Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 14ΓΕΝΕΣΙΣ ΙΔ′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

The chapter is a self-contained narrative block without parallel elsewhere in the Pentateuch: a coalition war among nine kings of the southern Levant (14:1–12), Abram's lightning rescue of the captive Lot (14:13–16), and a double encounter upon Abram's return — first with the king of Sodom (14:17, 21–24) and, inserted between, the mysterious priest-king Melchizedek of Salem (14:18–20).

Translation & textual notes

The Greek text of Genesis 14 follows the standard critical text of the Septuagint as established in the Rahlfs–Hanhart edition (Septuaginta, rev. ed. 2006), an ancient and public-domain text; the critical apparatus is not reproduced. The chapter is a self-contained narrative block without parallel elsewhere in the Pentateuch: a coalition war among nine kings of the southern Levant (14:1–12), Abram's lightning rescue of the captive Lot (14:13–16), and a double encounter upon Abram's return — first with the king of Sodom (14:17, 21–24) and, inserted between, the mysterious priest-king Melchizedek of Salem (14:18–20). The LXX renders the royal names as transliterations rather than translations — Αμαρφαλ (Amraphel), Αριοχ (Arioch), Χοδολλογομορ (Chedorlaomer), Θαργαλ (Tidal), Αβαλα (Bela/Zoar), Βαλακ (Balak), Σεννααρ (Shinar), Ελλασαρ (Ellasar), and the rest — though one rendering stands apart: at 14:13 the LXX translates 'Abram the Hebrew' not as Αβραμ τῷ Εβραίῳ but as Αβραμ τῷ περάτῃ, 'Abram the one-who-crossed-over.' This is an etymological translation of the Hebrew עִבְרִי (ʿibrî), derived from the root עָבַר (ʿābar, 'to cross / pass over'), and it is unique in the LXX Pentateuch; the translators have replaced a transliteration with an interpretation, signalling that the name denotes Abram's status as a river-crosser (presumably of the Euphrates, as in Josh 24:2–3), and perhaps also his status as one who has 'crossed over' into covenant relationship. The central theological event of the chapter — and perhaps of the entire Abram cycle — is the appearance of Μελχισεδεκ βασιλεὺς Σαλήμ in 14:18–20. The LXX renders this passage closely: Melchizedek is βασιλεὺς Σαλήμ ('king of Salem,' understood from antiquity as Jerusalem — cf. Ps 75:3 LXX; Josephus, Ant. 1.180) and ἱερεὺς τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ὑψίστου ('priest of God Most High'). He brings out ἄρτους καὶ οἶνον ('bread and wine') — a gesture whose priestly-eucharistic resonance the NT and patristic tradition will exploit — and he blesses Abram in the name of θεὸς ὕψιστος ('God Most High'), and Abram gives him δεκάτην ἀπὸ πάντων ('a tithe of all things'). The divine title θεὸς ὕψιστος (El Elyon) occurs here for the first time in the LXX and is the title Abram himself adopts in his oath to the king of Sodom (14:22): κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ ὕψιστος — identifying the God of the covenant with the God whom Melchizedek serves. The Melchizedek episode becomes the exegetical foundation for the whole argument of Hebrews 5–7: Ps 109:4 LXX (σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδεκ, 'you are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek') is read in Hebrews 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:11, 15, 17, 21 as a christological oracle, and the logic of Hebrews 7 — that Melchizedek's priesthood is superior to the Levitical because Levi was 'still in the loins of his ancestor' when Abram paid the tithe (Heb 7:9–10) — depends on the Genesis 14:20 LXX text δεκάτην ἀπὸ πάντων. At 14:14 the LXX notes that Abram 'numbered his own home-born servants' — ἠρίθμησεν τοὺς ἰδίους οἰκογενεῖς — 318 in number (τριακοσίους δέκα καὶ ὀκτώ), a detail that fascinated the Alexandrian exegetes; Barnabas 9:7–8 reads the number as a christological cipher (ΙΗ = 18 = Iesous, Τ = 300 = the cross). Abram's solemn oath at 14:22–23 — ἀρῶ τὴν χεῖρά μου πρὸς τὸν κύριον ('I raise my hand to the Lord') — is the first oath-with-raised-hand in the LXX and models the swearing formula that appears throughout the patriarchal and legal corpora.

1

Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῇ Αμαρφαλ βασιλέως Σεννααρ, Αριοχ βασιλεὺς Ελλασαρ, Χοδολλογομορ βασιλεὺς Αιλαμ, καὶ Θαργαλ βασιλεὺς ἐθνῶν,

And it came to pass in the days of Amarphal king of Sennaar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chodollogomor king of Ailam, and Thargal king of nations,

Narrative frame / scene-settingἘγένετο δέ
The Ἐγένετο δέ construction (contrast with the καὶ ἐγένετο of Ruth/Judges) opens the chapter with the distinctive LXX temporal frame but with the adversative-continuative δέ marking a new scene in the larger Abram narrative; v.1 is a long suspended nominal sentence whose main verb will follow in v.2 — the four kings are introduced here as the grammatical subject of the war-making narrated there.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
Ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (narrative frame, framing formula)→ constative aorist (inaugurating the scene)γίνομαι: 'come to pass / happen'; the formula Ἐγένετο δέ calques Hebrew וַיְהִי but with δέ rather than καί, marking this scene as continuation of the Abram narrative rather than a fresh beginning.
δὲnow / andpostpositive adversative-continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal: 'in the days of')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal: 'in the days of').
τῇtheDativearticle with βασιλείᾳ→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλείᾳreign / kingdomDativedative of time (temporal: 'in the reign of')→ sphere or referenceβασιλεία: 'reign / kingdom'; renders Hebrew בִּימֵי ('in the days of'); the LXX choice of βασιλεία rather than ἡμέραι ('days') is an interpretive elevation — it foregrounds the royal register appropriate to a chapter about kings.
τῇtheDativearticle (anaphoric, with Αμαρφαλ genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμαρφαλAmarphalindeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession (reign of Amarphal)→ participant identificationΑμαρφαλ: LXX transliteration of Hebrew אַמְרָפֶל (Amraphel); traditionally identified by early modern commentators with Hammurabi of Babylon (though the identification is now considered uncertain); king of Σεννααρ (Shinar = Babylonia, cf. Gen 10:10; 11:2; Dan 1:2 LXX). The name is indeclinable in Greek; its indeclinability signals its foreign origin.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of apposition (in apposition to Αμαρφαλ)→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; the four kings introduced in this verse are grammatically in apposition to one another, forming a compound subject for the war of v.2.
ΣεννααρSennaarindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location (king of Sennaar)→ participant identificationΣεννααρ: LXX transliteration of שִׁנְעָר (Shinar), the region of Babylonia (cf. Gen 10:10; 11:2); the name recurs at Dan 1:2 LXX where Nebuchadnezzar's land of origin is likewise Σεννααρ.
ΑριοχAriochindeclinable proper noun, subject (second king in the coalition)→ participant identificationΑριοχ: LXX transliteration of אַרְיוֹךְ (Arioch); king of Ελλασαρ (Ellasar); the name is possibly Hurrian or Sumerian in origin.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativepredicate nominative (in apposition, identifying Αριοχ's title)→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as predicate nominative (in apposition, identifying Αριοχ's title).
ΕλλασαρEllasarindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location (king of Ellasar)→ participant identificationΕλλασαρ: LXX transliteration of אֶלָּסָר; variously identified with Larsa in Mesopotamia or with another city-state; location uncertain.
ΧοδολλογομορChodollogomorindeclinable proper noun, subject (third and paramount king)→ participant identificationΧοδολλογομορ: LXX transliteration of כְּדָרְלָעֹמֶר (Chedorlaomer); king of Αιλαμ (Elam, the region east of Mesopotamia); he is the paramount king to whom the five Canaanite kings had been subject (v.4) — the war is his retaliatory campaign.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativepredicate nominative (apposition: title of Chodollogomor)→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as predicate nominative (apposition: title of Chodollogomor).
ΑιλαμAilamindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location (king of Ailam)→ participant identificationΑιλαμ: LXX transliteration of עֵילָם (Elam); the ancient kingdom east of Mesopotamia, in present-day southwestern Iran.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (connecting the fourth king)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΘαργαλThargalindeclinable proper noun, subject (fourth king)→ participant identificationΘαργαλ: LXX transliteration of תִּדְעָל (Tidal); called 'king of nations (ἐθνῶν),' i.e. king over a confederacy of peoples rather than a single city-state; his ethnic or national identity is unknown.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativepredicate nominative (title of Thargal)→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as predicate nominative (title of Thargal).
ἐθνῶνof nationsGenitivegenitive of relationship (king of nations)→ relational specificationἔθνος: 'nation / people'; renders Hebrew גּוֹיִם; 'king of nations' suggests a ruler over a confederation of peoples. ἔθνη in the LXX often carries the sense of 'Gentile nations' as distinct from Israel.
2

ἐποίησαν πόλεμον μετὰ Βαλα βασιλέως Σοδομων καὶ μετὰ Βαρσα βασιλέως Γομορρας καὶ Σεναβ βασιλέως Αδαμα καὶ Συνοβορ βασιλέως Σεβωιμ καὶ βασιλέως Βαλακ, αὕτη ἐστὶν Σηγωρ.

they made war against Bala king of Sodom, and against Barsa king of Gomorrah, and Senab king of Adama, and Synobar king of Seboim, and the king of Balak, which is Segor.

Continuation / narrative actionasyndeton
Asyndeton continues the suspended sentence from v.1; ἐποίησαν πόλεμον ('made war') is the main verb completing the Ἐγένετο frame of v.1. Five Canaanite kings are listed as the opposing coalition — the asyndeton mirrors the rapid enumeration of the four eastern kings in v.1 and gives the battle-list its formulaic character.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ἐποίησανthey madeAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (completing the ἐγένετο frame of v.1)→ constative aorist (single act of warfare)ποιέω: 'do / make'; ποιέω πόλεμον renders עָשׂוּ מִלְחָמָה ('made war'), a Hebraism; the verb-object idiom is a calque of the Hebrew construction.
πόλεμονwarAccusativedirect object (of ποιέω: Hebraistic idiom 'make war')→ object specificationπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; renders מִלְחָמָה; the compound expression ποιέω πόλεμον is a Hebraism for the Hebrew verbal phrase עָשָׂה מִלְחָמָה.
μετὰagainstpreposition + genitive (hostile sense: 'against')→ spatial or relational framingμετά + genitive: normally 'with'; but here in a hostile/adversarial sense ('against'), a Hebraism calquing עִם or אֶת in military contexts.
ΒαλαBalaGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, object of μετά (first opposing king)→ participant identificationΒαλα: LXX transliteration of בֶּלַע (Bela); king of Σοδομων (Sodom); the city of Sodom will recur in the Lot narrative and in Gen 18–19; its destruction will be the great negative exemplum of the patriarchal narratives.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of apposition (identifying Βαλα as king)→ relational specificationβασιλέως: meaning 'king'; it serves as genitive of apposition (identifying Βαλα as king).
Σοδομωνof SodomGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location→ participant identificationΣοδομων: LXX genitive form of Σοδομα (Sodom); the city already infamous for its moral state (13:13); its king will reappear in vv.17, 21–22 in the exchange with Abram.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μετὰagainstpreposition + genitive (hostile: 'against')→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (hostile: 'against').
ΒαρσαBarsaGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, object of μετά (second opposing king)→ participant identificationΒαρσα: LXX transliteration of בֶּרַע (Birsha); king of Γομορρας (Gomorrah); the name may mean 'with wickedness' in Hebrew — a symbolic name appropriate to the city's reputation.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of apposition→ relational specificationβασιλέως: meaning 'king'; it serves as genitive of apposition.
Γομορραςof GomorrahGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location→ participant identificationΓομορρας: genitive of Γομορρα, transliterating עֲמֹרָה (Gomorrah); paired always with Sodom as the twin symbols of judgment (cf. Gen 18–19; Isa 1:9–10; Matt 10:15; Rom 9:29).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣεναβSenabindeclinable proper noun, subject-equivalent (third opposing king)→ participant identificationΣεναβ: LXX transliteration of שִׁנְאָב (Shinab); king of Αδαμα (Admah).
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of apposition→ relational specificationβασιλέως: meaning 'king'; it serves as genitive of apposition.
ΑδαμαAdamaGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location→ participant identificationΑδαμα: transliteration of אַדְמָה (Admah); one of the five cities of the plain; its name resonates with אֲדָמָה ('ground/earth') — an earthen city fated for destruction.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣυνοβορSynobarindeclinable proper noun, subject-equivalent (fourth opposing king)→ participant identificationΣυνοβορ: LXX transliteration of שֶׁמֵאבֶר (Shemeber); king of Σεβωιμ (Zeboim); the city is listed with Sodom, Gomorrah, and Admah among the plain's doomed settlements (Deut 29:23; Hos 11:8).
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of apposition→ relational specificationβασιλέως: meaning 'king'; it serves as genitive of apposition.
Σεβωιμof SeboimGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location→ participant identificationΣεβωιμ: transliteration of צְבֹיִים (Zeboim); one of the cities of the plain.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of apposition (fifth king, unnamed)→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: this fifth king is not named with a royal name; the city Βαλακ (= Bela/Zoar) is itself his identifier; the Hebrew text names him מֶלֶךְ בֶּלַע without a personal name.
ΒαλακBalakindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location (city name serving as king identifier)→ participant identificationΒαλακ: LXX rendering of בֶּלַע (Bela); this is the city's name, not the king's; identified in the parenthetical gloss as Segor (Zoar), the small city Lot will later flee to (Gen 19:20–22).
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun, subject (of the explanatory parenthesis)→ participant referenceαὕτη: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative pronoun, subject (of the explanatory parenthesis).
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopulative verb (explanatory parenthesis: 'which is Segor')→ gnomic present (identifying equivalence)εἰμί: the parenthetical 'αὕτη ἐστίν' is an LXX explanatory gloss identifying the archaic name Balak/Bela with Segor (Zoar), the same city known to later readers; cf. the similar glosses at Gen 14:3, 17.
ΣηγωρSegorindeclinable proper noun, predicate (explanatory identification)→ participant identificationΣηγωρ: LXX transliteration of צֹעַר (Zoar / Segor), 'smallness / insignificance'; the city that Lot escapes to in Gen 19; its smallness is noted by Lot himself (19:20).
3

πάντες οὗτοι συνεφώνησαν ἐπὶ τὴν φάραγγα τὴν ἁλυκήν, αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ θάλασσα τῶν ἁλῶν.

