance of Melchizedek's priesthood in Hebrews chapter 7")).
* **The Principle of Tithing and Generosity:** Abram's voluntary tithe establishes the principle of giving a tenth as an act of worship, gratitude, and acknowledgment of God's ownership. It demonstrates that generosity and stewardship are ancient spiritual practices, predating legalistic requirements, and rooted in a heart of thanksgiving and trust.
* **Faith and Righteousness:** Abram's act of tithing to Melchizedek is an expression of his faith and recognition of God's blessing, reinforcing the theme of faith as the basis for righteousness, which is explicitly stated in the subsequent chapter concerning Abram [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Understand how Abram's faith was credited as righteousness").

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 14:20 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, urging us to cultivate a heart of gratitude and acknowledge God as the ultimate source of all blessings and victories in our lives. Like Abram, our immediate response to success or provision should be worship and thanksgiving, recognizing that our accomplishments are ultimately divine empowerments, not solely our own doing. This verse also encourages a spirit of voluntary generosity, reminding us that giving to God and His work should flow from a grateful heart, expressing our trust in His continued provision and our recognition of His supreme authority, rather than being motivated by mere obligation.

### FAQ

**Why is Melchizedek called "priest of the most high God" and why is he significant?**

Answer: Melchizedek is significant because he is introduced as a king and priest who predates the Levitical priesthood established through Moses. His title, "priest of the most high God" (*’El ‘Elyon*), highlights his unique divine appointment and authority. The New Testament, particularly the Book of Hebrews, expounds on his significance, presenting him as a type or foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, whose priesthood is eternal and superior to the Levitical system [Hebrews 7:1-17](/hebrews/7-17 "Discover Melchizedek's typological significance in Hebrews chapter 7").

**Did Abram's act of tithing establish a universal commandment for all believers?**

Answer: Abram's tithe in Genesis 14:20 was a spontaneous, voluntary act of worship and gratitude, occurring centuries before the Mosaic Law formally instituted tithing for the Israelites. While it demonstrates an ancient principle of acknowledging God's ownership and provision through giving, it does not, by itself, establish a universal legal commandment for all believers in the same way the Mosaic Law did for Israel. However, it serves as a powerful example of faithful stewardship and generosity, reflecting a heart devoted to God. New Testament principles of giving emphasize cheerful, proportionate giving as an act of worship and love [2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "Read about cheerful giving in 2 Corinthians 9:7").

**What does "Most High God" (El Elyon) signify?**

Answer: "Most High God" is the English translation of the Hebrew phrase *’El ‘Elyon* (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן). *’El* is a general term for God, while *‘Elyon* means "Most High," "Exalted One," or "Supreme." This title emphasizes God's supreme sovereignty, His transcendence above all other gods or powers, and His position as the ultimate ruler of heaven and earth. It conveys His absolute supremacy and His authority over all creation and human affairs.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 14:20 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, particularly through the enigmatic figure of Melchizedek. The New Testament Book of Hebrews explicitly identifies Jesus as "a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek" [Hebrews 5:6](/hebrews/5-6 "See Jesus as a priest in the order of Melchizedek in Hebrews 5:6"). Just as Melchizedek, King of Righteousness and King of Peace, blessed Abram and received tithes, so too does Christ, our eternal High Priest and King, bless His people and receive their worship. Melchizedek's priesthood, without recorded beginning or end, foreshadows Christ's eternal and unchangeable priesthood, which supersedes the temporary Levitical system. Through Christ, the Most High God has delivered humanity from sin and death, establishing a new covenant grounded in His perfect sacrifice and ongoing intercession, making Him the ultimate recipient of our worship and the source of all blessings.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.