Genesis 14:16

Authorized King James Version

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And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

Original Language Analysis

הֵשִׁ֔יב And he brought back H7725
הֵשִׁ֔יב And he brought back
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 1 of 15
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אֵ֖ת H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 2 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 3 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וּרְכֻשׁוֹ֙ all the goods H7399
וּרְכֻשׁוֹ֙ all the goods
Strong's: H7399
Word #: 4 of 15
property (as gathered)
וְגַם֩ H1571
וְגַם֩
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 5 of 15
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
ל֨וֹט Lot H3876
ל֨וֹט Lot
Strong's: H3876
Word #: 7 of 15
lot, abraham's nephew
אָחִ֤יו his brother H251
אָחִ֤יו his brother
Strong's: H251
Word #: 8 of 15
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
וּרְכֻשׁוֹ֙ all the goods H7399
וּרְכֻשׁוֹ֙ all the goods
Strong's: H7399
Word #: 9 of 15
property (as gathered)
הֵשִׁ֔יב And he brought back H7725
הֵשִׁ֔יב And he brought back
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 10 of 15
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וְגַ֥ם H1571
וְגַ֥ם
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 11 of 15
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 12 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַנָּשִׁ֖ים and the women H802
הַנָּשִׁ֖ים and the women
Strong's: H802
Word #: 13 of 15
a woman
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 14 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָֽם׃ also and the people H5971
הָעָֽם׃ also and the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 15 of 15
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

Analysis & Commentary

And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the wo... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish:

  1. salvation by grace through faith rather than works
  2. covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people
  3. the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible
  4. the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort
  5. the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith.

The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

Historical Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Questions for Reflection

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