Genesis 14:17

Nuer Bible © Bible Society in South Sudan 1998,2012

Kä täämɛ mëë ci Ab-ram cu luny jɔk jucä Kɛ-dɔr-la-mɛr kɛnɛ kua̱r pëëkdɛ, cu kuäär Thɔ-dɔm jɛ lor lotdä Cawe min mɔ ta̱p paan kua̱r.

What Does This Mean?

After defeating Chedorlaomer and his allies, Abraham returned and met the king of Sodom in a place called the valley of Shaveh. This verse describes the meeting place and the outcome of the battle.

Explained for Children

Imagine you just won a big game of tag against some tough kids. Then, your friend, who saw you win, came to meet you where you usually play. That's what this verse is about, but with kings instead of kids.

Historical Background

The book of Genesis was written by Moses around 1446-1406 BCE. It was written for the Israelites to understand their heritage and God's involvement in human affairs. The cultural setting is the ancient Near East, where city-states and their kings often clashed over territory and resources.

Living It Out Today

Today, we might think about this verse when we face a difficult challenge and come out victorious. The king of Sodom meeting Abraham could represent how people often want to acknowledge or celebrate with us after a significant victory.

Topics

• war
• leadership
• victory
• ancient near east
• covenant
• conflict resolution

Related Verses

• Genesis 14:18-20
• Genesis 23:2-4
• Ezekiel 39:11-12
• Psalm 2:2
• Romans 13:1-7

Recommended Reading

Commentary Genesis Commentaries → Get This Bible Nuer Bible © Bible Society in South Sudan , Study Bible →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the king of Sodom meeting Abraham?

The king of Sodom likely wanted to meet Abraham to discuss the outcome of the battle and possibly negotiate terms for the safety of his people or territory.

What is the significance of the valley of Shaveh?

The valley of Shaveh, also called the King's Dale, is a significant location where important meetings took place. It symbolizes a neutral ground for negotiations between different leaders.

How does this verse relate to the theme of leadership?

This verse highlights the interaction between two powerful leaders, showing the importance of how leaders interact and negotiate after conflict.

What can we learn about conflict resolution from this verse?

From this verse, we can learn that even after a conflict, leaders meet to discuss terms and outcomes, which is a fundamental aspect of conflict resolution.