Genesis 14:21
New International Version
The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.”

New Living Translation
The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered.”

English Standard Version
And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.”

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

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

New King James Version
Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself.”

New American Standard Bible
Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give the people to me and take the possessions for yourself.”

NASB 1995
The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself.”

NASB 1977
And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give the people to me, but take the possessions for yourself.”

Amplified Bible
The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods (spoils of battle) for yourself.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, but take the possessions for yourself.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, but take the possessions for yourself.”

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

Contemporary English Version
The king of Sodom said to Abram, "All I want are my people. You can keep everything else."

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people, and keep everything else for yourself."

Good News Translation
The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Keep the loot, but give me back all my people."

International Standard Version
The king of Sodom told Abram, "Return the people to me, and you take the possessions for yourself."

Majority Standard Bible
The king of Sodom said to Abram, ?Give me the people, but take the goods for yourself.?

NET Bible
Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people and take the possessions for yourself."

New Heart English Bible
Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people, and take the possessions for yourself."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the king of Sodom said to Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.

World English Bible
The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, and take the goods for yourself.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the king of Sodom says to Abram, “Give to me the persons, and take the substance to yourself,”

Young's Literal Translation
And the king of Sodom saith unto Abram, 'Give to me the persons, and the substance take to thyself,'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king of Sodom will say to Abram, Give to me the living creature, and take the The hard copy spelling records the following as: susbtancesubstance to thyself.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king of Sodom said to Abram: Give me the persons, and the rest take to thyself.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me these souls, and take the rest for yourself.”

New American Bible
The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the captives; the goods you may keep.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the king of Sodom said to Abram, Give me the people, and take the goods for yourself.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King of Sadom said to Abram, “Give to me the souls, and the possessions take to yourselves.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the king of Sodom said unto Abram: 'Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king of Sodom said to Abram, Give me the men, and take the horses to thyself.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Melchizedek Blesses Abram
20and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. 21The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, but take the goods for yourself.” 22But Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,…

Cross References
Hebrews 7:1-2
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, / and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”

Genesis 19:17-26
As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, “Run for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere on the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!” / But Lot replied, “No, my lords, please! / Your servant has indeed found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness by sparing my life. But I cannot run to the mountains; the disaster will overtake me, and I will die. ...

Matthew 4:8-10
Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. / “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.” / “Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”

1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

Luke 4:5-8
Then the devil led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. / “I will give You authority over all these kingdoms and all their glory,” he said. “For it has been relinquished to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish. / So if You worship me, it will all be Yours.” ...

2 Peter 2:7-8
and if He rescued Lot, a righteous man distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless / (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—

Revelation 18:4
Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins or contract any of her plagues.

1 Timothy 6:9-10
Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

James 4:4
You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

2 Corinthians 6:17
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Joshua 7:21
When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”

1 Samuel 15:19
So why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you rush upon the plunder and do evil in the sight of the LORD?”

1 Kings 21:2-3
So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place—or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.” / But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.”

Isaiah 33:15-16
He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, who refuses gain from extortion, whose hand never takes a bribe, who stops his ears against murderous plots and shuts his eyes tightly against evil— / he will dwell on the heights; the mountain fortress will be his refuge; his food will be provided and his water assured.


Treasury of Scripture

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

persons.

Genesis 14:21
And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.

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Abram Goods Persons Prisoners Property Sodom Souls Substance Thyself
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Abram Goods Persons Prisoners Property Sodom Souls Substance Thyself
Genesis 14
1. The battle of four kings against the king of Sodom and his allies.
12. Lot is taken prisoner.
14. Abram rescues him.
17. Melchizedek blesses Abram, who gives him tithes.
21. Abram restores the rest of the spoil to the king of Sodom.














The king of Sodom
The identity of the king of Sodom is significant in this narrative. Historically, Sodom was one of the cities of the plain, known for its wickedness and eventual destruction by God. The king represents a worldly authority, often associated with moral corruption. In the Hebrew text, "Sodom" is linked to burning or scorched, symbolizing the spiritual desolation of the city. This encounter between Abram and the king of Sodom sets the stage for a contrast between divine blessing and earthly wealth.

said to Abram
Abram, later known as Abraham, is a central figure in the Bible, representing faith and obedience to God. His interactions with the king of Sodom highlight his role as a man of integrity and divine favor. The Hebrew root for "said" (אָמַר, 'amar) often implies a declaration or command, indicating the king's authoritative tone. However, Abram's response will demonstrate his allegiance to God over earthly rulers.

Give me the people
The request for "the people" (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh) reflects the king's desire for human resources, which were considered valuable assets in ancient times. The term "nephesh" can mean soul, life, or person, emphasizing the intrinsic value of human life. This request underscores the king's priorities, valuing human capital over material wealth, which contrasts with Abram's values.

but take the goods for yourself
The offer to "take the goods" (רְכוּשׁ, rekush) reveals the king's willingness to part with material wealth. In the ancient Near East, spoils of war were a significant source of wealth, and the term "rekush" encompasses possessions, property, and goods. This phrase highlights the king's pragmatic approach, prioritizing the return of his people over the recovery of wealth. Abram's response to this offer will further illustrate his character and faith.

(21) Grive me the persons.--To this day it is the rule among the Arabs that, if a camp be plundered, anyone who recovers the booty gives up only the persons, and takes the rest for himself. But Abram, with noble generosity, will accept nothing. The "lifting up of the hand" to give solemnity to an oath is mentioned here for the first time.

Verse 21. - And the king of Sodom (who, though first coming, appears to have retired in favor of the greater personage, Melchisedeck, and to have witnessed the interview between him and Abram, but who now, on its termination, advances - said unto Abram, - perhaps anticipating that like donations from the spoils might be made to him as to Melchisedeck, in which case he evinced a remarkable degree of generosity - Give me the persons - literally, the souls, i.e. those of my people whom you have recovered (cf. Genesis 12:5, in which the term is employed to describe domestic slaves) - and take the goods to thyself (which, Michaelis observes, he was justly entitled to do by right of conquest).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Sodom
סְדֹ֖ם (sə·ḏōm)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5467: Sodom -- a Canaanite city near the Dead Sea

said
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Abram,
אַבְרָ֑ם (’aḇ·rām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 87: Abram -- 'exalted father', the original name of Abraham

“Give
תֶּן־ (ten-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

me the people,
הַנֶּ֔פֶשׁ (han·ne·p̄eš)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

but take
קַֽח־ (qaḥ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

the goods for yourself.”
וְהָרְכֻ֖שׁ (wə·hā·rə·ḵuš)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7399: Property, goods


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OT Law: Genesis 14:21 The king of Sodom said to Abram (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 14:20
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