All these joined together at the Salt Valley — this is the Salt Sea.

Geographical orientation / parenthetical identificationasyndeton
Asyndeton; the verse gives the battle site and identifies it for later readers with the well-known Salt Sea (the Dead Sea). The explanatory parenthesis αὕτη ἐστίν recurs from v.2 and is characteristic of the LXX translator's effort to orient contemporary readers to archaic geography.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
πάντεςallNominativesubject adjective (collective: 'all these')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / every'; here with οὗτοι as 'all these' referring back to the five Canaanite kings of v.2.
οὗτοιtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun, subject→ participant referenceοὗτοι: meaning 'these'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative pronoun, subject.
συνεφώνησανjoined together / assembledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · συμφωνέωmain verb (military muster)→ constative aorist (single act of assembly)συμφωνέω: 'agree together / come together'; renders Hebrew נֶחְבְּרוּ ('allied themselves / mustered'); the verb has a musical or harmonic connotation ('sound together') but in context means military coalition; cf. the NT συμφωνέω in agreements (Matt 18:19; Acts 5:9).
ἐπὶatpreposition + accusative (location: 'at the valley')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (location: 'at the valley').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φάραγγαvalley / ravineAccusativedirect object / locative (place of assembly)→ object specificationφάραγξ: 'ravine / valley / gorge'; renders Hebrew עֵמֶק ('valley / plain'); the Vale of Siddim was the battleground; later identified by the gloss with the Salt Sea (Dead Sea).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (attributive with ἁλυκήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁλυκήνsalt / saltyAccusativeattributive adjective (describing the valley)→ object specificationἁλυκός: 'salty / salt'; renders Hebrew הַמֶּלַח ('the salt'); the Salt Valley / Vale of Siddim was a famous geographical landmark; its identification with the Dead Sea follows the Hebrew text (עֵמֶק הַשִּׂדִּים הוּא יָם הַמֶּלַח).
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun, subject (explanatory parenthesis)→ participant referenceαὕτη: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative pronoun, subject (explanatory parenthesis).
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopulative verb (parenthetical identification)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: equative 'is'; the question of identity is the question of the whole chapter — is this really the woman who left full?
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θάλασσαseaNominativepredicate nominative (identification: 'the Salt Sea')→ participant prominenceθάλασσα: 'sea'; renders Hebrew יָם ('sea'); the Dead Sea (יָם הַמֶּלַח / θάλασσα τῶν ἁλῶν) is the lowest point on earth, a recurring geographical marker in the Pentateuch.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁλῶνsaltsGenitivegenitive of description (the Sea of Salts = the Salt Sea)→ relational specificationἅλς: 'salt'; plural ἁλῶν renders Hebrew הַמֶּלַח; the Dead Sea was named for its extreme salinity, which makes it inhospitable to fish and most life — a natural emblem of desolation and judgment.
4

δώδεκα ἔτη ἐδούλευσαν τῷ Χοδολλογομορ, τῷ δὲ τρισκαιδεκάτῳ ἔτει ἀπέστησαν.

For twelve years they served Chodollogomor, and in the thirteenth year they revolted.

Flashback / political backgroundδώδεκα ἔτη
Temporal frame setting the political background to the war: a twelve-year vassalage followed by rebellion in the thirteenth year. The verse is a retrospective explanation (flashback) inserted to explain the motivation for the eastern kings' campaign; it subordinates the Canaanite kings under Chodollogomor's paramount authority.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
δώδεκαtwelvenumeral (accusative of duration with ἔτη)→ clausal contributionδώδεκα: 'twelve'; indeclinable numeral; the twelve-year servitude followed by thirteenth-year rebellion creates a political rhythm that echoes the tribute-and-revolt pattern well attested in ancient Near Eastern political texts.
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of duration (twelve years)→ object specificationἔτος: 'year'; accusative of extent of time — 'for twelve years' they served.
ἐδούλευσανthey served / were enslavedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · δουλεύωmain verb (political subjection)→ constative aorist (ongoing state viewed as a whole)δουλεύω: 'serve as a slave / be subject to'; renders עָבְדוּ ('served'); the word carries the full weight of servitude — political, economic, military; the five kings were vassals paying tribute.
τῷtoDativearticle (dative with Χοδολλογομορ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧοδολλογομορChodollogomorindeclinable proper noun, dative of the one served (suzerain)→ participant identificationΧοδολλογομορ: the paramount king of the eastern coalition (cf. v.1); his name recurs as the political anchor — the others serve him and wage war on his behalf.
τῷtheDativearticle (dative of time with ἔτει)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbut / andpostpositive adversative particle (marking the reversal)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τρισκαιδεκάτῳthirteenthDativedative of time (in the thirteenth year)→ sphere or referenceτρισκαιδέκατος: 'thirteenth'; the rebellion in the thirteenth year terminates the twelve-year tribute — the number thirteen carries the connotation of irregularity and reversal in ancient numerology.
ἔτειyearDativedative of time (locative: 'in the year')→ sphere or referenceἔτει: meaning 'year'; it serves as dative of time (locative: 'in the year').
ἀπέστησανthey revolted / defectedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀφίστημιmain verb (revolt / rebellion)→ ingressive aorist (onset of the rebellion)ἀφίστημι: 'stand away from / revolt / defect'; renders מָרָדוּ ('rebelled'); the ingressive aorist marks the moment of uprising. The verb ἀφίστημι in the NT frequently means apostasy or falling away (Luke 8:13; 1 Tim 4:1; Heb 3:12).
5

ἐν δὲ τῷ τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτῳ ἔτει ἦλθεν Χοδολλογομορ καὶ οἱ βασιλεῖς οἱ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ κατέκοψαν τοὺς γίγαντας τοὺς ἐν Ασταρωθ Καρναιν καὶ ἔθνη ἰσχυρὰ ἅμα αὐτοῖς καὶ τοὺς Ομμιν τοὺς ἐν Σαβη τῇ πόλει.

And in the fourteenth year Chodollogomor and the kings with him came, and they cut down the giants in Astaroth Karnaim, and mighty nations together with them, and the Ommin in the city of Sabe.

Narrative resumption (retaliatory campaign)ἐν δὲ τῷ τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτῳ ἔτει
The temporal frame 'in the fourteenth year' resumes from v.4's rebellion and begins the narrative of the eastern kings' punitive campaign. The list of conquered peoples across vv.5–7 is a sweeping geographic catalogue, reminiscent of the Table of Nations in Gen 10, establishing the military reach of Chodollogomor's coalition before they engage the five city-kings.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
δὲand / butpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtheDativearticle (dative of time with ἔτει)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτῳfourteenthDativedative of time (in the fourteenth year)→ sphere or referenceτεσσαρεσκαιδέκατος: 'fourteenth'; the fourteenth year completes the twelve-year servitude + thirteenth-year rebellion + fourteenth-year punitive campaign sequence.
ἔτειyearDativedative of time→ sphere or referenceἔτει: meaning 'year'; it serves as dative of time.
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (military advance)→ constative aorist (single campaign movement)ἔρχομαι: 'come / arrive'; renders בָּא; the singular verb with compound subject (Χοδολλογομορ and the kings) is a Hebraism — the coalition is treated as a unified force under the paramount king.
ΧοδολλογομορChodollogomorindeclinable proper noun, subject (paramount king leading the campaign)→ participant identificationΧοδολλογομορ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject (paramount king leading the campaign).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεῖς)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖςkingsNominativesubject (compound: the allied kings)→ participant prominenceβασιλεῖς: meaning 'kings'; it serves as subject (compound: the allied kings).
οἱtheNominativearticle (attributive, with μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (association: the kings with him)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (association: the kings with him).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive of association (with Chodollogomor)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of association (with Chodollogomor).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrative sequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατέκοψανthey cut down / defeatedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κατακόπτωmain verb (military destruction)→ constative aorist (single act of battle)κατακόπτω: 'cut down / hack to pieces / defeat'; renders Hebrew וַיַּכּוּ ('struck / smote'); a vivid verb of violent military action; the LXX uses κατακόπτω to capture the thoroughness of the slaughter.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γίγανταςgiantsAccusativedirect object (the peoples defeated: the giants)→ object specificationγίγας: 'giant'; renders Hebrew רְפָאִים (Rephaim), the legendary pre-Israelite giant clans who inhabited Canaan and Transjordan (cf. Gen 6:4; Deut 2:11, 20; 3:11); the LXX consistently renders רְפָאִים as γίγαντες — a bold interpretive choice connecting these ancient peoples to the tradition of the Titans.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (locative: 'those in Astaroth Karnaim')→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΑσταρωθAstarothindeclinable proper noun, dative of location (city)→ participant identificationΑσταρωθ Καρναιν: LXX transliteration of עַשְׁתְּרֹת קַרְנַיִם; a city in Bashan (Transjordan), associated with the Rephaim in Deut 1:4; the name Ashtaroth connects to the Canaanite goddess Astarte.
ΚαρναινKarnaimindeclinable proper noun, part of compound place-name→ participant identificationΚαρναιν: 'the two-horned [city]'; with Ασταρωθ, forms the compound place-name Αστερωθ Καρναιν (cf. Amos 6:13 LXX).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔθνηnations / peoplesAccusativedirect object (additional peoples defeated)→ object specificationἔθνος: 'nation / people'; here the Ζουζίμ or Zuzim of the Hebrew (rendered by the LXX as unspecified 'strong nations'): the LXX translator may have read the Hebrew differently from the MT.
ἰσχυρὰstrong / mightyAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔθνη)→ object specificationἰσχυρός: 'strong / mighty / powerful'; the LXX uses ἰσχυρός to characterize these peoples as formidable, explaining why the eastern coalition's victory over them is noteworthy.
ἅμαtogether withadverb (manner: together with them)→ clausal contributionἅμα: 'at the same time / together'; an adverb indicating simultaneity or company; used here to link the defeat of multiple peoples in the same campaign sweep.
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative of association (together with them = the giants)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of association (together with them = the giants).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΟμμινOmminindeclinable proper noun, direct object (another people group)→ participant identificationΟμμιν: LXX transliteration of אֵימִים (Emim), 'the Terrifying Ones'; another giant-clan of Transjordan (cf. Deut 2:10–11 where they are equated with the Rephaim); their name suggests dread and awe.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (locative: 'those in Sabe')→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΣαβηSabeindeclinable proper noun, dative of location→ participant identificationΣαβη: LXX transliteration of שָׁוֵה קִרְיָתַיִם (Shaveh Kiriathaim); a plain in Moab associated with the Emim/Rephaim (cf. Deut 2:9–10).
τῇtheDativearticle (dative with πόλει)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλειcityDativedative of location (in the city of Sabe)→ sphere or referenceπόλις: 'city'; the Sabe of the LXX is a city; the Hebrew Kiriathaim means 'two cities,' a dual place-name that the LXX renders with the singular πόλις.
6

καὶ τοὺς Χορραίους τοὺς ἐν τοῖς ὄρεσι Σηιρ ἕως τῆς τερεβίνθου τῆς Φαραν, ἥ ἐστιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ.

and the Chorraeans in the mountain of Seir as far as the terebinth of Pharan, which is in the wilderness.

