Genesis 14:21

KJV

¶ And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} of Sodom {H5467} said {H559} unto Abram {H87}, Give {H5414} me the persons {H5315}, and take {H3947} the goods {H7399} to thyself.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king of S'dom said to Avram, "Give me the people, and keep the goods for yourself."

Berean Standard Bible

The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, but take the goods for yourself.”

American Standard Version

And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 14:21 records the King of Sodom's strategic proposition to Abram following Abram's decisive victory over the allied kings and the recovery of all plundered goods and captives. The king offers Abram all the material spoils of war, requesting only the return of his people, thereby setting a crucial moral and spiritual test for Abram and providing the backdrop for his profound demonstration of integrity and unwavering reliance on divine provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed immediately after Abram’s triumphant military campaign. Having pursued and decisively defeated Chedorlaomer and his confederates, Abram successfully rescued his nephew Lot, along with all the people and possessions plundered from Sodom and Gomorrah. This military success, detailed in [Genesis 14:14-16](/genesis/14-14-16 "Abram's Pursuit and Victory"), establishes Abram as a powerful and respected figure. The encounter with the King of Sodom in this verse directly follows Abram's pivotal meeting with Melchizedek, the King of Salem and priest of God Most High, to whom Abram gave a tithe ([Genesis 14:18-20](/genesis/14-18-20 "Melchizedek Blesses Abram")). This spiritual encounter, affirming God's sovereignty as "Possessor of heaven and earth," profoundly shapes Abram's subsequent response to the King of Sodom’s offer.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the spoils of war were typically divided among the victorious parties, and the right to claim such spoils was a recognized prerogative of the conqueror. Kings often sought to restore their populations after defeat, as people were considered valuable assets for labor, taxation, and military strength. Sodom itself was known for its wickedness ([Genesis 13:13](/genesis/13-13 "Sodom's Wickedness")), a reputation that would later lead to its destruction. Abram, as a nomadic tribal leader, was operating within a complex geopolitical landscape, navigating alliances and conflicts among various city-states and kings. His actions in this chapter, including his military prowess and his interaction with both Melchizedek and the King of Sodom, elevate his status beyond that of a mere wanderer.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 14 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book. The theme of **Divine Protection and Provision** is central, as God empowers Abram to achieve victory against overwhelming odds and then provides for him, negating the need for worldly gain. The chapter also develops the theme of **Abram's Faith and Righteousness**, showcasing his integrity and his commitment to God's honor above personal enrichment, particularly in his refusal of the King of Sodom's offer, which is detailed in [Genesis 14:22-24](/genesis/14-22-24 "Abram's Oath and Refusal"). Furthermore, the introduction of Melchizedek and Abram's tithe highlights the theme of **Worship and Acknowledgment of God's Sovereignty**, setting the stage for Abram's principled stand against potential compromise with the ungodly King of Sodom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 14:21 records the King of Sodom's direct and calculated proposal to Abram, a moment that serves as a moral and spiritual crucible for the patriarch. Having been rescued by Abram, the king attempts to reassert some control and establish terms for the recovered spoils.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root signifies more than mere utterance; it implies declaring, commanding, or even intending. Here, it conveys the King of Sodom's authoritative proposition, a direct and purposeful statement setting forth his terms, reflecting his position as a ruler despite his recent defeat.
* **persons (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to breathe," _nephesh_ refers to a living creature, soul, or individual. In this context, it specifically denotes the human captives from Sodom, emphasizing their status as living beings rather than mere possessions, and highlighting the king's immediate concern for the restoration of his populace.
* **goods (Hebrew, _rᵉkûwsh'_):** This term refers to property, possessions, or gathered wealth, specifically the plunder taken by Chedorlaomer's coalition. It encompasses all the material spoils of war recovered by Abram, highlighting the tangible, worldly value at stake and the king's willingness to cede these items to Abram.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king of Sodom said unto Abram":** This opening establishes the direct interaction between two significant figures. The King of Sodom, Bera, approaches Abram, acknowledging Abram's victorious position and the power he wields, setting the stage for a negotiation rather than a demand.
* **"Give me the persons":** The king's primary concern is the return of his people, the citizens of Sodom who were taken captive. This highlights a pragmatic, perhaps even humanitarian, concern for his subjects, as their return is essential for the city's restoration, its economy, and his continued rule.
* **"and take the goods to thyself":** This part of the offer presents Abram with the material spoils of war—the recovered wealth and possessions. The king's willingness to cede these "goods" to Abram is a strategic move, potentially to obligate Abram, express gratitude, or simply to avoid further contention over the plunder, prioritizing the return of his populace.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Dialogue**, presenting the direct speech of the King of Sodom to Abram, which immediately draws the reader into the tension of the scene. There is also a clear **Contrast** established between "the persons" (human lives) and "the goods" (material possessions), highlighting the different values at play and the king's immediate priorities. Furthermore, this verse functions as a powerful **Foreshadowing** device, setting the stage for Abram's pivotal and principled response in the subsequent verses, where his integrity and reliance on God will be profoundly demonstrated.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 14:21, in conjunction with Abram's response, serves as a profound theological statement on the source of true blessing and the nature of spiritual integrity. It underscores the principle that God's people are to rely solely on His provision, refusing any worldly gain that might compromise their witness or suggest indebtedness to ungodly sources. This encounter highlights the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between the values of the world and the values of God's kingdom, ensuring that God alone receives glory for any prosperity.

