The Meaning of Genesis 14:19 Explained

Genesis 14:19

KJV: And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

YLT: and he blesseth him, and saith, 'Blessed is Abram to God Most High, possessing heaven and earth;

Darby: And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the Most High God, possessor of heavens and earth.

ASV: And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And he blessed  him, and said,  Blessed  [be] Abram  of the most high  God,  possessor  of heaven  and earth: 

What does Genesis 14:19 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The God Melchizedek worshipped as a priest was the true God known to him as El Elyon, the possessor of heaven and earth. This title reveals the sovereign power of God. Melchizedek and Abram regarded Abram"s recent victory in battle as due to the blessing of El Elyon.

Context Summary

Genesis 14:13-24 - Abram And Melchizedek
Recently discovered monuments confirm this narrative of the confederacy of the kings, but do not tell of their overthrow. Abram might fairly have left Lot to reap as he had sown, but his soul yearned over his weak and entrapped relative, and he set himself to deliver him. Men of faith and prayer are still able to rescue those who are taken captive by the devil at his will. Faith subdues kingdoms. The moment of success is always one of danger. The king of Sodom insidiously proposed that they should share the spoils! But how could Abram live as a pensioner on God's care, if he feathered his nest with the tainted wealth of Sodom? A previous interview had taken place, which made Abram strong. Melchizedek was king and priest of the tribe which held Jerusalem. Read Hebrews 7:1-28. He brought bread and wine, and a fresh revelation of the character of God, on which Abram rested his soul. What had he to do with Sodom, who was the child of such a Father? Christ always anticipates Satan. See Luke 22:31. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 14

1  The battle of four kings against the king of Sodom and his allies
12  Lot is taken prisoner
14  Abram rescues him
17  Melchizedek blesses Abram, who gives him tithes
21  Abram restores the rest of the spoil to the king of Sodom

What do the individual words in Genesis 14:19 mean?

and he blessed him and said Blessed be Abram of God Most High Possessor of heaven and earth
וַֽיְבָרְכֵ֖הוּ וַיֹּאמַ֑ר בָּר֤וּךְ אַבְרָם֙ לְאֵ֣ל עֶלְי֔וֹן קֹנֵ֖ה שָׁמַ֥יִם וָאָֽרֶץ

וַֽיְבָרְכֵ֖הוּ  and  he  blessed  him 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: בָּרַךְ 
Sense: to bless, kneel.
וַיֹּאמַ֑ר  and  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
בָּר֤וּךְ  Blessed  be 
Parse: Verb, Qal, QalPassParticiple, masculine singular
Root: בָּרַךְ 
Sense: to bless, kneel.
אַבְרָם֙  Abram 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַבְרָם  
Sense: original name of Abraham.
לְאֵ֣ל  of  God 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֵל 
Sense: god, god-like one, mighty one.
עֶלְי֔וֹן  Most  High 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: עֶלְיׄון 
Sense: high, upper.
קֹנֵ֖ה  Possessor 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular construct
Root: קָנָה 
Sense: to get, acquire, create, buy, possess.
שָׁמַ֥יִם  of  heaven 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: שָׁמַיִם  
Sense: heaven, heavens, sky.
וָאָֽרֶץ  and  earth 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.