Continuation (list of conquered peoples)καὶ
The catalogue of Chodollogomor's conquests continues southward; the Χορραίοι (Horites) in Seir are the pre-Edomite inhabitants of the hill country southeast of the Dead Sea (cf. Gen 36:20–30; Deut 2:12, 22). The geographical sweep from Transjordan to the wilderness of Pharan shows the coalition ranging across a vast arc before converging on the cities of the plain.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (continuing the list)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧορραίουςChorraeans / HoritesAccusativedirect object (people defeated)→ object specificationΧορραῖοι: LXX transliteration and Hellenization of חֹרִי (Horites); the pre-Edomite cave-dwellers of Mount Seir (Deut 2:12); their name may relate to Hebrew חֹר ('cave / hole'). They were displaced by the sons of Esau.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (locative: 'those in the mountains of Seir')→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρεσιmountainsDativedative of location (in the mountains)→ sphere or referenceὄρος: 'mountain'; plural ὄρεσι; renders Hebrew הַר (Har Seir / Mt. Seir); the mountain range east of the Arabah that became the territory of Edom.
ΣηιρSeirindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location (mountains of Seir)→ participant identificationΣηιρ: LXX transliteration of שֵׂעִיר (Seir), 'the hairy / rough'; the name of the mountain range and the land of Edom (cf. Gen 32:3; 36:8–9; Deut 1:2). The eponymous ancestor Seir the Horite is named at Gen 36:20.
ἕωςas far as / untilpreposition + genitive (extent: 'as far as')→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / as far as'; renders עַד; marks the limit of the campaign's southward sweep.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τερεβίνθουterebinthGenitivegenitive of extent (terminus: the terebinth of Pharan)→ relational specificationτερέβινθος: 'terebinth tree' (Pistacia terebinthus); renders Hebrew אֵיל ('large tree / terebinth'); the terebinth was a landmark tree used as a geographic marker and cult site throughout the patriarchal narratives (Gen 12:6; 13:18 — the terebinths of Mamre where Abram camps).
τῆςofGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΦαρανPharanindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location (the terebinth of Pharan)→ participant identificationΦαραν: LXX transliteration of פָּארָן (Paran); the wilderness east/northeast of Sinai and the Gulf of Aqaba (cf. Num 10:12; 13:3; 1 Kgs 11:18). Its mention here marks the southernmost limit of the coalition's campaign.
ἥwhichNominativerelative pronoun, subject (explanatory clause about Pharan)→ participant referenceἥ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun, subject (explanatory clause about Pharan).
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopulative verb (parenthetical identification)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρήμῳwilderness / desertDativedative of location (in the wilderness)→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness / desert / uninhabited region'; renders Hebrew מִדְבָּר; the same wilderness through which Israel will wander; its presence here frames the patriarchal geography as the arena of Israel's later salvation history.
7

καὶ ἀναστρέψαντες ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὴν πηγὴν τῆς κρίσεως, αὕτη ἐστὶν Καδης, καὶ κατέκοψαν πάντας τοὺς ἄρχοντας Αμαληκ καὶ τοὺς Αμορραίους τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐν Ασασαν Θαμαρ.

And turning back they came to the spring of judgment — this is Kadesh — and they cut down all the rulers of Amalek and the Amorites who were dwelling in Asasan Thamar.

Narrative sequence (return sweep of the campaign)καὶ ἀναστρέψαντες
The coalition turns back northward after reaching the southern limit at Pharan and strikes the spring of Kadesh — a place that will become theologically significant in the wilderness narratives (Num 13–20). The repeated κατέκοψαν drives the relentless rhythm of conquest. The third explanatory parenthesis (αὕτη ἐστίν) again identifies an archaic name for the reader.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναστρέψαντεςhaving turned backAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἀναστρέφωtemporal participle (antecedent action: 'after turning back')→ constative aorist participle (completed turning)ἀναστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; the participle marks the direction-change of the campaign — having swept south, the coalition now reverses course northward; Hebraizing paratactic style treats the turn and the march as one action.
ἦλθονcameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (arrival)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι (aor. ἦλθον): 'come / go'; the messengers carry Saul's promise back to the besieged city.
ἐπὶto / uponpreposition + accusative (goal: 'to the spring')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal: 'to the spring').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πηγὴνspringAccusativedirect object / goal of motion→ object specificationπηγή: 'spring / source of water'; renders Hebrew עֵין (Ein, 'spring') — thus 'Ein Mishpat' in the Hebrew = 'Spring of Judgment'; the LXX renders מִשְׁפָּט ('judgment') as κρίσεως, making the toponym interpretive.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κρίσεωςjudgmentGenitivegenitive of definition (the spring of judgment = Ein Mishpat)→ relational specificationκρίσις: 'judgment / decision / legal verdict'; renders Hebrew מִשְׁפָּט ('judgment'); the spring named 'Judgment' anticipates the place of legal assembly and dispute in Num 20:1–13.
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun, subject (parenthetical identification)→ participant referenceαὕτη: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative pronoun, subject (parenthetical identification).
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopulative verb (identification)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: equative 'is'; the question of identity is the question of the whole chapter — is this really the woman who left full?
ΚαδηςKadeshindeclinable proper noun, predicate (identification of the spring)→ participant identificationΚαδης: LXX transliteration of קָדֵשׁ (Kadesh, 'the holy place'); the desert oasis that will be the base camp for Israel's wilderness wanderings (Num 13:26; 20:1); the identification of the ancient Ein Mishpat with Kadesh is the narrator's geographic update for his readers.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατέκοψανthey cut down / defeatedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κατακόπτωmain verb (military action, repeated from v.5)→ constative aoristκατακόπτω: repeated from v.5; drives the rhythmic catalogue of conquests.
πάνταςallAccusativequantifier adjective (modifying τοὺς ἄρχοντας)→ object specificationπάντας: meaning 'all'; it serves as quantifier adjective (modifying τοὺς ἄρχοντας).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄρχονταςrulers / chiefsAccusativedirect object (tribal leaders defeated)→ object specificationἄρχων: 'ruler / chief / prince'; renders Hebrew שְׂדֵה ('field / territory'); the LXX reads the Hebrew differently here — MT has 'all the territory of the Amalekites' but the LXX renders 'all the rulers/chiefs of Amalek.' This is a significant translation divergence.
ΑμαληκAmalekGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship (rulers of Amalek)→ participant identificationΑμαληκ: LXX transliteration of עֲמָלֵק (Amalek); the wilderness people who will become Israel's paradigmatic enemy (Exod 17:8–16; Deut 25:17–19; 1 Sam 15); their mention here is a proleptic foreshadowing.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμορραίουςAmoritesAccusativedirect object (second people defeated)→ object specificationΑμορραῖος: LXX Hellenization of אֱמֹרִי (Amorite); one of the pre-Israelite peoples of Canaan; the Amorites appear at Gen 10:16; 15:16, 21; and their iniquity will be the measure of Israel's delay in inheriting the land (Gen 15:16).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (substantival participle: 'the ones dwelling')→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατοικοῦνταςdwelling / inhabitingPres Act Ptc Acc Pl Masc · κατοικέωattributive participle (describing the Amorites' location)→ progressive (ongoing inhabitation)κατοικέω: 'dwell / inhabit / settle'; the standard LXX verb for permanent settlement; the participle τοὺς κατοικοῦντας frames the Amorites as the established population of the site.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΑσασανAsasanindeclinable proper noun, dative of location→ participant identificationΑσασαν Θαμαρ: LXX transliteration of חַצְצוֹן תָּמָר (Hazezon-tamar); a site near the Dead Sea later identified with Engedi (2 Chr 20:2); תָּמָר ('palm tree') gives the site its characteristic vegetation.
ΘαμαρThamarindeclinable proper noun, part of compound place-name→ participant identificationΘαμαρ: transliteration of תָּמָר ('palm tree'); the compound Ασασαν Θαμαρ = 'Hazezon of the Palms'; near the western shore of the Dead Sea.
8

ἐξῆλθεν δὲ βασιλεὺς Σοδομων καὶ βασιλεὺς Γομορρας καὶ βασιλεὺς Αδαμα καὶ βασιλεὺς Σεβωιμ καὶ βασιλεὺς Βαλακ, αὕτη ἐστὶν Σηγωρ, καὶ παρετάξαντο αὐτοῖς εἰς πόλεμον ἐν τῇ φάραγγι τῇ ἁλυκῇ.

And the king of Sodom went out, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Adama, and the king of Seboim, and the king of Balak — this is Segor — and they drew up in battle against them in the Salt Valley.

Narrative resumption (the Canaanite kings take the field)ἐξῆλθεν δὲ
After the catalogue of vv.5–7 establishing the eastern coalition's military dominance, the five city-kings finally take the field. The five are re-listed in full — echoing v.2 in a ring structure — and the explanatory gloss αὕτη ἐστὶν Σηγωρ from v.2 is repeated, framing the battle scene with the identification of Balak / Segor.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (the five kings sortie from their cities)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / come out'; renders יָצָא; the five kings emerge from their cities to meet the eastern coalition in the valley — a tactically defensive response becoming an offensive sortie.
δὲand / nowpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (first of the five)→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject (first of the five).
Σοδομωνof SodomGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location→ participant identificationΣοδομων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of location.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (second king)→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject (second king).
Γομορραςof GomorrahGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location→ participant identificationΓομορρας: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of location.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (third king)→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject (third king).
Αδαμαof Adamaindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location→ participant identificationΑδαμα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of location.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (fourth king)→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject (fourth king).
Σεβωιμof SeboimGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location→ participant identificationΣεβωιμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of location.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (fifth king)→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject (fifth king).
ΒαλακBalakindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location (city name)→ participant identificationΒαλακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of location (city name).
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (parenthetical identification, repeated from v.2)→ participant referenceαὕτη: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative pronoun (parenthetical identification, repeated from v.2).
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopulative verb→ gnomic presentεἰμί: equative 'is'; the question of identity is the question of the whole chapter — is this really the woman who left full?
ΣηγωρSegorindeclinable proper noun, predicate (= Zoar)→ participant identificationΣηγωρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, predicate (= Zoar).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrative action following)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρετάξαντοthey drew up in battleAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · παρατάσσωmain verb (military formation)→ constative aorist (single battle deployment)παρατάσσω: 'draw up in battle order / array for battle'; renders Hebrew וַיַּעַרְכוּ ('they arrayed'); the middle voice suggests reflexive deployment — 'they arranged themselves' for battle. The word is a military technical term.
αὐτοῖςagainst themDativedative of opposition (arrayed against the eastern coalition)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'against them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of opposition (arrayed against the eastern coalition).
εἰςfor / intopreposition + accusative (purpose: 'for battle')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: 'for battle').
πόλεμονbattleAccusativeaccusative of purpose (deployed for battle)→ object specificationπόλεμον: meaning 'battle'; it serves as accusative of purpose (deployed for battle).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: battle site)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: battle site).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φάραγγιvalleyDativedative of location (the Salt Valley, repeated from v.3)→ sphere or referenceφάραγξ: 'ravine / valley'; the same battlefield as v.3 (the Salt Valley / Vale of Siddim); the repetition frames the battle geographically.
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁλυκῇsalt / saltyDativeattributive adjective (the Salt Valley, repeated from v.3)→ sphere or referenceἁλυκῇ: meaning 'salt'; it serves as attributive adjective (the Salt Valley, repeated from v.3).
9

πρὸς Χοδολλογομορ βασιλέα Αιλαμ καὶ Θαργαλ βασιλέα ἐθνῶν καὶ Αμαρφαλ βασιλέα Σεννααρ καὶ Αριοχ βασιλέα Ελλασαρ — οἱ τέσσαρες βασιλεῖς πρὸς τοὺς πέντε.

against Chodollogomor king of Ailam, and Thargal king of nations, and Amarphal king of Sennaar, and Arioch king of Ellasar — four kings against the five.

Identification / battle summaryπρὸς
The verse completes the battle deployment formula of v.8 by naming the four eastern kings. The closing summary — 'four kings against the five' — is a lapidary chiasm reversing the order of vv.1–2 (four then five → five then four) and formally seals the build-up before the battle outcome in v.10.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
πρὸςagainstpreposition + accusative (adversarial: 'against')→ spatial or relational framingπρός + accusative: 'toward / against'; the adversarial meaning 'against' is common in military contexts (cf. Luke 14:31 πρὸς ἕτερον βασιλέα εἰς πόλεμον).
ΧοδολλογομορChodollogomorindeclinable proper noun, object of πρός (first eastern king)→ participant identificationΧοδολλογομορ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, object of πρός (first eastern king).
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative in apposition (title: king of Ailam)→ object specificationβασιλέα: meaning 'king'; it serves as accusative in apposition (title: king of Ailam).
Αιλαμof Ailamindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location→ participant identificationΑιλαμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of location.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΘαργαλThargalindeclinable proper noun, object of πρός (second eastern king)→ participant identificationΘαργαλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, object of πρός (second eastern king).
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative in apposition→ object specificationβασιλέα: meaning 'king'; it serves as accusative in apposition.
ἐθνῶνof nationsGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationἐθνῶν: meaning 'of nations'; it serves as genitive of relationship.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑμαρφαλAmarphalindeclinable proper noun, object of πρός (third eastern king)→ participant identificationΑμαρφαλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, object of πρός (third eastern king).
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative in apposition→ object specificationβασιλέα: meaning 'king'; it serves as accusative in apposition.
Σεννααρof Sennaarindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location→ participant identificationΣεννααρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of location.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑριοχAriochindeclinable proper noun, object of πρός (fourth eastern king)→ participant identificationΑριοχ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, object of πρός (fourth eastern king).
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative in apposition→ object specificationβασιλέα: meaning 'king'; it serves as accusative in apposition.
Ελλασαρof Ellasarindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location→ participant identificationΕλλασαρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of location.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with summary clause)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τέσσαρεςfourNominativenumeral adjective, subject of summary→ measure or countτέσσαρες: 'four'; the summary 'four kings against five' is a rhetorical epigram concluding the battle-muster list; the reader knows four defeated five.
βασιλεῖςkingsNominativesubject (summary: the four kings)→ participant prominenceβασιλεῖς: meaning 'kings'; it serves as subject (summary: the four kings).
πρὸςagainstpreposition + accusative (adversarial, in the summary)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (adversarial, in the summary).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πέντεfiveAccusativenumeral, object (the five city-kings)→ measure or countπέντε: 'five'; the summary creates a memorable epigram — four kings vs. five — that highlights the improbability of the four's victory and, by further extension, the astonishing quality of Abram's rescue with only 318 men.
10

ἡ δὲ φάραγξ ἡ ἁλυκὴ φρέατα φρέατα ἀσφάλτου· ἔφυγεν δὲ βασιλεὺς Σοδομων καὶ βασιλεὺς Γομορρας, καὶ ἐνέπεσον ἐκεῖ, οἱ δὲ καταλειφθέντες εἰς τὴν ὀρεινὴν ἔφυγον.

