In the Bible (the Old testament) there are three fathers The first father of all faith is Abraham. We will start by explaining stories about him that were not yet commented on before.
Let’s start with the story of Abraham meeting the King of Saleb – Melchizedek and the King of Sodom
Abram and Melchizedek
The majority of those who know the Bible very well, undoubtedly know everything there is to know about Abraham.
However, there are several stories in the Torah that, when read in Hebrew (or with some Hebrew understanding), are almost unrecognizable!
Today, we’ll share one of these stories with you, in the hope that it would help you better understand Abraham.
Our story takes place in Genesis 14, but in order to understand the events of this chapter, we need to start earlier. We go back at the end of Genesis 11, as we read that Abram’s brother Haran died suddenly, leaving his son Lot an orphan. Was Lot a sweet little boy, a bitter teenager, or a completely grown young man with his own family when his father passed away?
Was Lot’s special friendship with his uncle Abram created during this period of sadness and grief?
Had Abram just become a father to his fatherless nephew?
Had Lot become almost a son to his childless uncle?
We don’t have all the answers, but we do know that in Genesis 12, when Abram left for Canaan in complete obedience to God’s command, he was ready to leave everything and everyone behind.
And took just his very own with him – and his nephew Lot was among Abram’s “very own”:
So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him… Then Abram took Sarah his wife and Lot his brother’s son…
– Geneses 12:4,5
When Abram returns from Egypt, the ‘uncle and nephew bond’ was broken. We read the moment where they part in Genesis 13:6 :
Now the land was not able to support them that they might dwell together.
– Genesis 13:6
True, we read that their possessions were so large that they couldn’t live together, but the reader gets the impression that this fight was about more than just land sharing.
We believe that Abram ultimately gave up, exhausted by their never-ending fights, and pleaded to his “nearly son,” with the words:
“Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren…. Please separate from me…”
– Genesis 13:8
Very soon, Lot finds himself in trouble. The trouble happens in the next chapter when the neighboring kings made war with… (the) king of Sodom and also took Lot, … and departed (Genesis 14:2,12).
The Bible does not tell us how Abraham feels when he learns that his nephew has been held captive; instead, we learn that he pursued the perpetrators as far north as Dan, nearly 300 kilometers from Sodom; that he crushed the enemies at Hobah, north of Damascus; that he freed his nephew and recovered Lot’s possessions; and that he did all of this with 318 of his servants (who served as soldiers in this battle, but clearly were not trained to be soldiers).
An enraged bear guarding her cub is capable of anything, and it appears that Abram’s actions here fall into the same category.
Abraham, as far as we know, was a very peaceful man.
He does not appear to be active in battles like David.
In fact, this is the only occasion we read about him going to battle.
This reveals a lot about him, considering it wasn’t even his battle; he could have easily stayed at home.
Instead, he stands up and runs 300 kilometers to save Lot.
He wins the battle and returns Lot, as well as all the hostages and their belongings.
It must have been a successful comeback!
The rescued captives were overjoyed; Abram himself was overjoyed at God’s amazing victory;
And who then comes and greets him in this triumphant moment?
Greetings
Our story begins here, at the end of Chapter 14.
A Christian reader is familiar with this episode as “Abram and Melchizedek” (many English Bibles even insert this title before Genesis 14 verses 18-20) – but here, in the Valley of Shaveh (“that is, the King’s Valley”, not one, but two kings approach Abram: Bera, king of Sodom, greets him in verse 17, and then Melchizedek, king of Salem, brings out bread and wine and blesses him in verses 18-20.
17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley), after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him.
18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.
– Genesis 14:17,18
Not one, but two kings are there – yet for some reason, this fact, as well as the overall dramatic intensity of the scene, is often overlooked.
Why do these two kings, who symbolize completely opposite values, appear together?
This story becomes much clearer when read in Hebrew, as the meanings of the Hebrew words and names reveal what is truly going on.
The meeting takes place at the Valley of Shaveh, and the Hebrew rootשוה (shaveh) has two basic meanings: equal or worth.
Furthermore, there is an expression in Hebrew: to reach the Valley of Shaveh,להגיע לעמק שווה – which means “to reach a compromise”.
The two kings approach Abram at the same time because this is a test Abram must pass.
Their offerings may appear almost equal, but Abram had to chose “the worthy one.”
“Melchizedek” is a translation of the Hebrew – מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶֿק (malki-tzedek), which means “My king is righteousness.”
And the name Bera (בֶּ-רַע), on the other hand means “with evil” or “in evil.”
Therefore, the Hebrew makes it clear that it was here, in this valley, that Abram had to choose between righteousness and wickedness (or evil).
It was here, in this valley, that Abraham was tested and tempted to compromise his principles, his integrity – his faith. But he chose righteousness.
Melchizedek blesses Abram and God Most High, assuring Abram that it was God who “delivered your opponents into your hands”
And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
– Genesis 14:20
Even though the king of Sodom offers Abram a subtle temptation, thankfully, Abram realizes the truth and Melchizedek’s authority, and rejects Bera’s seduction and temptation, passing yet another test of faith, by giving only to God all the glory!