* [Deuteronomy 8:17-18](/deuteronomy/8-17-18 "God Gives Power to Get Wealth")
* [Proverbs 10:22](/proverbs/10-22 "The Blessing of the Lord Makes Rich")
* [2 Corinthians 6:14-18](/2_corinthians/6-14-18 "Do Not Be Unequally Yoked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The King of Sodom's offer to Abram in Genesis 14:21, though seemingly generous, represents a subtle spiritual snare. It challenges Abram to choose between immediate, worldly gain and a deeper, more profound trust in God's exclusive provision. For believers today, this passage serves as a powerful reminder to examine the source and nature of our blessings. Are we willing to compromise our principles or align ourselves with ungodly influences for temporal advantage? Like Abram, we are called to live with uncompromising integrity, ensuring that our prosperity is clearly attributed to God alone, so that no one can boast of having made us rich ([Genesis 14:23](/genesis/14-23 "Abram's Refusal")). This requires a deep-seated conviction that God is our ultimate provider and protector, capable of meeting all our needs without requiring us to sacrifice our spiritual purity or compromise our witness. It also compels us to discern carefully the opportunities and associations we entertain, ensuring they do not entangle us in ways that diminish God's glory or our spiritual walk.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to compromise my integrity for worldly gain or convenience?**
* **How does my reliance on God's provision manifest in my daily choices and financial decisions?**
* **What "goods" or opportunities, though seemingly beneficial, might subtly obligate me to ungodly systems or compromise my witness for Christ?**

### FAQ

**Why did the King of Sodom offer Abram the goods?**

Answer: The King of Sodom likely offered Abram the goods for several reasons. Primarily, it was a gesture of gratitude and acknowledgment for Abram's decisive victory and the rescue of his people and property. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the victor had the right to all spoils, so offering them to Abram was a recognition of his power and a way to avoid further conflict. It was also a strategic move to quickly re-establish control over his city's population without having to negotiate for the material wealth, and perhaps to subtly obligate Abram to Sodom, fostering a sense of indebtedness or alliance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Abram's resolute refusal to accept worldly gain from the King of Sodom, instead relying solely on God as his provider, profoundly foreshadows Christ's absolute purity and His rejection of all earthly temptations for power or wealth. While Abram, a man of faith, still wrestled with human limitations, Jesus perfectly embodied this principle, famously refusing the kingdoms of the world offered by Satan in the wilderness ([Matthew 4:8-10](/matthew/4-8-10 "Jesus Rejects Temptation")). Christ, the true King and ultimate deliverer, did not merely recover physical captives or material possessions; He redeemed humanity from the bondage of sin and death, not for any earthly reward or to be enriched by worldly powers, but through His sacrificial love on the cross ([Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Redemption Through His Blood")). By His perfect obedience and self-giving, Jesus established a heavenly kingdom whose riches are eternal and untainted by worldly compromise, demonstrating that true wealth and authority come from God alone ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Christ's Exaltation")).

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.