Genesis 14:21

21 Than sayd the kynge of Sodome vnto Abram: gyue me the soulles and take the goodes to thy selfe.

Genesis 14:21 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 14:21

And the king of Sodom said unto Abram
After the conversation between him and Melchizedek was over: give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself;
meaning by "persons" or "souls", as in the original, his own subjects that had been taken and carried away by the four kings, and were now brought back by Abram; and by "the goods", those of his own and his subjects, which their conquerors had spoiled them of, but were now recovered, and which he was very willing Abram should have as his right, according to the laws of war, and as a reward of his labours; and very modestly asks for the other, which he did not deny but he might claim as the fruits of his victory: and this also shows, that the king of Sodom, though a Heathen prince, and perhaps a wicked man, yet had more regard to the persons of his subjects than to his own or their goods: the word for "goods" includes all the substance and possession of a man, gold, silver, cattle, and all movables ^F23.

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FOOTNOTES:

F23 R. Sol. Urbin. Ohel Moed, fol. 21. 2.

Genesis 14:21 In-Context

19 blessed hym saynge. Blessed be Abram vnto the most hyghest God possessor of heauen and erth.

20 And blessed be God the most hyghest which hath delyvered thyne enimies in to thy handes. And Abra gaue hym tythes of all.

21 Than sayd the kynge of Sodome vnto Abram: gyue me the soulles and take the goodes to thy selfe.

22 And Abram answered the kynge of Sodome: I lyfte vpp my hande vnto the LORde God most hygh possessor of heaven ad erth

23 that I will not take of all yt is thyne so moch as a thred or a shoulacher lest thou shuldest saye I haue made Abra ryche.