Now the Salt Valley had many bitumen pits; and the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah fled and fell there, and those who were left fled to the mountain.

Explanatory aside + battle resultἡ δὲ φάραγξ ἡ ἁλυκή
The verse explains the topography (bitumen pits) that determined the outcome, then narrates the rout in two clauses: the two senior kings fled and fell into the pits; the survivors fled to the hills. The Hebraizing reduplication φρέατα φρέατα ('pit after pit' / 'many pits') is a classic distributive construction. The doom of Sodom and Gomorrah's kings in the pits anticipates the fire-and-brimstone of Gen 19.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ἡtheNominativearticle (subject of parenthetical clause)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲnow / andpostpositive connective (introducing explanatory aside)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάραγξvalleyNominativesubject (the Salt Valley as a topographic subject)→ participant prominenceφάραγξ: recurring geographic term (cf. vv.3, 8); now functioning as the grammatical subject of the explanatory clause: 'the Salt Valley [had] pits of bitumen.'
ἡtheNominativearticle (attributive with ἁλυκή)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁλυκὴsalt / saltyNominativeattributive adjective (the Salt Valley)→ participant prominenceἁλυκὴ: meaning 'salt'; it serves as attributive adjective (the Salt Valley).
φρέαταpitsNominativepredicate nominative (pits of bitumen; elliptical: 'the valley [was full of] pits')→ participant prominenceφρέαρ: 'pit / well / cistern'; renders Hebrew בְּאֵרֹת; plural φρέατα; the bitumen pits of the Dead Sea region are well attested in antiquity.
φρέαταpitsNominativedistributive reduplication (Hebraism: 'pit after pit / many pits')→ participant prominenceφρέατα φρέατα: the Hebrew בְּאֵרֹת בְּאֵרֹת uses noun reduplication for distributive force ('full of pits'); the LXX faithfully reproduces the idiom; such reduplication is a Hebraism not native to standard Greek (cf. Gen 7:2–3 ἑπτὰ ἑπτά).
ἀσφάλτουof bitumen / asphaltGenitivegenitive of content (pits of bitumen)→ relational specificationἄσφαλτος: 'bitumen / asphalt / pitch'; renders Hebrew חֵמָר; a natural petroleum product found around the Dead Sea in antiquity; used for waterproofing (cf. Gen 6:14 κόπρος = pitch for the ark). The Greek word gives us English 'asphalt.'
ἔφυγενfledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φεύγωmain verb (narrative action: flight of the two kings)→ constative aoristφεύγω: 'flee'; renders וַיָּנָס; the singular verb with compound subject is a Hebraism — the two kings are treated as a unit in flight.
δὲand / nowpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (king of Sodom)→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject (king of Sodom).
Σοδομωνof SodomGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location→ participant identificationΣοδομων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of location.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (king of Gomorrah)→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject (king of Gomorrah).
Γομορραςof GomorrahGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location→ participant identificationΓομορρας: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of location.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνέπεσονfell / fell intoAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐμπίπτωmain verb (catastrophic fall into the pits)→ ingressive aorist (onset of falling)ἐμπίπτω: 'fall into'; renders וַיִּפְּלוּ שָׁמָּה ('they fell there'); the verb and the adverb ἐκεῖ together with the preceding context (bitumen pits) make clear that the kings fell into the pits — a disastrous and ignominious defeat.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (they fell there, sc. into the bitumen pits)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: meaning 'there'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with substantival participle)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲand / butpostpositive adversative particle (contrasting the survivors)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταλειφθέντεςthose left behind / the survivorsAor Pass Ptc Nom Pl Masc · καταλείπωsubstantival participle, subject (the survivors who did not fall)→ constative aorist passive (state of being left/surviving)καταλείπω: 'leave behind / abandon / survive'; the passive participle οἱ καταλειφθέντες = 'those who were left' = 'the survivors'; a common LXX idiom for the remnant (cf. καταλείμμα / שְׁאֵרִית).
εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (goal of flight)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of flight).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀρεινὴνmountain country / hill countryAccusativeaccusative of goal (fled to the hill country)→ object specificationὀρεινή (sc. χώρα): 'the hill country / mountainous region'; renders Hebrew הָהָר ('the mountain'); the survivors fled from the valley floor to the surrounding highlands — a standard escape route in Levantine geography.
ἔφυγονfledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · φεύγωmain verb (flight of the survivors)→ constative aoristφεύγω (aor. ἔφυγον): 'flee'; renders נוּס; the Philistine rout begins — the wager of v.9 reversed, the foreigners fleeing rather than enslaving.
11

ἔλαβον δὲ τὴν ἵππον πᾶσαν Σοδομων καὶ Γομορρας καὶ πάντα τὰ βρώματα αὐτῶν καὶ ἀπῆλθον.

And they took all the property of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their provisions, and went away.

Consequence (the victors plunder the cities)ἔλαβον δὲ
The plundering of Sodom and Gomorrah follows the rout of their kings. The word ἵππον here renders Hebrew רְכֻשׁ ('property / possessions'), not 'horses' — a significant translation observation: the LXX uses ἵππος in an unusual non-equine sense, likely rendering the Hebrew for 'movable property' (LXX ἵππος = possessions/goods in this context).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ἔλαβονthey tookAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (plundering action)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take / seize'; renders וַיִּקְחוּ ('they took'); the plundering of the defeated city's possessions is the expected action of ancient Near Eastern warfare.
δὲand / nowpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἵππονproperty / possessionsAccusativedirect object (all the property: unusual LXX usage)→ object specificationἵππος: normally 'horse'; but here the LXX uses it to render Hebrew רְכֻשׁ ('movable property / possessions / goods') — a remarkable semantic extension, possibly a translation error or a specialist term for 'equipment' or 'gear'; the same unusual use occurs at Gen 12:16 LXX. This is a notable LXX translation crux.
πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjective (all the property)→ object specificationπᾶσαν: meaning 'all'; it serves as attributive adjective (all the property).
Σοδομωνof SodomGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession→ participant identificationΣοδομων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
Γομορραςof GomorrahGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession→ participant identificationΓομορρας: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταallAccusativequantifier adjective (all their provisions)→ object specificationπάντα: meaning 'all'; it serves as quantifier adjective (all their provisions).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βρώματαfoods / provisionsAccusativedirect object (the provisions / food supplies)→ object specificationβρῶμα: 'food / provision / victuals'; renders Hebrew אֹכֶל ('food'); the plundering of provisions — grain, oil, wine — was as valuable as plundering valuables in the ancient world.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (their provisions)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (their provisions).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπῆλθονwent away / departedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (departure of the eastern coalition)→ constative aoristἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; renders וַיֵּלֵכוּ; the brief unadorned departure marks the completion of the plundering action and sets the stage for the introduction of Lot's capture in v.12.
12

ἔλαβον δὲ καὶ τὸν Λωτ υἱὸν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ Αβραμ καὶ τὴν ἀποσκευὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπῆλθον· ἦν γὰρ κατοικῶν ἐν Σοδομοις.

And they also took Lot, the son of Abram's brother, and his possessions and went away, for he was dwelling in Sodom.

Narrative complication (Lot's capture)ἔλαβον δὲ καί
The critical dramatic complication arrives: Lot, Abram's kinsman, has been captured along with the plunder. His capture is the direct result of his choice to settle in Sodom (13:12). The ἦν γάρ clause is a retrospective explanatory aside (imperfect of state) that explains why Lot was there. This is the narrative hook requiring Abram's action.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ἔλαβονthey tookAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (the capture of Lot)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take / seize'; renders לָקַח; the return to aorist marks the shift from the vivid murder-scene to the matter-of-fact escape with the trophy head.
δὲand / nowpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καὶalsoadverbial καί (also / even — adding Lot to the plunder)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: adverbial ('also / even'); emphasises that in addition to goods, they also took Lot — a person, not property, and one with a specific kinship claim on Abram.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΛωτLotindeclinable proper noun, direct object (the captive)→ participant identificationΛωτ: LXX transliteration of לוֹט (Lot); Abram's nephew; he had separated from Abram in Gen 13:11–12 and chose the well-watered plain of the Jordan, pitching his tent toward Sodom. His capture makes him the unwitting casualty of his earlier prosperous-looking choice.
υἱὸνsonAccusativeaccusative in apposition (son of Abram's brother)→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; Lot's precise kinship: he is Abram's nephew (son of Haran, Abram's brother, cf. Gen 11:27).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitivegenitive of relationship (son of the brother = nephew)→ relational specificationἀδελφός: 'brother'; the phrase υἱὸν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ Αβραμ = Abram's nephew; the exact kinship term reinforces Abram's obligation to rescue Lot.
ΑβραμAbramindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΑβραμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀποσκευὴνpossessions / baggageAccusativedirect object (Lot's household goods taken with him)→ object specificationἀποσκευή: 'baggage / household goods / movable possessions'; renders Hebrew רְכֻשׁ ('property'); Lot's material wealth (cf. Gen 13:5–6) is entirely confiscated.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπῆλθονwent awayAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (departure with captives and plunder)→ constative aoristἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; the Philistines withdraw to their territory, the day's fighting over.
ἦνhe wasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (explanatory imperfect: background state)→ stative imperfect (ongoing condition: his dwelling in Sodom)εἰμί: the imperfect ἦν gives the explanatory background — Lot was a resident of Sodom; this is the causal explanation for his capture.
γὰρforpostpositive explanatory conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for / because'; introduces the explanatory clause.
κατοικῶνdwellingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · κατοικέωpredicative participle (with ἦν: periphrastic progressive imperfect)→ progressive (continuous dwelling — emphasising the settled permanence of Lot's Sodomite residence)κατοικέω: 'dwell / settle'; cf. 13:12; the periphrastic ἦν κατοικῶν highlights the settled permanence that made his capture inevitable.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΣοδομοιςSodomDativeindeclinable proper noun, dative of location→ participant identificationΣοδομοις: dative of Σοδομα; the city whose reputation was already established (13:13); Lot's residence there was spiritually perilous, and the capture is the narrative consequence.
13

παραγενόμενος δέ τις διασεσῳσμένος ἀπήγγειλεν Αβραμ τῷ περάτῃ· αὐτὸς δὲ κατῴκει πρὸς τῇ δρυὶ τῇ Μαμβρη τοῦ Αμορραίου τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ Εσχωλ καὶ ἀδελφοῦ Αυναν, οἳ ἦσαν συνωμόται τοῦ Αβραμ.

And a certain survivor came and reported to Abram the Crosser; now he was dwelling by the oak of Mambre the Amorite, the brother of Eschol and the brother of Aunan, who were allies of Abram.

