A Fresh Look at Genesis 14

by Garry D. Pifer

Genesis 14 gets referred to quite frequently because it is the first place in the Bible that the subject of tithing or of giving a tenth is mentioned.  Generally only verses 18, 19 and 20 are read or referred to since that mentions Abram giving tithes to Melchizedek.  Many conclusions are drawn.  It has been stated that this shows that Abram habitually tithed.  Some have stated that Abram tithed on “his increase.”  Some believe that the “spoils” were Abram’s under the “rules of conquest.”  Meaning that since he was the victor all spoils automatically became his to do with as he chose.  Perhaps we need to take a fresh look at what this chapter says and doesn’t say.

In the first few verses we find the setting.  Four individual kings, in an alliance, made war with other five kings, that were allied together.  These latter five came under the domination of Chedorlaomer it says, and they served him for twelve years.  And, finally, in the thirteenth year they rebelled against that domination.  In verse 5 we find that Chedorlaomer and his allies raided another four kings and their people in the fourteenth year.  Then in verse 7 we find that as they returned they attacked the Amalekites and the Amorites.  At this point the King of Sodom and his four allies, which had earlier rebelled against Chedorlaomer, came to the aid of the Amalekites and the Amorites and engaged the  four invading armies in the vale of Siddim.  As verse 9 brings out it was four kings against five.

Chedorlaomer and his allies routed the five kings who had come out against them.  They then made off with all of the “goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals.”  Then verse 12 gives us some key information.  “And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son...”   One that had escaped came and told Abram what had happened.

To this point we can make at least one conclusion.  The war that was going on was not one that Abram was involved in at all.  He had no connection with it until his nephew was taken hostage.  It now became a personal matter.  What did he do?  What anyone would do if his relative had been taken hostage.  He armed his 318 servants and went after them.  By dividing the forces and attacking at night they “smote” them, chased them “unto Hobah” and “he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.”

In verse 17 we find that as Abram was returning the king of Sodom came out to meet him.  Verses 18 through 20 tell us of the encounter with Melchizedek, but these verses appear to be inset verses since the story of the king of Sodom and his encounter with Abram continues in verse 21.  Let us pick up the story in verse 21 and come back to the inset a bit later.  The king of Sodom appeals to Abram, I would think, out of appreciation for bringing back his people and goods.  He tells Abram to keep all the goods, that he was satisfied to have his people returned.  Abram, as we read in verses 22 and 23, says he had sworn to God not to take anything that was the king of Sodom’s.

This presents a problem with some’s explanation.  They state that all that Abram returned with belonged to Abram under the rules of conquest.  Yet, Abram says, “I will not take any thing that is thine.”  And, this is what is conveyed when you check the original.  Abram DID NOT consider these items to be his.  He told the king of Sodom that what his servants had eaten was all that he would take.  And, that his allies could be given a portion for their efforts.  I also submit, that when we return to the inset verses and see what occurred in the meeting with Melchizedek, Abram must have suggested quite strongly that due to God’s obvious blessings a tribute should be made to Him through His High Priest.

It has been suggested that the word “take” might be better rendered “keep.”  Saying that Abram is stating that he won’t “keep any thing that is thine.”  However, the original Hebrew does not support this.  The Hebrew word is #03947 in Strong’s.  It means “to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy.”  It is translated “take” 747 times and there is never a suggestion on the word “keep” being a proper rendering.

Returning to verses 18-20 we read of the encounter with Melchizedek.  Melchizedek brought out bread and wine and pronounced a blessing on Abram.  Earlier in chapter 12 we read of the promises that God had made to Abram.  God was working with this man.  He made it plain here that He was definitely working in his life, intervening for him in events such as this foray to rescue Lot and the people and goods of Sodom. 

“And he gave him tithes of all.”  Much has been made over these few words.  It has been said that this indicates a lifelong habit.  Some say it shows a universal law.  What it says is, he (Abram) gave, which means give by the way (look it up), him (Melchizedek) tithes, or a tenth which is what tithe means, of all.  Again, I submit that this was with the approval of and support of the king of Sodom. A tribute or thank offering was made of one tenth.

Hebrews 7 and verse 4 refers to this event.  It also says “Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.”  Again, gave means to give freely of one’s own will.  A question is whose “spoils” were these.  Were they Abram’s?  I believe they were the spoils of Chedorlaomer and his allies, since it was their war they had been taken in.  Abram merely rescued his nephew and brought back all of the goods.

The statement is often made that “Abram tithed on his increase.”  This expression is taken from Deuteronomy 14:22, “Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth  year by year.”

