Genesis 14:18-20: Edit history

Revision #14521

Genesis 14:18-20

Localized for English-speaking readers

Status: approved

Changes from the previous English revision

= ## Context

- In Genesis 14 a coalition of four kings, among them Chedorlaomer, attacks the region around Sodom and carries off Abram's nephew Lot. Abram (later Abraham) pursues them with 318 trained servants "born in his own house" and recovers Lot and the goods. On his return, the king of Sodom meets him in "the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale." At this point Melchizedek, king of Salem, brings out bread and wine and blesses Abram. In the Old Testament, Melchizedek appears only in this scene and in Psalm 110; nothing is recorded of his genealogy or later life. In the verses that follow (21-24), Abram refuses the goods offered by the king of Sodom and swears by "the LORD, the most high God." Here Abram identifies the God whom Melchizedek invoked as the LORD.

+ In Genesis 14 a coalition of four kings, among them Chedorlaomer, attacks the region around Sodom and carries off Abram's nephew Lot. Abram (later Abraham) pursues them with 318 trained servants "born in his own house" and recovers Lot and the goods. On his return, the king of Sodom meets him in "the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale." At this point Melchizedek, king of Salem, brings out bread and wine and blesses Abram. In the Old Testament, Melchizedek appears only in this scene and in Psalm 110; nothing is recorded of his genealogy or later life. In the verses that follow (21-24), Abram refuses the goods offered by the king of Sodom and swears by "the LORD, the most high God." In this way Abram confesses the God whom Melchizedek invoked to be the LORD.

= ## Interpretation

…

= ## Debates and Issues

= - **Application to tithing**: Some argue that because this episode precedes the Law, the principle of the tithe remains valid today. Others counter that the passage merely records a single gift from the spoils of war and is a narrative description rather than a command. This question is treated in more detail in the article on the tithing debate.

- - **Translation issue**: The Hebrew text of verse 20 reads "he gave him a tenth of all," without naming the giver. The Korean Revised Version and the New Korean Revised Version make explicit that Abram gave to Melchizedek, which agrees with the understanding of Hebrews 7:4.

+ - **Translation issue**: The Hebrew text of verse 20 reads "he gave him a tenth of all," without naming the giver. The Korean Revised Version and the New Korean Revised Version, two standard Korean Bible translations, make explicit that Abram gave to Melchizedek, which agrees with the understanding of Hebrews 7:4.

= - **The identity of Melchizedek**: He is generally understood to have been a historical Canaanite king and priest. A minority view holds that he was a preincarnate appearance of Christ, and a Jewish tradition identifies him with Shem, the son of Noah. Salem is commonly identified with Jerusalem on the basis of Psalm 76:2.

= ## In the Korean Church

- In sermons on tithing, this passage is frequently cited alongside Malachi 3:8-10 as evidence that the tithe existed even before the Law.

+ In Korean churches, sermons on tithing frequently cite this passage alongside Malachi 3:8-10 as evidence that the tithe existed even before the Law.

= ## Related Passages

…

In this passage Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the most high God, blesses Abram on his return from battle, and Abram gives him a tenth. The passage is frequently cited in connection with the typological reading of Christ in the Epistle to the Hebrews and in discussions of tithing.
Genesis 14:18-20 is the passage in which Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the most high God, blesses Abram on his return from battle, and Abram gives him a tenth. It is frequently cited in connection with the Epistle to the Hebrews' reading of Melchizedek as a type of Christ and in discussions of tithing.

Full revision

Genesis 14:18-20 is the passage in which Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the most high God, blesses Abram on his return from battle, and Abram gives him a tenth. It is frequently cited in connection with the Epistle to the Hebrews' reading of Melchizedek as a type of Christ and in discussions of tithing.

Context

In Genesis 14 a coalition of four kings, among them Chedorlaomer, attacks the region around Sodom and carries off Abram's nephew Lot. Abram (later Abraham) pursues them with 318 trained servants "born in his own house" and recovers Lot and the goods. On his return, the king of Sodom meets him in "the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale." At this point Melchizedek, king of Salem, brings out bread and wine and blesses Abram. In the Old Testament, Melchizedek appears only in this scene and in Psalm 110; nothing is recorded of his genealogy or later life. In the verses that follow (21-24), Abram refuses the goods offered by the king of Sodom and swears by "the LORD, the most high God." In this way Abram confesses the God whom Melchizedek invoked to be the LORD.

Interpretation

The reading of Hebrews: Hebrews 7 reads Melchizedek as a type (a figure that foreshadows something to come) of the eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ. Hebrews interprets his name as "King of righteousness" and the title king of Salem as "King of peace." It further argues that because Abraham gave him a tenth and received his blessing, Melchizedek is greater than the Levitical priests.
A foreshadowing of the Eucharist: Some of the early church fathers saw the bread and wine as a type of the Eucharist. The traditional Eucharistic Prayer of the Catholic Mass also mentions the offering of Melchizedek. By contrast, John Calvin and other Reformers regarded the bread and wine not as an offering presented to God but as food provided for Abram and his men.
A tithe before the Law: The passage is read as an instance of the tithe existing before the Mosaic Law was given.

Debates and Issues

Application to tithing: Some argue that because this episode precedes the Law, the principle of the tithe remains valid today. Others counter that the passage merely records a single gift from the spoils of war and is a narrative description rather than a command. This question is treated in more detail in the article on the tithing debate.
Translation issue: The Hebrew text of verse 20 reads "he gave him a tenth of all," without naming the giver. The Korean Revised Version and the New Korean Revised Version, two standard Korean Bible translations, make explicit that Abram gave to Melchizedek, which agrees with the understanding of Hebrews 7:4.
The identity of Melchizedek: He is generally understood to have been a historical Canaanite king and priest. A minority view holds that he was a preincarnate appearance of Christ, and a Jewish tradition identifies him with Shem, the son of Noah. Salem is commonly identified with Jerusalem on the basis of Psalm 76:2.

In the Korean Church

In Korean churches, sermons on tithing frequently cite this passage alongside Malachi 3:8-10 as evidence that the tithe existed even before the Law.

Related Passages

Psalm 110:4
Hebrews 7:1-10
Genesis 28:20-22
Malachi 3:8-10

Revision	Time (UTC)	Contributor	Summary	Status
#14521	2026-11-05 01:48:32	AI localization	Localized for English-speaking readers	approved
#14520	2026-11-05 01:48:32	AI localization	English baseline before localization	approved