Pivotal report (the news reaches Abram)παραγενόμενος δέ τις
This verse is the narrative pivot: the chain of events shifts from the eastern coalition to Abram. The crucial LXX crux is τῷ περάτῃ — the etymological translation of 'the Hebrew.' A fugitive brings the news and triggers Abram's response. The three Amorite allies (Mambre, Eschol, Aunan) who will reappear at v.24 are here introduced as συνωμόται ('oath-allies').
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
παραγενόμενοςhaving arrived / comingAor Mid Ptc Nom Sg Masc · παραγίνομαιcircumstantial participle (temporal: 'arriving, a certain fugitive reported')→ constative aorist (single arrival)παραγίνομαι: 'arrive / come to / appear'; renders Hebrew וַיָּבֹא; the participle + τις creates a natural narrative transition to a new, unnamed character who serves as messenger.
δέand / nowpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τιςa certain / someoneNominativeindefinite pronoun, subject (the unnamed messenger/fugitive)→ participant referenceτις: indefinite 'a certain one'; the Hebrew has הַפָּלִיט ('the fugitive / the escapee') — the LXX renders this by the participial phrase διασεσῳσμένος combined with τις.
διασεσῳσμένοςone who had escaped / a survivorPf Pass Ptc Nom Sg Masc · διασῴζωsubstantival participle (identifying the τις as a survivor/escapee)→ perfect: completed escape with enduring state of having survivedδιασῴζω: 'save through / survive'; the perfect passive participle = 'one who had been brought safely through' = 'a survivor'; renders Hebrew הַפָּלִיט; the perfect tense underscores that his escape is a prior completed fact.
ἀπήγγειλενreported / announcedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (the messenger's report to Abram)→ constative aoristἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / announce / bring news'; renders וַיַּגֵּד ('told / reported'); the report triggers the entire rescue mission.
ΑβραμAbramindeclinable proper noun, indirect object (the one reported to)→ participant identificationΑβραμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, indirect object (the one reported to).
τῷtheDativearticle (dative with περάτῃ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
περάτῃthe Crosser / the one who crossed overDativedative in apposition to Αβραμ (LXX's interpretive rendering of 'the Hebrew')→ sphere or referenceπεράτης: from περάω ('cross over / pass through'); the LXX renders Hebrew הָעִבְרִי ('the Hebrew') as τῷ περάτῃ — 'the one who crossed over.' This is an etymological translation: עִבְרִי derives from עָבַר ('to cross/pass over'). The LXX has chosen to interpret rather than transliterate, uniquely in the Pentateuch, rendering Abram's ethnic/geographic identity as 'the Crosser' — one who has crossed the Euphrates (cf. Josh 24:2–3 where Abram's crossing is explicit). This is a major LXX crux: a hermeneutical decision that makes Abram's identity interpretively loaded in Greek. The NT never uses this title.
αὐτὸςheNominativesubject (resumptive pronoun: Abram's location)→ participant referenceαὐτὸς: meaning 'he'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (resumptive pronoun: Abram's location).
δὲand / nowpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατῴκειwas dwellingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · κατοικέωmain verb (background imperfect: Abram's location)→ stative imperfect (ongoing dwelling)κατοικέω: 'dwell / inhabit'; the imperfect sets the scene — while the battle raged, Abram was at Mamre.
πρὸςby / nearpreposition + dative (locative: 'by the oak')→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'by the oak').
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δρυὶoakDativedative of location (by the oak of Mambre)→ sphere or referenceδρῦς: 'oak tree'; renders Hebrew אֵלֹן/אֵלֹנֵי; the oaks of Mamre are a recurring landmark in the Abram narrative (cf. 13:18; 18:1).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΜαμβρηMambreindeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession (the oak of Mambre)→ participant identificationΜαμβρη: LXX transliteration of מַמְרֵא (Mamre); an Amorite who owns the oaks near Hebron where Abram camps; he and his brothers Eschol and Aunan are Abram's allies. The place Mamre/Hebron remains associated with Abram throughout Genesis.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμορραίουAmoriteGenitivegenitive of apposition (Mambre identified as an Amorite)→ relational specificationΑμορραῖος: 'Amorite'; Mambre is a Canaanite Amorite and yet an ally of Abram — the alliance crosses ethnic lines.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitivegenitive of relationship (Mambre the brother of Eschol)→ relational specificationἀδελφοῦ: meaning 'brother'; it serves as genitive of relationship (Mambre the brother of Eschol).
ΕσχωλEscholindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΕσχωλ: LXX transliteration of אֶשְׁכֹּל ('cluster of grapes'); one of Abram's Amorite allies and name of the valley near Hebron famous for its grapes (Num 13:23–24). He reappears at v.24 as one deserving his share of the spoils.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationἀδελφοῦ: meaning 'brother'; it serves as genitive of relationship.
ΑυνανAunanindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΑυναν: LXX transliteration of עָנֵר (Aner); the third Amorite brother and Abram ally; he reappears at v.24.
οἳwhoNominativerelative pronoun, subject→ participant referenceοἳ: meaning 'who'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun, subject.
ἦσανwereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (background imperfect: the alliance status)→ stative imperfectεἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect ἦσαν with the perfect participle ἠτιμασμένοι forms a periphrastic pluperfect-like construction ('had been / were in a state of being dishonored'), stressing the men's continuing condition of shame.
συνωμόταιallies / confederatesNominativepredicate nominative (they were oath-allies of Abram)→ participant prominenceσυνωμότης: from συνόμνυμι ('swear together'); 'those who have sworn together / allies by oath / confederates'; renders Hebrew בַּעֲלֵי בְרִית אַבְרָם ('masters of the covenant of Abram' = Abram's covenant-allies). The συνωμόται emphasizes the oath-sworn nature of the alliance — these are bound by a formal covenant-oath, anticipating the formal covenant with Abram in Gen 15.
τοῦofGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβραμAbramindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΑβραμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship.
14

ἀκούσας δὲ Αβραμ ὅτι ᾐχμαλώτευται Λωτ ὁ ἀδελφιδοῦς αὐτοῦ, ἠρίθμησεν τοὺς ἰδίους οἰκογενεῖς αὐτοῦ, τριακοσίους δέκα καὶ ὀκτώ, καὶ κατεδίωξεν ὀπίσω αὐτῶν ἕως Δαν.

And when Abram heard that Lot his kinsman had been taken captive, he numbered his own home-born servants — three hundred and eighteen — and pursued after them as far as Dan.

Narrative turning point (Abram's response to the news)ἀκούσας δὲ Αβραμ
The narrative pivot: Abram hears, musters, and pursues. The 318 home-born servants (ἰδίους οἰκογενεῖς) are a household-born fighting force — a detail that attracted enormous patristic attention: Barnabas 9:7–8 reads 318 (ΤΙΗ) as a christological cipher for the cross (Τ = 300) and the first two letters of Iesous (ΙΗ = 18). The place-name Δαν is a proleptic reference — the city was not named Dan until the tribal period (Judg 18:29).
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ἀκούσαςhaving heardAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἀκούωtemporal/causal participle (upon hearing = motivation for action)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; the aorist participle is temporal-causal — 'when/because Abram heard'; hearing the news triggers the immediate mustering response.
δὲand / nowpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑβραμAbramindeclinable proper noun, subject of the main verbs→ participant identificationΑβραμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject of the main verbs.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing indirect statement after ἀκούσας)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ᾐχμαλώτευταιhad been taken captivePf Pass Indic 3 Sg · αἰχμαλωτεύωverb of the ὅτι clause (Lot's captive status)→ perfect: Lot is currently in the condition of having been capturedαἰχμαλωτεύω: 'take captive / lead into captivity'; from αἰχμή ('spear-point'); the perfect passive ᾐχμαλώτευται = 'has been taken captive' — the state is present at the time of reporting.
ΛωτLotindeclinable proper noun, subject of ᾐχμαλώτευται→ participant identificationΛωτ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject of ᾐχμαλώτευται.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφιδοῦςkinsman / nephewNominativepredicate nominative / appositive (Lot identified as Abram's kinsman)→ participant prominenceἀδελφιδοῦς: 'nephew / kinsman'; renders Hebrew אָחִיו ('his brother') — the LXX uses ἀδελφιδοῦς ('nephew') to reflect the actual generational relationship; the Hebrew אָח can mean 'relative' broadly.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ἠρίθμησενhe numbered / musteredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀριθμέωmain verb (the mustering of the fighting force)→ constative aoristἀριθμέω: 'number / count / muster'; the LXX renders וַיָּרֶק ('armed / led out') as 'numbered,' creating the formal enumeration of 318 that became the foundation for patristic numerological exegesis (Barnabas 9:7–8: ΤΙΗ = cross + Iesous).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἰδίουςown / personalAccusativeattributive adjective (his own home-born servants)→ object specificationἴδιος: 'one's own / personal'; emphasises that these are Abram's own trained people, not mercenaries.
οἰκογενεῖςhome-born servantsAccusativedirect object (the mustered force: house-born trained servants)→ object specificationοἰκογενής: from οἶκος + γίνομαι; 'born in the house / house-born slave'; renders Hebrew יְלִידֵי בֵיתוֹ ('those born of his house'); these are the elite household servants born into Abram's service.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τριακοσίουςthree hundredAccusativeaccusative (the number, in apposition to οἰκογενεῖς)→ object specificationτριακόσιοι: 'three hundred'; the number 318 (τριακόσιοι δέκα καὶ ὀκτώ) attracted massive patristic attention: Barnabas 9:7–8 calculated ΙΗ = 18 = Ἰησοῦς + Τ = 300 = cross; Origen, Clement, and Ambrose all commented on the symbolism.
δέκαtenAccusativenumeral (part of 318)→ measure or countδέκα: meaning 'ten'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
καὶandnumeral conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀκτώeightAccusativenumeral (completing 318)→ measure or countὀκτώ: meaning 'eight'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατεδίωξενpursued / chasedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταδιώκωmain verb (the pursuit)→ constative aoristκαταδιώκω: 'pursue intensely'; the κατα- prefix intensifies — a determined military chase; renders וַיִּרְדֹּף.
ὀπίσωafter / behindadverb of direction→ clausal contributionὀπίσω: meaning 'after'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive after ὀπίσω→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive after ὀπίσω.
ἕωςas far aspreposition + genitive (extent)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: meaning 'as far as'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (extent).
ΔανDanindeclinable proper noun, genitive of extent (the northern limit)→ participant identificationΔαν: northernmost city of Israel; the Hebrew text likewise has 'Dan' — a proleptic or updating reference, since the city was not renamed Dan until the tribe of Dan settled there (Judg 18:29; originally Laish). The phrase 'from Dan to Beersheba' (1 Sam 3:20) makes Dan the canonical northern border.
15

καὶ ἐπέπεσεν ἐπ᾿ αὐτοὺς τὴν νύκτα αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπάταξεν αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐδίωξεν αὐτοὺς ἕως Χωβα, ἥ ἐστιν ἐν ἀριστερᾷ Δαμασκοῦ.

And he fell upon them at night, he and his servants, and struck them and pursued them as far as Choba, which is to the left of Damascus.

Narrative climax (the night attack and rout)καὶ ἐπέπεσεν
The night attack (τὴν νύκτα) achieves surprise against a superior force. The use of ἐπιπίπτω ('fell upon') echoes both military strategy and divine-warrior imagery. The explanatory gloss (ἥ ἐστιν ἐν ἀριστερᾷ Δαμασκοῦ) identifies Choba for readers — 'left' = north in ancient Levantine orientation (facing east).
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέπεσενfell upon / attackedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιπίπτωmain verb (the surprise attack)→ ingressive aorist (onset of the attack)ἐπιπίπτω: 'fall upon / attack suddenly'; renders Hebrew וַיֵּחָלֵק עֲלֵיהֶם ('divided against them'); conveys sudden, violent assault. The Spirit of the LORD ἐπέπεσεν on Saul in 1 Sam 11:6 LXX with the same sudden-onset force.
ἐπ᾿upon / againstpreposition + accusative (hostile)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (accusative of time)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νύκταnightAccusativeaccusative of time (at night)→ object specificationνύξ: 'night'; a night attack exploits surprise and fear; Abram's military intelligence and courage are highlighted.
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativeemphatic subject pronoun (Abram personally led)→ participant referenceαὐτὸς: meaning 'he himself'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as emphatic subject pronoun (Abram personally led).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδεςservants / young menNominativesubject (compound: Abram and his servants)→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant / young man'; renders Hebrew נְעָרָיו ('his young men'); the 318 οἰκογενεῖς of v.14.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάταξενstruck / smoteAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (military victory: the decisive blow)→ constative aoristπατάσσω: 'strike / smite'; the standard LXX military verb for a decisive blow; renders וַיַּכֵּם; used for the LORD's defeating blows throughout the conquest narratives.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐδίωξενpursuedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διώκωmain verb (continued pursuit)→ constative aoristδιώκω: 'pursue / chase'; after the initial attack Abram presses the advantage northward.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ἕωςas far aspreposition + genitive (extent of pursuit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: meaning 'as far as'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (extent of pursuit).
ΧωβαChobaindeclinable proper noun, genitive of extent→ participant identificationΧωβα: LXX transliteration of חוֹבָה (Hobah); north of Damascus.
ἥwhichNominativerelative pronoun (explanatory clause)→ participant referenceἥ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (explanatory clause).
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopulative verb→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.
ἐνto / inpreposition + dative (locative: 'on the left side')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'on the left side').
ἀριστερᾷleftDativedative of location (on the left = to the north)→ sphere or referenceἀριστερά: 'left side'; in ancient Semitic orientation (facing east), left = north; 'to the left of Damascus' = north of Damascus.
Δαμασκοῦof DamascusGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location→ participant identificationΔαμασκός: LXX transliteration of דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Damascus); the great Syrian city that serves as the geographic reference point; also the city of Abram's servant Eliezer (Gen 15:2).
16

καὶ ἀπέστρεψεν πᾶσαν τὴν ἵππον Σοδομων, καὶ τὸν Λωτ τὸν ἀδελφιδοῦν αὐτοῦ ἀπέστρεψεν καὶ τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰς γυναῖκας καὶ τὸν λαόν.

And he recovered all the property of Sodom, and he recovered Lot his kinsman and his possessions and the women and the people.