There is nothing here about property or income, it specifically says the increase of the seed.  It helps to understand what "increase" means.

The primary definition is "produce" which is the "product , yield, crops."  Twenty-three times this word is translated "increase." In most of those 23 places additional adjectives or statements clearly shows this to be of agricultural produce.  Some of the phrases used are, "of the threshing floor," "of seed," "of the field," "of corn and wine," "fruits of increase," "bread of the increase of the earth," "increase thereof shall be for food."  Also, thirteen times the word is translated "fruit."  This clearly is "produce or product" of the land. 

The word is translated "revenue" or "revenues" five times.  In Proverbs 8:19 a comparison is made.

Proverbs 8:19  My fruit [is] better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. 

Fruit (although a different word means produce or fruit of the ground) compared to gold and "revenue" to choice silver.  From context "revenue" would also carry the same meaning of produce.

Proverbs 15:6 ¶ In the house of the righteous [is] much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. 

The word translated "treasure" means "riches, treasure, wealth."  This could be speaking of gold, money, etc. but also can indicate an abundance of anything, including an abundant harvest.  The translation of this verse in the Tanakh (the new JPS translation) is, "In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the harvest of the wicked there is much trouble."

Again, another translation helps.  Lamsa's Holy Bible from the ancient eastern text renders this verse this way, "Better is a little with righteousness than great ingathering acquired unjustly." 

Isaiah 23:3  And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, [is] her revenue; and she is a mart of nations. 

This verse is poetic in style.  "Seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river" is using agricultural terms and he says they are "her revenue," her produce if you will.

Jeremiah 12:13  They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, [but] shall not profit: and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD. 

This verse again is using a reference to agriculture, "sown wheat, but shall reap thorns."  In a continuation of the thought he says "they shall be ashamed of your ‘revenues' (your harvest of produce, etc.)" Lamsa's translation once again helps, "They have sown wheat, but they shall reap thorns; they have labored hard, but they shall not profit; and they shall be ashamed of their crops because of the fierce anger of the Lord."  The Tanakh's translation is similar, "They have sown wheat and reaped thorns, They have endured pain to no avail.  Be ashamed, then by your harvest- By the blazing wrath of the Lord!"

Proverbs 3:14  For the merchandise of it [is] better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 

Again, other translations help.  The Tanakh says, "Her value in trade is better than silver, Her yield, greater than gold." 

I believe that if we are honest with the usage of the Hebrew word we must conclude that “increase” refers to the increase from the land, the produce, the fruit, the increase in the cattle and flocks.  Nowhere does it ever indicate “income” or “property” of any other kind.  With this understanding Abraham was NOT tithing on his “increase” as the Bible defines it.  The tithe, the tenth, the 10 percent he gave to Melchizedek was a tribute, and offering from the heart, in thankfulness and recognition of the blessings from God.  That “tithe” or tenth was not on “the increase of the seed” or of agricultural products.

I recently read a statement in a booklet produced by one of the Church of God organizations.  It stated, “Note that Abraham tithed on everything---not just agricultural produce as some have concluded.” What “some have concluded” is based on the Biblical instructions.   Let us look at the scriptures that give the instructions regarding tithing,  Leviticus 27:30-33. “ And all the tithe of the land, [whether] of the seed of the land, [or] of the fruit of the tree, [is] the LORD'S: [it is] holy unto the LORD. And if a man will at all redeem [ought] of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth [part] thereof.  And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, [even] of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.  He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.”  We have already quoted and discussed Deuteronomy 14:22 which says one was to tithe all the increase of the seed that the field brought forth.  And, all of the other passages giving instructions on tithes speaks of agricultural products, the produce of the LAND (which will be covered in another article).  So, we find that Abraham did not follow these instructions.  Was he like the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable in Luke 18, verse 12, “I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.”?  No,  Jesus was addressing an attitude of self-righteousness, verse 9, “And He spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.”

Since we do read that Abraham tithed on everything it is apparent that Abraham was not, I repeat, NOT following the prescribed instructions on tithing. Why? Very simply there is nothing in this chapter to indicate that any law regarding tithing was known.  Abram, or Abraham, was honoring God by giving a tribute in appreciation for God’s protection and blessing.  Offerings that are acceptable to God are freewill offerings, offerings from the heart. (See Exodus 35.)  They can be of whatever amount or percentage the one making the offering chooses.  Abram happened to decide to give a tenth. 

To draw the numerous conclusions that many have espoused from Genesis 14 is less than honest with the Scriptures.  I am reminded of a New Testament Scripture.   2 Peter 3:16, “As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”  We need to be extremely careful to not add to or subtract from the Words.