B'resheet 14:10-12 Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of S'dom (Sodom) and 'Amora (Gomorrah) fled, and they fell into them. But those who survived fled to the hill country. Then they took all the goods of S'dom (Sodom) and 'Amora (Gomorrah) and all their food supply, and departed. And they also took Lot, Abram's nephew, and his possessions and departed, for he was living in Sodom.
The valley of Siddim was full of tar pits - The presence of Tar pits indicates the presence of Oil. This seems to be telling us that there is oil in the area of the Dead Sea.
We asked a friend, who is an expert in the Oil Industry, for incite on this subject. Here is his reply "Tar pits are the same as oil fields except the lighter gravity liquids are gone. The lighter fluids have evaporated into the air leaving the heavy gravity "tar" behind. As far as I know there is no oil in Israel, but I could be wrong. I know there are some natural gas fields offshore."
The fourteenth letter corresponding to this chapter is Nun- faithfulness; soul; downfall and rising again.
Abram has a downfall. His nephew and their goods get captured. He goes out to return them.
Like the Bible says, There is a time for war and a time for peace. (Eccl 3:8)
This is the first war recorded in the Bible.
B'resheet 14:13-16 Then a fugitive came and told Abram the Hebrew. Now he was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner, and these were allies with Abram. And when Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. And he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot with his possessions, and also the women, and the people.
The Hebrew - This is the first time this title is used in the Bible.
There are two thoughts on where the word "Hebrew" comes from. One is that Abram was a descendant of Eber and this is some form of that name. The other is that it comes from the fact that Abram crossed over the River to come to the Promised Land.
"Abram, the Hebrew" ha `Ibhri, from `abar, "to cross over."
Abram had quite a large household. He had a small army. He had trained 318 men to protect his family and possessions. If there were that many men of fighting age in his household, he must have had women, children servants in his household as well.
B'resheet 14:17-20 Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). And Malki-Tzedek (Melchizedek) king of Shalem (Salem (Peace)) brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of G-d Most High. And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram of G-d Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be G-d Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he gave him a tenth of all.
Salem is now Jerusalem.
The valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley) - This is the Kidron valley on the east side of Jerusalem.
Abram gave the King of Salem 1/10 of the goods. Abram knew who made him rich. Abram trusted in G-d for his provisions.
Malki-Tzedek - means "King of Righteousness" Melek is the Hebrew word for King. It is interesting that the he shows up in the 18th verse of the chapter. The number 18 in Hebrew is Tzaddi, which means "righteous". Only G-d could arrange the chapters and verses in such a way that the chapter and verse numbers are significant to the lesson. Isn't he awesome! :~)
Yeshua is our High Priest like unto Malki-Tzedek. It is interesting that he brings out bread and wine. Who is Malki-Tzedek? It does not say and his genealogy was hidden. It seems He fought with Abram against kings to restore his possessions. Who is Yeshua? This was also hidden. He will also fight to restore land back to the relatives of Abram.
Yeshua knows who honors Him and will make him ruler over all. Yeshua honored the Father, so the Father will honor Him.
Tehillim (Psalms) 110:4-7 The L-RD has sworn and will not change His mind, "Thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." The L-rd is at Thy right hand; He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath. He will judge among the nations, He will fill them with corpses; He will shatter the chief men over a broad country. He will drink from the brook by the wayside; Therefore He will lift up His head. (NAS)
Hebrews 7:1-17 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem (Peace), priest of the Most High G-d, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of G-d, he abides a priest perpetually. Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest's office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brothers, although these are descended from Abraham. But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham, and blessed the one who had the promises. But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. And in this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, of NECESSITY there takes place a change of law also. For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of Him, "Thou art a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek." NAS
For further understanding read our study on Hebrews especially Chapter Seven.
We pay homage to the Son and all will pay homage to Him in the future. He is also known as the Prince of Peace.
Yesha'yahu (Isaiah ) 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty G-d, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Tehillim 2:10-12 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the L-RD with reverence, and rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, lest He become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!
Philippians 2:8-11 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on an execution stake. Therefore also G-d highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Yeshua HaMashiach is L-rd, to the glory of G-d the Father.
Bread and wine - He brings out Bread and Wine. This is symbolic of Yeshua's death for our righteousness. The Bread symbolized Yeshua body that was nailed to the execution stake. The Wine represents His shed blood.
B'resheet 14:21-24 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself." And Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have sworn to the L-RD G-d Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, lest you should say,' I have made Abram rich.' "I will take nothing except what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their share." NAS
Abram did not want to be obligated to this wicked king. He only went into this battle to rescue Lot. Also he did not want the King of Sodom to say that he made Abram rich. Abram gave all the glory to G-d.