Resolution (the successful rescue)καὶ ἀπέστρεψεν
The rescue is narrated with fourfold repetition of the verb ἀποστρέφω ('brought back / recovered'): goods, Lot, possessions, women and people. The verbal repetition creates a rhythmic catalogue of total recovery that directly inverts the catalogue of total seizure in vv.11–12. Lot is named individually (τὸν Λωτ τὸν ἀδελφιδοῦν — the article-title construction) before the impersonal goods, marking his personal redemption as the goal.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστρεψενhe recovered / brought backAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστρέφωmain verb (total recovery: goods)→ constative aoristἀποστρέφω: 'turn back / restore / recover'; renders וַיָּשֶׁב ('he returned / restored'); the verb is used twice in this verse (goods, then Lot) and frames the complete reversal of the plundering of vv.11–12.
πᾶσανallAccusativequantifier adjective→ object specificationπᾶσαν: meaning 'all'; it serves as quantifier adjective.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἵππονpropertyAccusativedirect object (all the property of Sodom, cf. v.11 crux)→ object specificationἵππος: again used for 'property / movable goods' (cf. v.11 crux); 'all the property of Sodom' is the object of the first ἀπέστρεψεν.
Σοδομωνof SodomGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession→ participant identificationΣοδομων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΛωτLotindeclinable proper noun, direct object (the person rescued)→ participant identificationΛωτ: named individually and with the full title ὁ ἀδελφιδοῦς αὐτοῦ — Lot is the personal goal of the rescue, not merely among the recovered goods.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφιδοῦνkinsman / nephewAccusativeaccusative in apposition (Lot identified as Abram's kinsman)→ object specificationἀδελφιδοῦν: meaning 'kinsman'; it serves as accusative in apposition (Lot identified as Abram's kinsman).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ἀπέστρεψενhe recoveredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστρέφωmain verb (second occurrence: the rescue of Lot specifically)→ constative aoristἀποστρέφω: 'turn back / turn away'; renders שׁוּב; with ἀπὸ ὄπισθέν μου ('from following me') it depicts apostasy — Saul has ceased to follow YHWH; the verb returns at v. 29 (οὐκ ἀποστρέψει) of YHWH's own irreversibility.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑπάρχονταpossessions / belongingsPres Act Ptc Acc Pl Neut · ὑπάρχωsubstantival participle (Lot's possessions: 'the things belonging to him')→ progressive (ongoing possession)ὑπάρχω: 'begin / be present / belong'; τὰ ὑπάρχοντα = 'the things that belong (to him)' = 'his possessions'; a common LXX and NT expression for property (cf. Luke 12:15; Acts 4:32).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυναῖκαςwomenAccusativedirect object (the women recovered from captivity)→ object specificationγυνή: 'woman / wife'; the recovery of 'the women' as well as 'the people' (τὸν λαόν) indicates that the whole population of Sodom and Gomorrah's captives was freed, not only Lot.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόνpeopleAccusativedirect object (the people recovered from captivity)→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; renders Hebrew הָעָם; the full captive population of Sodom and the surrounding cities is restored. This comprehensive rescue establishes Abram as the de facto protector of Canaan's peoples — a role that will be complicated by the king of Sodom's offer in v.21.
17

ἐξῆλθεν δὲ βασιλεὺς Σοδομων εἰς συνάντησιν αὐτῷ μετὰ τὸ ἀναστρέψαι αὐτὸν ἀπὸ τῆς κοπῆς τοῦ Χοδολλογομορ καὶ τῶν βασιλέων τῶν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν φάραγγα τὴν Σαβη· τοῦτο ἦν τὸ πεδίον βασιλέως.

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him, after his return from the slaughter of Chodollogomor and the kings who were with him, to the valley of Sabe — this was the king's valley.

Scene transition (the king of Sodom meets the returning victor)ἐξῆλθεν δὲ βασιλεὺς Σοδομων
The king of Sodom's meeting is interrupted by the Melchizedek episode before it resumes with the offer in v.21. The narrative uses a temporal frame (μετὰ τὸ ἀναστρέψαι — 'after his returning') and a geographic frame (the Valley of Sabe = the King's Valley, identified by another gloss). The scene's interruption by Melchizedek is theologically deliberate: the priestly blessing precedes and frames the political negotiation.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (the king of Sodom's going out to meet Abram)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / come out'; renders וַיֵּצֵא; the king of Sodom goes out in his royal capacity to meet the conqueror — technically as a subject meeting his rescuer.
δὲand / nowpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject.
Σοδομωνof SodomGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location→ participant identificationΣοδομων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of location.
εἰςto / forpreposition + accusative (purpose/goal: 'to meet him')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose/goal: 'to meet him').
συνάντησινmeeting / encounterAccusativeaccusative of purpose (for a meeting)→ object specificationσυνάντησις: 'meeting / encounter'; renders Hebrew לִקְרָאתוֹ ('to meet him'); the εἰς συνάντησιν construction is a Hebraism calquing לִקְרַאת, common in LXX military and royal encounter contexts (cf. 1 Sam 4:1; Matt 25:1 for the virgins going εἰς ἀπάντησιν).
αὐτῷhimDativedative of the person met (Abram)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of the person met (Abram).
μετὰafterpreposition + articular infinitive (temporal: 'after the returning')→ spatial or relational framingμετά + accusative articular infinitive: temporal construction 'after his returning' — renders Hebrew אַחֲרֵי; cf. the similar construction in Luke 22:20 μετὰ τὸ δειπνῆσαι.
τὸtheAccusativearticle with infinitive→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀναστρέψαιto returnAor Act Inf · ἀναστρέφωarticular infinitive (temporal complement of μετά: 'after returning')→ constative aorist infinitiveἀναστρέφω: 'return / turn back'; the articular infinitive μετὰ τὸ ἀναστρέψαι calques a Hebrew temporal construction and locates the meeting after the battle victory.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive (Abram as the one returning)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative subject of infinitive (Abram as the one returning).
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (from the slaughter)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (from the slaughter).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κοπῆςslaughter / cutting downGenitivegenitive of separation (from the slaughter)→ relational specificationκοπή: 'slaughter / cutting'; renders Hebrew מַכָּה ('blow / slaughter'); the noun κοπή is relatively rare; it ties back to the verb κατακόπτω used throughout vv.5–7.
τοῦofGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧοδολλογομορChodollogomorindeclinable proper noun, genitive (the slaughter of Chodollogomor = defeat of his coalition)→ participant identificationΧοδολλογομορ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive (the slaughter of Chodollogomor = defeat of his coalition).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωνkingsGenitivegenitive (the kings allied with Chodollogomor)→ relational specificationβασιλέων: meaning 'kings'; it serves as genitive (the kings allied with Chodollogomor).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (association)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (association).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive of association→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of association.
εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (goal: the meeting place)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal: the meeting place).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φάραγγαvalleyAccusativedirect object / locative (the valley of Sabe)→ object specificationφάραγγα: meaning 'valley'; it serves as direct object / locative (the valley of Sabe).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (attributive with Σαβη)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαβηSabeindeclinable proper noun, identifying the valley→ participant identificationΣαβη: the Valley of Sabe = the King's Valley (עֵמֶק שָׁוֵה); later associated with Absalom's monument (2 Sam 18:18: he erected a pillar 'in the King's Valley').
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (parenthetical identification)→ participant referenceτοῦτο: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative pronoun (parenthetical identification).
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopulative verb (parenthetical identification)→ stative imperfectεἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πεδίονplain / valleyNominativepredicate nominative (identification: King's Valley)→ participant prominenceπεδίον: 'plain / flat land / valley'; renders Hebrew עֵמֶק ('valley'); the LXX uses πεδίον here in contrast to the earlier φάραγξ ('ravine'), perhaps rendering a different Hebrew term or varying the translation for stylistic reasons.
βασιλέωςof a king / of the kingGenitivegenitive of possession (the King's Valley = the royal meeting place)→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; the King's Valley (עֵמֶק הַמֶּלֶךְ) was a specific named geographic site in the Kidron Valley region east of Jerusalem; Absalom erected his monument there (2 Sam 18:18).
18

καὶ Μελχισεδεκ βασιλεὺς Σαλημ ἐξήνεγκεν ἄρτους καὶ οἶνον· ἦν δὲ ἱερεὺς τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ὑψίστου.

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; and he was a priest of God Most High.

Theological climax (the Melchizedek episode)καὶ Μελχισεδεκ
The crown of the chapter: Melchizedek appears without genealogy or introduction, as high priest and king simultaneously — a combination unprecedented in the Abram narrative and in the Mosaic order, which would separate the roles. The LXX renders exactly: βασιλεὺς Σαλήμ, ἱερεὺς τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ὑψίστου. The bread and wine (ἄρτους καὶ οἶνον) is the priestly provision; it will be read eucharistically from Cyprian onward. The whole episode (vv.18–20) is the exegetical foundation of Hebrews 5–7.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΜελχισεδεκMelchizedekindeclinable proper noun, subject (the priest-king of Salem)→ participant identificationΜελχισεδεκ: LXX transliteration of מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק ('my king is righteousness / king of righteousness'); the name is interpreted typologically in Heb 7:2 (βασιλεὺς δικαιοσύνης). He appears without genealogy, without birth or death notice — a narrative uniqueness that Hebrews exploits: 'without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life' (Heb 7:3). He is one of the most theologically freighted figures in the whole OT: Ps 109:4 LXX designates the Messiah 'priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek,' and Hebrews 5–7 constructs an entire argument for the superiority of Christ's priesthood on this basis.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativepredicate nominative / appositive (king of Salem)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; Melchizedek combines the roles of king and priest — unique in the patriarchal narrative; Heb 7:1 quotes this verse directly.
ΣαλημSalemindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location (king of Salem)→ participant identificationΣαλημ: LXX transliteration of שָׁלֵם (Salem); from שָׁלוֹם ('peace'); universally understood from antiquity as Jerusalem: Josephus (Ant. 1.180) identifies it explicitly; Ps 75:3 LXX calls Jerusalem Σαλήμ; Heb 7:2 reads it as βασιλεὺς εἰρήνης ('king of peace'). The connection to Ἱεροσόλυμα makes this a proto-Jerusalem priesthood antedating the Davidic/Levitical establishment.
ἐξήνεγκενbrought outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκφέρωmain verb (the priestly provision of bread and wine)→ constative aoristἐκφέρω: 'bring out / carry out'; renders Hebrew וַיּוֹצֵא ('brought out'); the verb implies a formal presentation — Melchizedek brings out the provisions as a deliberate priestly act, not merely hospitality.
ἄρτουςbread / loavesAccusativedirect object (the bread presented)→ object specificationἄρτος: 'bread / loaf'; renders Hebrew לֶחֶם; the bread and wine (ἄρτους καὶ οἶνον) together constitute the priestly offering. From Cyprian of Carthage onward, this verse was read as a type of the Eucharist (Ep. 63.4): the bread and wine offered by the priest-king Melchizedek prefigure Christ's institution of the supper. The ἄρτους καὶ οἶνον pair is unique here in the OT sacrificial/priestly context.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (pairing the elements)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἶνονwineAccusativedirect object (the wine presented)→ object specificationοἶνος: 'wine'; renders Hebrew יַיִן; the bread-and-wine pair (ἄρτους καὶ οἶνον) is the central iconic pair of this verse — unique in OT priestly contexts and the basis of the eucharistic typology from Justin Martyr and Cyprian onward.
ἦνhe wasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (explanatory imperfect identifying Melchizedek's priestly status)→ stative imperfect (ongoing, permanent status)εἰμί: the imperfect ἦν gives the narrator's identification of Melchizedek's status — not merely a title but his permanent ontological condition; he was (and is, in the logic of Heb 7:3) a priest.
δὲand / nowpostpositive continuative particle (adding the priestly identification)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἱερεὺςpriestNominativepredicate nominative (Melchizedek's priestly office)→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; Melchizedek is simultaneously βασιλεύς ('king') and ἱερεύς ('priest') — the two offices combined in one person. This combination will be the formal argument of Heb 7: since the Levitical priesthood separates king and priest, a priest-king 'according to the order of Melchizedek' (Ps 109:4 LXX) represents a higher, non-Levitical order.
τοῦofGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship (priest of God)→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; with the genitive τοῦ ὑψίστου gives the full divine title θεὸς ὕψιστος (El Elyon). This is the first occurrence of ὕψιστος as a divine title in the LXX, and it is taken up by Abram himself in v.22 when he identifies κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ ὕψιστος as his own God — the theological identification of Melchizedek's God with the covenant God of Abram.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑψίστουMost HighGenitivegenitive of description / superlative title (God Most High)→ relational specificationὕψιστος: superlative of ὑψηλός ('high'); 'highest / most exalted'; renders Hebrew עֶלְיוֹן (Elyon); the divine title θεὸς ὕψιστος / ὕψιστος becomes a key term in the LXX and NT: Luke 1:32, 35, 76; 6:35; Acts 7:48; 16:17. Its first OT appearance here in Gen 14:18 gives it a Melchizedekian pedigree that Hebrews exploits. The title affirms the universal sovereignty of the God Melchizedek serves — applicable to all nations, not only Israel.
19

καὶ ηὐλόγησεν τὸν Αβραμ καὶ εἶπεν· Εὐλογημένος Αβραμ τῷ θεῷ τῷ ὑψίστῳ, ὃς ἔκτισεν τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν.

And he blessed Abram and said: 'Blessed be Abram by God Most High, who created heaven and earth.'

Priestly act (the first of Melchizedek's two blessings)καὶ ηὐλόγησεν
The first of the two-part blessing: Abram is blessed by God Most High, identified as creator of heaven and earth. The participial relative ὃς ἔκτισεν marks the first use of κτίζω in the LXX as a description of God as creator. Heb 7:1 quotes the blessing: 'who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him.' The blessing of the lesser by the greater is the argument of Heb 7:7: 'without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.'
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ηὐλόγησενhe blessedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εὐλογέωmain verb (the priestly blessing of Abram)→ constative aoristεὐλογέω: 'bless / speak well of'; renders Hebrew וַיְבָרֶךְ; the priestly act of blessing — invoking divine favour — is here performed by a non-Israelite, non-Levitical priest, which is the foundation for Heb 7:7's argument: the lesser (Abram, ancestor of Levi) is blessed by the greater (Melchizedek), proving Melchizedek's priesthood superior.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβραμAbramindeclinable proper noun, direct object (the recipient of the blessing)→ participant identificationΑβραμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, direct object (the recipient of the blessing).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (introducing the speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΕὐλογημένοςblessedPf Pass Ptc Nom Sg Masc · εὐλογέωpredicate participle (verbless clause: 'Blessed be Abram')→ perfect passive: the blessedness is an enduring stateεὐλογέω: the perfect passive participle Εὐλογημένος is a Hebraism calquing Hebrew בָּרוּךְ (the passive participle construct); the LXX regularly renders בָּרוּךְ as Εὐλογημένος (e.g., Ruth 2:20; 1 Sam 15:13). The form is a divine passive — it is God who bestows the blessing. Heb 7:1 cites the blessing directly.
ΑβραμAbramindeclinable proper noun, subject of the verbless blessing clause→ participant identificationΑβραμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject of the verbless blessing clause.
τῷbyDativearticle (dative with θεῷ: dative of agent)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεῷGodDativedative of agent (blessed by God Most High)→ sphere or referenceθεός + ὑψίστῳ: the divine title θεὸς ὕψιστος repeated from v.18; here as dative of agency with the passive Εὐλογημένος.
τῷtheDativearticle (with ὑψίστῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑψίστῳMost HighDativedative adjective (superlative title in apposition to θεῷ)→ sphere or referenceὕψιστος: 'Most High'; repeated from v.18; the second occurrence in the chapter.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun, subject (referring to God Most High)→ participant referenceὃς: meaning 'who'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun, subject (referring to God Most High).
ἔκτισενcreatedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κτίζωrelative clause verb (God as creator of heaven and earth)→ constative aorist (the single completed act of creation)κτίζω: 'create / found'; renders Hebrew קֹנֵה ('possessor / maker'); the LXX interprets קָנָה here as 'create' (κτίζω) rather than 'possess/acquire' — a significant theological interpretation. The Hebrew קָנָה שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ could mean either 'creator of heaven and earth' or 'possessor/owner of heaven and earth'; the LXX chooses the creative sense, making this one of the earliest OT occurrences of κτίζω in a creation-theology context (cf. Isa 45:7 LXX; Rev 4:11).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανὸνheavenAccusativedirect object (heaven and earth: the merism for all creation)→ object specificationοὐρανός: 'heaven / sky'; the pair οὐρανὸν καὶ γῆν is a merism ('heaven and earth' = everything that exists), echoing the creation formula of Gen 1:1. Melchizedek's blessing thus explicitly identifies his deity as the creator of all things — the God of Israel.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (the merism pair)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνearthAccusativedirect object (completing the merism)→ object specificationγῆ: 'earth'; with οὐρανός the merism for totality; the creator-formula is the LXX's earliest creedal identification of the covenant God as the God of all creation, a formula that echoes in Exod 20:11 LXX and throughout the Psalms.
20

καὶ εὐλογητὸς ὁ θεὸς ὁ ὕψιστος, ὃς παρέδωκεν τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου εἰς τὰς χεῖράς σου. καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ δεκάτην ἀπὸ πάντων.

And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hands. And he gave him a tithe of all things.

Continuation (the second part of Melchizedek's blessing + the tithe)καὶ εὐλογητός
The second blessing turns from Abram to God himself — εὐλογητός is the ascriptive form, praising God directly (contrast Εὐλογημένος Αβραμ in v.19, blessing Abram). The tithe (δεκάτην ἀπὸ πάντων) is the linchpin of Heb 7:2, 4–10: Abram's giving a tenth to Melchizedek demonstrates Melchizedek's superiority, and since Levi was 'in the loins of Abraham' (Heb 7:10), the Levitical priesthood itself tithed to Melchizedek — proving the Melchizedekian order's priority.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὐλογητὸςblessed / worthy of blessingNominativepredicate adjective (verbless doxology: 'Blessed be God Most High')→ participant prominenceεὐλογητός: verbal adjective from εὐλογέω; 'worthy of praise / blessed'; used in doxological formulas where God is the object of blessing/praise — distinct from Εὐλογημένος (perfect passive participle, v.19) which is used for humans receiving God's blessing. The εὐλογητός-form for God is the standard LXX doxological ascription (cf. 2 Cor 1:3; Eph 1:3; 1 Pet 1:3 — the NT εὐλογητός ὁ θεός formula is derived from this LXX pattern).
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of the doxology→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject of the doxology.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ὕψιστος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕψιστοςMost HighNominativepredicate adjective / title (third occurrence in this pericope)→ participant prominenceὕψιστος: third occurrence in vv.18–20; the thrice-repeated title gives the Melchizedek pericope its theological unity: he is priest of the Most High God (v.18), blesses Abram by the Most High God (v.19), and the second blessing praises the Most High God (v.20) — a triple doxological frame.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun, subject (God who delivered)→ participant referenceὃς: meaning 'who'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun, subject (God who delivered).
παρέδωκενdelivered / handed overAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb (divine action: delivering enemies into Abram's hands)→ constative aorist (the completed act of deliverance)παραδίδωμι: 'deliver / hand over / give into (someone's) power'; renders Hebrew מִגֵּן ('delivered / shielded'); the LXX uses παραδίδωμι for the divine handing-over of enemies — a formula that becomes standard in the conquest narratives (Deut 7:2; Josh 6:2 LXX) and in the NT for the handing-over of Jesus (Rom 4:25; 8:32).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθρούςenemiesAccusativedirect object (the enemies delivered into Abram's power)→ object specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy / hostile one'; renders Hebrew צָרֶיךָ ('your adversaries'); the enemies are the four-king eastern coalition who held Lot captive.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (your enemies)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (your enemies).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal: into your hands)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal: into your hands).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖράςhandsAccusativeaccusative of goal (into your hands: idiomatic for 'into your power')→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; εἰς τὰς χεῖράς = 'into the hands' = into the power/authority; a Hebraism (בְּיָד) for the transferred power over enemies; used throughout LXX military contexts.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (your hands)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (your hands).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (introducing the tithe)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (Abram's tithe to Melchizedek)→ constative aorist (the single act of giving)δίδωμι: 'give'; renders Hebrew וַיִּתֶּן; the subject shifts here to Abram (he gave) — the grammar is slightly ambiguous (could Melchizedek give the tithe to Abram?) but the Hebrew and context are clear: Abram gave. Heb 7:2 quotes this act: 'Abram gave a tithe of all things'; Heb 7:9–10 argues that Levi, still in Abram's loins, thus tithed to Melchizedek — the clinching argument for Melchizedek's superiority over the Levitical priesthood.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object (to Melchizedek)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (to Melchizedek).
δεκάτηνa tenth / titheAccusativedirect object (the tithe given)→ object specificationδεκάτη: 'a tenth / tithe'; renders Hebrew מַעֲשֵׂר; the exact form δεκάτην ἀπὸ πάντων is cited at Heb 7:2. The tithe is the founding act of the Melchizedekian priesthood's superiority argument: a tenth of the spoils given to a priest antedating Aaron is the basis for Heb 7:4–10's logical demonstration that the Levitical priesthood is subordinate to the Melchizedekian.
ἀπὸfrom / ofpreposition + genitive (partitive: 'a tenth from / of all things')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό + genitive: partitive ('from all things' = 'of all things'); the exact LXX expression δεκάτην ἀπὸ πάντων is cited verbatim in Heb 7:2.
πάντωνall thingsGenitivegenitive (partitive: of all things — from the entire spoil)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the tithe ἀπὸ πάντων = from everything captured — a comprehensive tenth of the war spoils. Heb 7:4 emphasises the superlative: 'to him Abram gave a tenth of the choicest spoils' (ἀπ' ἄκρων).
21

εἶπεν δὲ βασιλεὺς Σοδομων πρὸς Αβραμ· Δός μοι τοὺς ἄνδρας, τὴν δὲ ἵππον λαβὲ σεαυτῷ.

And the king of Sodom said to Abram: 'Give me the men, and take the property for yourself.'

Narrative development (the king of Sodom's proposition)εἶπεν δὲ βασιλεὺς Σοδομων
The encounter interrupted by the Melchizedek pericope now resumes. The king of Sodom makes what might seem a generous offer — he wants only the people back, letting Abram keep the goods. But Abram's response (vv.22–23) reveals that he sees this as a potential claim over him: 'I will not take anything of yours, lest you say I made Abram rich.' The contrast with the just-concluded Melchizedek encounter is deliberate: priestly blessing vs. royal bargaining.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲand / nowpostpositive continuative particle (resuming the interrupted narrative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject.
Σοδομωνof SodomGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location→ participant identificationΣοδομων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of location.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech: 'said to Abram')→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech: 'said to Abram').
ΑβραμAbramindeclinable proper noun, object of πρός→ participant identificationΑβραμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, object of πρός.
ΔόςgiveAor Act Impv 2 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (imperative: the king's demand)→ constative aorist imperative (single commanded act)δίδωμι: 'give'; the aorist imperative Δός is a sharp command — 'give me the men'; the king of Sodom treats the recovered people as his own property to be returned, which implicitly makes Abram his subordinate benefactor.
μοιmeDativedative of indirect object (give to me)→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (give to me).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδραςmen / personsAccusativedirect object (the persons recovered)→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man / person'; renders Hebrew הַנֶּפֶשׁ ('the lives / the persons') — the LXX renders 'persons' as ἄνδρας ('men'), though the Hebrew is more inclusive; the term here means all the people recovered from captivity.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲand / butpostpositive adversative particle (contrast: the people vs. the goods)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἵππονpropertyAccusativedirect object (the goods: the king relinquishes claim to the property)→ object specificationἵππος: the third occurrence of ἵππος used for 'property/goods' (cf. vv.11, 16); the king offers to let Abram keep all material goods if he returns the persons — seemingly generous, but Abram will refuse even this.
λαβὲtakeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (imperative: permission to keep the goods)→ constative aorist imperativeλαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; the king permits Abram to keep the property — appearing to make a generous concession, but in Abram's eyes even this would create an obligation.
σεαυτῷfor yourselfDativedative of advantage (take for yourself)→ sphere or referenceσεαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun (dative); 'for yourself'; the offer of the goods to Abram personally is what Abram's oath in v.22 refuses — he will take nothing for himself so that no one can claim credit for his wealth.
22

εἶπεν δὲ Αβραμ πρὸς βασιλέα Σοδομων· Ἀρῶ τὴν χεῖρά μου πρὸς κύριον τὸν θεὸν τὸν ὕψιστον, ὃς ἔκτισεν τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν,

And Abram said to the king of Sodom: 'I raise my hand to the LORD God Most High, who created heaven and earth,

Oath (Abram's solemn refusal by raised-hand oath)εἶπεν δὲ Αβραμ
Abram's oath is introduced by the raised-hand formula ἀρῶ τὴν χεῖρά μου πρός — the first oath-with-raised-hand in the LXX, a gesture that recurs throughout the patriarchal narratives and the legal corpora (cf. Exod 6:8; Num 14:30; Deut 32:40; Ezek 20:5–6). Critically, Abram adopts Melchizedek's divine title — θεὸς ὕψιστος — but adds κύριος, identifying El Elyon with the covenant LORD.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲand / butpostpositive continuative/adversative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑβραμAbramindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΑβραμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
βασιλέαkingAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationβασιλέα: meaning 'king'; it serves as object of πρός.
Σοδομωνof SodomGenitiveindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location→ participant identificationΣοδομων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of location.
ἈρῶI raise / liftFut Act Indic 1 Sg · αἴρωmain verb (the oath formula: 'I raise my hand to the LORD')→ futuristic present / solemn declaration (the raising is the oath-act itself)αἴρω: 'raise / lift'; renders Hebrew הֲרִמֹתִי ('I have raised'); the phrase ἀρῶ τὴν χεῖρά μου πρός = 'I raise my hand toward' is the standard LXX oath gesture (cf. Exod 6:8; Num 14:30; Deut 32:40; Dan 12:7). The raising of the hand toward God is the solemn gesture of oath-taking — a legal-covenantal act witnessed by God. This is the first occurrence of the gesture in the LXX and establishes the pattern.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖράhandAccusativedirect object (the hand raised in oath)→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; ἀρῶ τὴν χεῖρά μου = 'I raise my hand' = the solemn oath gesture; in ancient legal practice, raising the hand toward heaven (= toward God) was the formal oath-swearing posture (cf. Deut 32:40: 'I lift up my hand to heaven and swear').
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (my hand)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (my hand).
πρὸςto / towardpreposition + accusative (direction of oath: toward the LORD)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of oath: toward the LORD).
κύριονLordAccusativeobject of πρός (the God to whom the oath is sworn)→ object specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יְהוָה; Abram's addition of κύριος to Melchizedek's θεὸς ὕψιστος is theologically crucial: it identifies the covenant God of Israel with the universal God whom Melchizedek serves. The combined title κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ ὕψιστος does not appear in the Hebrew of v.22 (where MT has only El Elyon); the LXX adds κύριος, making the identification explicit.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸνGodAccusativeobject (in apposition to κύριον: LORD God Most High)→ object specificationθεός: forming the triple title κύριον τὸν θεὸν τὸν ὕψιστον — the full coalescence of the covenant name with the universal creator-title of Melchizedek's blessing.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ὕψιστον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕψιστονMost HighAccusativeaccusative title in apposition (LORD God Most High)→ object specificationὕψιστος: fourth occurrence in the chapter's Melchizedek pericope; Abram adopts Melchizedek's divine title, merging it with his covenant God, κύριος. This theological identification — YHWH = El Elyon — is the chapter's climactic confession.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun, subject (God as creator, echoing v.19)→ participant referenceὃς: meaning 'who'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun, subject (God as creator, echoing v.19).
ἔκτισενcreatedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κτίζωverb of the relative clause (echoing v.19's blessing formula)→ constative aoristκτίζω: repeated from v.19; the creator-description ὃς ἔκτισεν τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν is quoted verbatim from Melchizedek's blessing, confirming that Abram is swearing by the same God Melchizedek named.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανὸνheavenAccusativedirect object (heaven and earth: the merism, echoing v.19)→ object specificationοὐρανὸν: meaning 'heaven'; it serves as direct object (heaven and earth: the merism, echoing v.19).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνearthAccusativedirect object (completing the merism)→ object specificationγῆν: meaning 'earth'; it serves as direct object (completing the merism).
23

εἰ ἀπὸ σπαρτίου ἕως σφαιρωτῆρος ὑποδήματος λήμψομαι ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν σῶν, ἵνα μὴ εἴπῃς ὅτι Ἐγὼ ἐπλούτισα τὸν Αβραμ·

'that I will not take from a thread to a sandal-strap — from all that is yours — lest you say, It is I who made Abram rich.'

Oath content (the negative oath pledging total renunciation)εἰ … λήμψομαι
The content of the oath: a swearing with a negative conditional (εἰ … = 'if … then [God punish me]' — the divine sanction is implied, not stated — a common ancient Near Eastern oath form). The merism 'from a thread to a sandal-strap' (ἀπὸ σπαρτίου ἕως σφαιρωτῆρος ὑποδήματος) covers the range from the most trivial to the most ordinary item, meaning 'absolutely nothing.' The motive clause ἵνα μὴ εἴπῃς ὅτι Ἐγὼ ἐπλούτισα = 'lest you say "I made Abram rich"' is the key: Abram protects the divine source of his blessing (cf. Gen 15:1; Heb 11:8–10).
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
εἰif / that notconditional particle (oath negative: 'if I take … [may God punish me]')→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: in oaths, εἰ + future indicative functions as a strong negative: 'if I [do this]' = 'I swear I will not'; the apodosis (the curse) is left unstated — an aposiopesis conventional in solemn oaths. This is the form used in LXX divine oaths (Ps 94:11; Heb 3:11 quotes this form from the LXX).
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (extent: from a thread)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (extent: from a thread).
σπαρτίουthread / cordGenitivegenitive of extent (from a thread — the trivial end of the merism)→ relational specificationσπαρτίον: 'cord / thread / strand'; renders Hebrew חוּט ('thread / cord'); the most trivial possible item — Abram will not take so much as a thread. The Hebrew חוּט is occasionally translated as 'flax thread' suggesting the most minimal fabric element.
ἕωςto / as far aspreposition + genitive (extent: to a sandal-strap)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (extent: to a sandal-strap).
σφαιρωτῆροςsandal-strap / thongGenitivegenitive of extent (the ordinary end of the merism)→ relational specificationσφαιρωτήρ: 'knot / fastener / sandal-strap'; renders Hebrew שְׂרוֹךְ נַעַל ('sandal-thong'); the merism ἀπὸ σπαρτίου ἕως σφαιρωτῆρος ὑποδήματος = 'from a thread to a sandal-strap' = absolutely nothing. The sandal-strap (σφαιρωτήρ / שְׂרוֹךְ) is a significant motif: John the Baptist declares himself unworthy to loosen the sandal-strap of the coming one (John 1:27; Mark 1:7), possibly echoing this very verse's imagery of the sandal-strap as the most ordinary, minimal object.
ὑποδήματοςsandal / shoeGenitivegenitive of specification (strap of a sandal)→ relational specificationὑπόδημα: 'sandal / shoe'; renders Hebrew נַעַל; the compound σφαιρωτῆρος ὑποδήματος = 'a sandal's strap'; the sandal is the ordinary item completing the extreme-to-ordinary merism.
λήμψομαιI will takeFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (the content of the oath: 'I will not take')→ futuristic indicative (the oath pledge)λαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; the future λήμψομαι within the εἰ-oath formula functions as a strong negative declaration: 'I will [certainly] not take'; the future tense in an oath context has the force of a solemn future pledge.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (from all that is yours)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (from all that is yours).
πάντωνall thingsGenitivegenitive (from all your possessions)→ relational specificationπάντων: meaning 'all things'; it serves as genitive (from all your possessions).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σῶνyoursGenitivegenitive of possession (your things)→ relational specificationσός: possessive pronoun 'yours'; ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν σῶν = 'from all of your possessions' — a comprehensive formula covering everything belonging to Sodom.
ἵναso that / lestpurpose/negative purpose conjunction (with μή: 'lest')→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα μή: 'lest / so that not'; introduces the motive clause giving the reason for Abram's oath-refusal.
μὴnotnegative particle (with ἵνα)→ discourse linkage or contrastμὴ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἴπῃςyou sayAor Act Subj 2 Sg · λέγωverb of the purpose clause (lest you say)→ aorist subjunctive (after ἵνα μή)λέγω: the aorist subjunctive εἴπῃς after ἵνα μή = 'lest you say'; the second-person address directly confronts the king of Sodom.
ὅτιthat / ' 'conjunction introducing direct speech (recitative ὅτι)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἘγὼINominativesubject (emphatic: 'It is I who made Abram rich')→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic first-person pronoun; the emphasis 'it is I who' captures the pride of the king of Sodom's potential boast; Abram will not be beholden to Sodom for his wealth.
ἐπλούτισαI made rich / I enrichedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · πλουτίζωmain verb of the indirect speech (the feared boast)→ constative aorist (completed act of enriching)πλουτίζω: 'make rich / enrich'; renders Hebrew הֶעֱשַׁרְתִּי ('I made rich'); Abram refuses to let Sodom's king take credit for his wealth, knowing that his wealth will come from God alone (cf. Gen 15:1: 'your reward shall be very great'). The theological point: God, not any human benefactor, is the source of the patriarch's prosperity.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβραμAbramindeclinable proper noun, direct object (the one supposedly enriched)→ participant identificationΑβραμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, direct object (the one supposedly enriched).
24

πλὴν ὧν ἔφαγον οἱ νεανίσκοι, καὶ τῆς μερίδος τῶν ἀνδρῶν τῶν συμπορευθέντων μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ, Εσχωλ, Αυναν, Μαμβρη· αὐτοὶ λήμψονται μερίδα.

except for what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me — Eschol, Aunan, Mambre — they shall take their share.

Qualification (the sole exception to Abram's oath-refusal)πλὴν
The closing verse is Abram's single exception to his total renunciation: what the young men ate is already consumed and cannot be returned, and his three Amorite allies — named here in climactic reverse order to v.13 (Mambre, Eschol, Aunan in v.13; Eschol, Aunan, Mambre here) — deserve their portion. Abram's integrity is absolute for his own share; the allies' rights are scrupulously honoured. The verse closes the chapter's frame: the three allies introduced in v.13 receive their final mention here.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
πλὴνexcept / onlyadversative particle (exception to the oath: 'except for')→ discourse linkage or contrastπλήν: 'except / only / but'; renders Hebrew בִּלְעֲדַי ('except / apart from me'); introduces the sole qualification to the absolute refusal — the consumed rations and the allies' portions are outside the scope of the oath. πλήν as an exceptive conjunction is common in LXX narrative.
ὧνwhat / that whichGenitivegenitive (partitive relative: 'except for what the young men ate')→ relational specificationὧν: meaning 'what'; it serves as genitive (partitive relative: 'except for what the young men ate').
ἔφαγονate / consumedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb of the relative clause→ constative aorist (the meal is already over — it cannot be returned)ἐσθίω: 'eat'; the aorist ἔφαγον = 'ate / have eaten'; what the young men ate during the campaign is already consumed — Abram cannot return it and does not count it as his own gain.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with νεανίσκοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νεανίσκοιyoung men / soldiersNominativesubject (the 318 household warriors of v.14)→ participant prominenceνεανίσκος: 'young man / youth'; renders Hebrew הַנְּעָרִים (the same word as παῖδες in v.15); the rations consumed by the 318 fighters during the campaign are a legitimate military expense, not a personal enrichment of Abram.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adding the second exception)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μερίδοςshare / portionGenitivegenitive (the share of the allied men, governed by πλήν)→ relational specificationμερίς: 'share / portion / inheritance'; renders Hebrew חֵלֶק ('portion / share'); the military share of the allied commanders — Eschol, Aunan, Mambre — is their legitimate entitlement for participating in the rescue. Their portion falls outside Abram's personal oath.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνδρῶνmenGenitivegenitive of possession (the men's share)→ relational specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the allied commanders distinguished from the νεανίσκοι (common soldiers); their individual names follow.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with participle: 'those who went with me')→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συμπορευθέντωνwho went with / who accompaniedAor Pass Ptc Gen Pl Masc · συμπορεύομαιattributive participle (identifying the men as those who accompanied Abram)→ constative aorist (their accompanying is the qualifying action)συμπορεύομαι: 'go together with / accompany'; renders Hebrew הַהֹלְכִים אִתִּי ('those who went with me'); the aorist passive participle here is deponent in force ('who went along with me').
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (association: with me)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (association: with me).
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive of association (with me = with Abram)→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as genitive of association (with me = with Abram).
ΕσχωλEscholindeclinable proper noun (first ally named, in apposition to τῶν ἀνδρῶν)→ participant identificationΕσχωλ: the same Amorite ally introduced at v.13 (Eschol); here named first, in a different order from v.13 (Mambre, Eschol, Aunan there; Eschol, Aunan, Mambre here). The reversal may be chiastic or simply reflect a different tradition. He will give his name to the valley of the grape-cluster (Num 13:23–24).
ΑυνανAunanindeclinable proper noun (second ally named)→ participant identificationΑυναν: the Amorite ally Aner (cf. v.13); mentioned only in Gen 14 in the entire OT.
ΜαμβρηMambreindeclinable proper noun (third ally named; the most prominent: owner of Abram's camp-site)→ participant identificationΜαμβρη: Mamre, by whose oaks Abram camped (v.13; Gen 13:18; 18:1); his name anchors the whole chapter geographically and relational. The closing mention of Mambre frames the chapter from v.13 to v.24 with Abram's Amorite community as the human context of his covenantal faithfulness.
αὐτοὶtheyNominativeemphatic subject pronoun (the three allies: they shall take their share)→ participant referenceαὐτοί: emphatic 'they' — as distinct from Abram who takes nothing for himself, they shall receive their portion. The emphasis marks the contrast: Abram's total renunciation / the allies' legitimate entitlement.
λήμψονταιshall take / will receiveFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (the allies' right to their portion affirmed)→ futuristic indicative (Abram's guarantee of their share)λαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; future λήμψονται; the verb echoes v.21 (λαβέ, imperative) — the king of Sodom told Abram to 'take' the goods; Abram refuses for himself but ensures that his allies will 'take' their rightful share. The final word of the chapter is the guarantee of the allies' portion — a note of covenantal loyalty and martial honor that closes the narrative with integrity.
μερίδαshare / portionAccusativedirect object (the share the allies receive)→ object specificationμερίς: 'share / portion'; repeated from τῆς μερίδος above; the repetition is deliberate — closing the verse on the word 'portion' affirms that justice is done to each party: the young men ate their rations, the allies receive their share, Abram takes nothing.